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The House
The Land
The People
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The House
Anthony Van Schaick Built the House
The Van Schaick Mansion was the home of Anthony Van Schaick, built between 1735 and1755, on a section of the "Half Moon" patent.
There is evidence that the family of Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick had an earlier, wooden house on the property, just to the south of the present mansion.
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Architecture of the House
Anthony had the house built, it is said, with Holland made brick as facings on the inside and outside of the walls, the space between being filled with brick made on the premises by his slaves.
However, architecturial historians now believe that the “belting” around the base of the house is the only bricking that came from Holland. Certainly the walls are unusually heavy. 
The arrangement of the house is somewhat different from most other houses of this time, but is not unique. The Van Courtlandt Manor house at Croton-on-Hudson is built in this
same style. The first floor is, in a sense, a basement with the main or ground floor a little above this ground level and with still another floor and an attic above this.
The kitchen was in the basement and had a huge hearth. The baking was done in a stone bake oven just to the side of the hearth that jutted out of the foundation.
The main floor is entered at the front through the original, horizontally divided front door, giving into a spacious hall which divides the house. On each side are two large rooms
with smaller rooms. Much of the mantel in the front room at the north side is a fine example of hand carving. One of the rooms on the second floor had a small door cut
through the exterior wall and over it an iron beam protruded. To this a hoist was fastened to haul up, for storage, the pelts and other merchandise handled. The door
opening has now been filled with brick but its outline is readily seen. Porches have been added at the front and rear of the house and other superficial changes made, but
essentially it is as originally constructed.
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The Land
Part of the “Half Moon” patent
The "Half Moon" patent was granted jointly to Goosen Gerritsen Van Schaick and Philip Pieterse Schuyler on September 11, 1665. The original patent, confirming an Indian grant, included all the
land lying between the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers.
It embraced the several islands at this point, which divide the "sprouts" or mouths of the Mohawk River. The site of the Van Schaick mansion is on one of these islands. The patent also included the site of the present town of Waterford.
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The People
Philip Pieterse Schuyler transferred his interest in the Half Moon Patent to Goosen Gerritsen Van Schaick in 1674. It is assumed that Goosen Gerritsen Van Schaick, the original Hollander,
never resided on Van Schaick Island, however there was a wooden house south of the mansion that his family used.
He died in 1676 and willed the land to his wife from whom it passed to their son, Anthony G. Van Schaick (1655 - 1737).
Anthony the mansion builder, made a reservation in his will for a cemetery on his property. At least 50 Van Schaicks and their relatives are buried in the cemetery a short distance north of the
house. Other relatives of the Van Schaick family including “our” General Peter Gansevoort, are buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, NY.
John G. Van Schaick and his wife Anna (both cousins to our Catherine) were hosts at the house during the battle revolutionary period. John and Anna were third cousins, both decendents of Goosen Gerritsen
Van Schaick. However, it was Anna that was the heiress of the mansion, which had been built by her great grandfather, Anthony. John’s sister, Catherine Van Schaick, and Colonel Peter Gansevoort were
later married in this house January 12, 1778 shortly after the Revolutionary War battle at Fort Stanwix from which Peter was rescued, and the battle at Saratoga was won. The mansion remained in the Van
Schaick family into the early 20th century. The last Van Schaick resident was Mrs. William L. Adams whose first husband was Gerald Van Schaick.
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Revolutionary War Events
In this house-
John G. Van Schaick (the third generation in America) loaned $10,000.00 in gold to General Gates, with the influence of General Schuyler, on August 19, 1777 for the purchase of military
supplies. In return, Van Schaick was given Continental script. This script was never redeemed as Congress took the position that General Gates had no authority to borrow the money.
We have an original script note on display in the mansion.
The location of the Revolutionary camp was at the top of the hill, just behind the house, and it was from this place that Learned’s brigade, under the command of Benedict Arnold, went to the aid of
Colonel Peter Gansevoort at
Fort Schuyler (Stanwick) at what is now Rome, NY. Catherine Van Schaick must have been intensely concerned with the ultimate success or failure of this expedition for it was going to the relief of her lover. She and Colonel Peter Gansevoort were later married in this house.
General Schuyler turned over his command to General Gates who complained about accepting the command of such an illfed, poorly clad army (see Gates letter below). Governor Clinton came to Camp Van
Schaick for a war council to plan for battle. This was from August 22nd to 25th, 1777. On September 8, the Continental Army moved from Van Schaick Island and Peebles Island to Stillwater and Bemis
Heights where the battle of Saratoga was fought.
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General Gates’ Report August 1777
The following letter from General Gates to His Excellency, George Washington
Headquarters,
Van Schaick Island,
August 22, 1777.
Sir,
Upon my arrival in this department I found the main body of
the Army encamped upon Van Schaick Island which is made by the sprouts of the Mohawk River joining with the Hudson River
nine miles north of Albany. A brigade under General Poor is encamped at Loudon’s Ferry, on the south bank of the Mohawk River, five miles from hence: a brigade under General Lincoln had joined Gen. Stark at Bennington and a brigade under General Arnold marched the 15th inst. to join the militia of Tryon County to raise the siege of Fort Stanwick. Upon leaving Philadelphia, the prospect this way appeared very gloomy, but the severe checks the enemy have met with at Bennington and Tryon County (Oriskany) have given a more pleasing view to public affairs. Particular accounts of the signal victory gained by General Stark and the severe blow General Herkimer gave Sir John Johnson and the scalpers under his command, have been transmitted to your Excellency by General Schuyler. I anxiously expect the arrival of an express from General Arnold with an account of the total defeat of the enemy in that quarter. By my calculations he reached Fort Stanwick the day before yesterday. Colonels Livingston’s and Courtland’s regiments arrived yesterday and immediately joined General Poor’s Division. I shall also order General Arnold, upon his return, to march to that post. I cannot sufficiently thank your Excellency for sending Colonel Morgan’s corps to this army. They will be of the greatest service to it for until the late successes this way I am told the army were quite panic struck by the Indians and their Tory and Canadian assassins in Indian dressers. Horrible indeed have been the cruelties they have wantonly committed upon many of the miserable inhabitants, inasmuch as it is not fair for General Burgoyne, even if the bloody hatchet he has so barbarously used should find its way into his own head. Governor Clinton will be here today. Upon his arrival I shall consult with him and General Lincoln upon the best plan to distress, and I hope, finally defeat the enemy. I am sorry to be necessitated to acquaint your Excellency how neglectful your orders have been executed at Springfield few of the militia demanded are yet arrived, but I hear of great numbers upon the march. Your Excellency’s advice in regard to Morgan’s corps, etc. shall be carefully observed. My scouts and spies inform me that the enemy headquarters and main body are at Saratoga, and that lately they have been repairing the bridges between that place and Stillwater. As soon as time and circumstances will admit, I shall send your Excellency a general return of this army. I am, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant.
(Signed) HORATIO GATES
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