The Van Rensselaer Family

Philip Sanders Van Rensselaer (1801-1882 )and family came from Albany, New York to Put In Bay, Ottawa County, about 1836. He is a direct descendant of Jeremias Van Rensselaer who came from Amsterdam, Holland, about 1638 and settled on a tract of land along the Hudson River, part of which is now the site of Albany, New York.

Philip Van Renssalaer was the agent for the Edwards Family of Connecticut, who owned the Lake Erie Islands. His journal from the years 1838 - 1842 was handed down through the family and donated to the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society in 2002 by his descendant, Dan Thomas, who also provided the following genealogy.

Put-in-Bay & Catawba Townships were briefly named Van Renssalaer Township in Philip’s honor when they transferred from Huron to Ottawa County.

Philip S. Van Rensselaer Genealogy

1. Philip S. Van Rensselaer 1801 – 1882 m. 1st Harriet M. Morehouse 1801 – 1847

       2. Anna Van Rensselaer
       2. Catherine Van Rensselaer m. Francis Cooper
       2. James M. Van Rensselaer 1821 – 1890 m. Esther Barnard

               3. John Van Rensselaer
               3. Elsie Van Rensselaer

       2. Peter S. Van Rensselaer 1826 – 1903 m. Jane Depew 1828 - 1874

               3. Mary E. Van Rensselaer 1850 – 1870 m. J. L. Kirk
               3. William D. Van Rensselaer 1851 – m. Clara Ransome
               3. Florence A. Van Rensselaer 1854 – m. Simon T. Hazen
               3. John S. Van Rensselaer 1855 – m. Sarah Cotterell
               3. George P. Van Rensselaer 1857 – m. Mattie L. Search
               3. James L. Van Rensselaer 1860 – 1938 m. Lucy A. Oliver 1863 - 1956
               3. Ella A. Van Rensselaer 1860 – m. Charles J. Love
               3. Martha J. Van Rensselaer 1863 – m. Wilson T. Brewer
               3. Edith C. Van Rensselaer 1866 – 1961 m. George Edwilder
               3. Roy S. Van Rensselaer 1871 –

       2. John B. Van Rensselaer 1827 – 1903 m. Eliza Marston 1831 - 1909

               3. Sarah J. Van Rensselaer1851 - 1878
               3. Sanders M. Van Rensselaer m. Charlotte J. Whitney

1. Philip S. Van Rensselaer m. 2nd Martha Hoxie

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