General Schuyler, his wife, Catharine Van Rensselaer, and their eight children entertained politicians and leaders of the American Revolution in their Albany home, including Schuyler’s son-in-law, Alexander Hamilton. The family’s comfort and business success depended upon the skilled labor of enslaved men and women, including Will, Diana, Lewis, Tom, Bob, Dick, Lisbon, and Nicholas (called Claas).
Historic records show that the Albany enslaved community was close-knit and interrelated. Will raised two children, Susannah and Herry, with Britt, who was enslaved by the neighboring Ten Broeck family. Albany families separated by slavery would likely have been able to reunite at Pinkster, an annual spring event celebrated in the Hudson River Valley.
Ongoing research into the lives of the enslaved people continues to inform tours at Schuyler Mansion, a New York State historic site.
