Solomon Van Vechten VAN RENSSELAER, Congress, NY (1774-1852)

VAN RENSSELAER, Solomon Van Vechten, (nephew of Killian Killian Van Rensselaer), a Representative from New York; born in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, N.Y., August 6, 1774; completed preparatory studies; entered the United States Army; was promoted to captain of a volunteer company, and later, on January 8, 1799, to major; was mustered out in June 1800; adjutant general of State militia in 1801, 1810, and 1813; served in the War of 1812 as lieutenant colonel of New York Volunteers; elected as a Federalist to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses and served from March 4, 1819, to January 14, 1822, when he resigned; postmaster of Albany, N.Y., 1822-1839 and 1841-1843; delegate from New York at the opening of the Erie Canal November 4, 1825; died near Albany, N.Y., April 23, 1852; interment in North Dutch Church Cemetery, Albany, N.Y.; reinterment in Albany Rural Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present