Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr.
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Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr. (August 29, 1762 - July 13, 1848) 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 (later Rutgers 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 1811 and 1812 he was a member of the New York State Assembly, and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Twelfth 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. Interment was in Hillside Cemetery.
