Nicholas Van Rensselaer (minister)
| Nicholas van Rensselaer | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 1636 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Died | November 1678 (aged 42) Albany, Province of New York |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Spouse(s) | Alida Schuyler (m. 1675; his death 1678) |
| Parent(s) |
Kiliaen van Rensselaer Anna van Wely |
| Relatives |
Johan van Rensselaer (brother) Jan B. van Rensselaer (brother) Jeremias van Rensselaer (brother) |
Nicholas van Rensselaer (born in Amsterdam in September 1636; died in Albany, New York, in November 1678) was a Reformed Dutch Church clergyman, and one time director of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck.
He was the fourth son of Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1586–1643) and his second wife, Anna van Wely (1601–1670). His father was a Dutch diamond and pearl merchant from Amsterdam who was one of the founders and directors of the Dutch West India Company and was instrumental in the establishment of New Netherland and in 1630, became the first patroon of Rensselaerswyck. His eldest sibling, and the only child to live to adulthood from his father's first marriage to Hillegonda van Bijler, was Johan van Rensselaer (1625–1663), his half-brother. Together, his parents had eight children, including Jan Baptist van Rensselaer (1629–1678), and Jeremias van Rensselaer (1632–1674).
Nicholas was liberally educated in Holland, and studied theology there until his studies were temporarily interrupted when the family sent him to apprentice with a spice merchant. In December 1657, he was with a cloth dealer, but returned to his studies six months later.
In Brussels, he met Charles II of England, who was then in exile. Claiming to have had a premonition, Van Rensselaer predicted that Charles would be restored to the throne. Van Rensselaer's family thought him half mad. He subsequently went to England as chaplain to the Dutch embassy, and the king, recognizing him and recollecting his prediction, gave him a gold snuff box with his likeness in the lid. Van Rensselaer was appointed chaplain to the Dutch ambassador. After the Dutch ambassador left Great Britain, Van Rensselaer was licensed by Charles to preach to the Dutch congregation at Westminster, was ordained a deacon in the English church, and appointed lecturer at St Margaret Lothbury.
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