Catherine Van Rensselaer

Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler (; also known as "Kitty", November 10, 1734 – March 7, 1803) was a Colonial and post-Colonial American socialite and the matriarch of the prominent colonial Schuyler family as wife of Philip Schuyler.

Early life Kitty was born in 1734 to Col. Johannes Van Rensselaer (1708–1783), called the "Patroon of Greenbush," and Engeltie "Angelica" Livingston (1698–1747). As a child, she was known as "The Morning Star."

Life Kitty was once described as "a lady of great beauty, shape and gentility" and was subject to a number of suitors in the future.

Kitty's husband, Philip Schuyler, was known as a man of great wealth and intelligence as he commanded a militia in the French and Indian War and still managed to assume ownership of the large estate given to him by his father. Kitty was known as "a capable wife, mother..., and manager of the extensive Schuyler household of servants, slaves, and hired hands." Together, Philip and Catherine had fifteen children, eight of whom survived to adulthood:

Angelica Schuyler (1756–1814), who married John Barker Church (1748–1818), later a British MP. Elizabeth Schuyler (1757–1854), who married Alexander Hamilton (1755/7–1804), later the first Secretary of the Treasury. Elizabeth co-founded the first orphanage in New York City. Margarita "Peggy" Schuyler (1758–1801), who married Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764–1839), 8th Patroon. Cornelia (1761–1762). Unnamed Son Schuyler, Twin to Cornelia (1761–1761). John Bradstreet Schuyler (1763–1764). Philip Jeremiah Schuyler (1768–1835), who married first, Sarah Rutsen (d. 1805), and after her death, Mary Anna Sawyer. Philip served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Triplets (1770–1770, Unbaptized). Cornelia Schuyler (1776–1808), who married Washington Morton. Cortlandt Schuyler (1778–1778).

Catherine died of a stroke in March 1803 at the age of 68.