Philip Kiliaen van Rensselaer

Philip Kiliaen van Rensselaer (May 19, 1747 – March 3, 1798) was the second son of Colonel Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Ariaantie (Schuyler). He was a merchant by trade, and his experience in transporting cargo may have helped qualify him as keeper of the Albany arsenal. He was variously referred to as storekeeper, military storekeeper and Commissary for the Northern Department. Life He was appointed as keeper of the store in 1775 and the appointment was confirmed by the Continental Congress. He was also a member of the Committee of Public Safety of Albany. During the American Revolution, armourers were scarce. This is evident in George Washington's handwritten orders in a letter addressed to him. The letter also includes a list of his duties, such as arranging the repair of service muskets and transporting the overload. He was elected in May 1776 to the Albany Committee of Correspondence, second ward. Philip sat alongside his father and at least one of his brothers, Nicholas. Philip continued serving on that committee until it was dissolved. He was elected alderman for the second ward of Albany in 1782. van Rensselaer leased a tavern five miles west of the Hudson as he developed the Cherry Hill farm.