Historic Cherry Hill,

Source: Dictionary of American Biography / Allen Johnson ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1943.

Steven Van Rensselaer was the eighth and final patroon. He inherited the vast Van Rensselaer estate in 1769 and after an education at Harvard, moved into the Cherry Hill manor house in 1785. In 1783 he married Margaret Schuyler, daughter of General Philip Schuyler.

Van Rensselaer was active in the New York State Militia and commanded an expedition in the Niagara Frontier in the War of 1812. The expedition resulted in defeat and Van Rensselaer resigned his commission as Major-General.

Van Rensselaer was active in politics and served in the New York State Assembly and Senate as well as lieutenant governor. He was a member of the first and second canal commissions and served as Chancellor of the State Board of Regents. In 1824 he founded what was to become Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N.Y.

As an owner of large tracts of land and as a member of one of the State's most prominent and powerful families, Van Rensselaer had many activities and interests in economic, cultural, and political areas. He was a candidate for Governor of New York State twice and served in the United States House of Representatives. He managed the extensive Van Rensselaer estate and made major contributions to cultural and educational efforts in the state.

From the description of Stephen Van Rensselaer Military Papers, 1812-1816. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155402025