The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NY
Qualifying Service: Brigadier General
Birth: 01 Sep 1749 / / NY Death: 05 Nov 1831 Croton / Westchester / NY
Qualifying Service Description:
2nd Regt, NY Line; served as Lieutenant Colonel and was mustered out of the service with rank of Brigadier General for gallant conduct at the siege of Yorktown
Additional References:
DAR - TREAT AS NEW ANCESTOR
NARA M881. Compiled service records of soldiers who served in the American Army during the Rev War, 1775-1783
Spouse: Catherine De Peyster Children: Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Author: James Edward Mitchell
Philip Van Cortlandt’s parents were Col Pierre Van Cortlandt and his wife, a 2nd cousin, Johanna Livingston, a daughter of Gilbert Livingston, a son of mechanical engineer Robert Livingston of New York (NY). Pierre Van Cortlandt was a much respected American Patriot as Lieut Gov of the State of NY and a President of the NY Convention that formed the Constitution during the Revolutionary War. Philip’s brothers and sisters were Catherine VanWyck (1751-1829); Cornelia Beekman (1753-1847); Gilbert (1757-1786) a Capt Van Cortlandt’s 2nd (NY) Rgt. in 1776; Stephen (1760-1775) with (NY) provincial military service prior to his death; Pierre, Jr (1762-1848) m. Catherine Clinton Taylor (d. Jan 1811) a daughter of NY governor and later, Vice Pres., George Clinton; and, Anne Van Rensselaer (1766-1855), who m. Philip Van Rensselaer (d. Sep 1824) mayor of Albany, NY.
Philip was born 21 Aug 1749 in NY City and he died 21 Nov 1831. At an early age Philip was schooled at Coldenham Academy, NY and graduated during 1768 at age 19, from King’s College (Columbia Univ.) in New York City. Afterward, Philip returned to his Westchester County home where he owned a sizable tract of land and was a civil engineer and a representative of the Provincial Congress (1775) before accepting a military commission at the start of the Revolutionary War; source, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=V000022
Philip Van Cortlandt was commissioned a LieutCol at Westchester County, initially during 1775 within the New England provincial forces. These American forces were organized by Gen’l George Washington into 3 divisions, 6 brigades and 38 rgts. MajGen’l Philip Schuyler’s 10 (NY) rgts. were marched to invade Canada; source, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Army
Philip Van Cortlandt was commissioned a Colonel prior to 5 Oct 1776. A printed Return posted at Mount Washington inscribed with commissioned officers by number, names of captains and total numbers of staff, non-commissioned with rank and file dated above, was found recorded for Van Cortlandt’s Rgt. of Foot. For a complete list of commissioned officers, soldiers and staff see the publication, New York in the Revolution as Colony and State: The Line – Second Regiment by James A, Roberts, Comptroller 2nd Edition, 1898, published at Albany, NY by Brandow Printing Company, pg 29.
After his (NY) regimental participation during Oct 1781 under division commander, MajGen’l Lafayette during the Yorktown campaign, Philip Van Cortland mustered out of military service as a BrigGen’l.
Philip Van Cortlandt returned to his Westchester County, NY home; served in 1788 as a NY State ratification convention and, as supervisor of the Town of Cortlandt; served as school commissioner; appointed road viewers; elected to the NY State assembly between 1788 and 1790; and, he served in the NY State senate between 1791 and 1793. Philip politically campaigned for a NY seat for the 3rd U.S. Congress and he was elected. He was re-elected NY State senator successively between 1793 and 1809. He retired to Van Cortlandt Manor at Croton on Hudson at Westchester County, NY where he engaged in overseeing his farm; see, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=V000022
Philip was one of 35 chartering members of the Society of the Cincinnati for military officers with service in the Revolutionary War; and, he served as Treasurer of the New York Society prior to his death on 21 Nov 1831 at age 82.
He was recorded unmarried and without issue during the probate of a will at Court in Westchester County, NY. Philip was buried at Hillside/Assumption Cemetery mapped at 1033 Oregon Road (Peekskill) NY; Latitude: 41.316016 and Longitude: -73.895453; see, Find A Grave Memorial# 13251140.
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