Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr.

Who was Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr.?

Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr. was a United States Representative from New York. A member of New York's Van Cortlandt family, he was the son of Pierre Van Cortlandt, an early New York political figure, and brother of Philip Van Cortlandt, who was also a U.S. Representative from New York. Pierre Van Cortlandt was born at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton, Westchester County. He pursued classical studies and was graduated from Queen's College in 1783. He studied law in the office of Alexander Hamilton and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice. He retired from his law practice and devoted his time managing his estate in Westchester County.

In 1792, 1794 and 1795, he was a member of the New York State Assembly, and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Twelfth United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1811 to March 3, 1813.

Van Cortlandt married Catherine Clinton, daughter of eventual Vice President of the United States George Clinton. Van Cortlandt was a presidential elector on the Harrison ticket in 1840; he also founded and was president of the Westchester County Bank at Peekskill from 1833 until his death there in 1848. He resided at Van Cortlandt Upper Manor House from after 1783 until his death. Interment was in Hillside Cemetery.