However, his father died in 1769 when van Rensselaer was only five.

Little is known about van Rensselaer's death, and sources even disagree on the year.

Van Rensselaer married twice and had at least eleven children.

Van Rensselaer was also a member of this group.

Van Rensselaer built a grist mill in 1836 or 1837.

Van Rensselaer predicted to him that he would be restored to the throne.

Van Rensselaer's efforts in the department gained much attention from those in the women's rights movement.

Van Rensselaer again resumed his charge, but a year later he was refused a seat among the elders.

Van Rensselaer's death in 1839 was another setback for the Institute.

It is believed that the system of patroonships was originally suggested by van Rensselaer himself.