Nicholas van Rensselaer

Nicholas van Rensselaer (born in Amsterdam in September 1636 – died in Albany, New York, in November 1678) was a Reformed Dutch Church clergyman, and one time director of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck.

Early life

He was the fourth son of Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1586–1643) and his second wife, Anna van Wely (1601–1670). His father was a Dutch diamond and pearl merchant from Amsterdam who was one of the founders and directors of the Dutch West India Company and was instrumental in the establishment of New Netherland and in 1630, became the first patroon of Rensselaerswyck.

His eldest sibling, and the only child to live to adulthood from his father's first marriage to Hillegonda van Bijler, was Johan van Rensselaer (1625–1663), his half-brother. Together, his parents had eight children, including Jan Baptist van Rensselaer (1629–1678), and Jeremias van Rensselaer (1632–1674).

Nicholas was liberally educated in Holland, and studied theology there until his studies were temporarily interrupted when the family sent him to apprentice with a spice merchant. In December 1657, he was with a cloth dealer, but returned to his studies six months later.

Career In Brussels, he met Charles II of England, who was then in exile. Claiming to have had a premonition, Van Rensselaer predicted that Charles would be restored to the throne. Van Rensselaer's family thought him half mad. He subsequently went to England as chaplain to the Dutch embassy, and the king, recognizing him and recollecting his prediction, gave him a gold snuff box with his likeness in the lid. Van Rensselaer was appointed chaplain to the Dutch ambassador.

After the Dutch ambassador left Great Britain, Van Rensselaer was licensed by Charles to preach to the Dutch congregation at Westminster, was ordained a deacon in the English church, and appointed lecturer at St Margaret Lothbury.

New Netherland In 1674, after the end of the Third Anglo-Dutch War when Edmund Andros was commissioned governor of New Netherland, Van Rensselaer accompanied him to North America, remarks concerning original sin, and proceeded to criticize him for not being orthodox. Van Rensselaer complained to the Albany Court that in misrepresenting his sermons, Leisler had alienated the congregation and that the preaching and talents of the Dominie had been brought into contempt.

The Dominie was ordered to post a bond, and when he refused was order confined to his house. He then sent Stephanus Van Cortlandt, (the brother-in-law of his then deceased brother, Jeremias) to represent him before Governor Andros in New York. The Governor's Council ordered both sides to post bond. Leisler failed to furnish the bond that was required of him, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and the churches and people were thrown into a ferment. At last, a court was held at Albany before which Van Rensselaer and Nieuwenhuysen appeared with papers and witnesses. After a review of the whole case, they were told by order of the governor "to be reconciled according to Christian love and duty." The court ordered the parties to "forgive and forget," and that Leisler and Milborne pay the whole costs, since they gave occasion for the differences.

Van Rensselaer again resumed his charge, but a year later he was refused a seat among the elders. It was resolved that he have a suitable one behind the magistrates. In 1677, Nicholas van Rensselaer was removed from the ministry by Governor Andros. The Rensselaers in Holland hoped their brother's connections with the British royal family would help secure the patent for the Rensselaerwyck holdings. Nonetheless, this appointment caused some consternation among their American counterparts and the widow of Jeremias, Maria (van Cortlandt) van Rensselaer, became treasurer, and her brother, Stephanus, became bookkeeper. Together, they had nine children, including Philip Livingston and Robert Livingston.