Schuyler likely worked on personal, political, and military business from this room, perhaps from a round-about chair like the one on display, designed for writing [read about the green round-about chair]. Around the room you will see objects reflecting his many and varied careers, including maps indicating his work as New York State Surveyor; papers and currency indicating his business affairs as manager of a 20,000 acre industrial estate in Saratoga County; and maps, letters, and sword as tokens of his military career, during which he served first during the French and Indian War under the command of John Bradstreet, and then during the American Revolution as Major General under the command of George Washington. Throughout, and even after his military service, Philip Schuyler was operating a "Cabinet Noir" and spy network out of Albany. He was writing encoded letters, reading the majority of mail that was sent through Albany, and had agents, including some masquerading as Loyalists, who would report back to him with sensitive information, which was used to gain advantage in several battles throughout the Revolution. [Philip wasn't the only Schuyler interested in military intelligence; read about Angelica and women's military activity]. The
painting above the mantel is of the Cahoes Falls just North of Albany on the Mohawk river. These were an obstacle to early water travel on the Mohawk, which inspired Philip to orchestrate a canal system to Lake Ontario as founder
and president of the Northern and Western Inland Lock and Navigation Company.
Though the Library was a private study, Philip occasionally invited guests, including John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, into this space for conversation, study, or to view his papers, all the while attended by servants bound to the family. [Read about Lewis, Schuyler's coachman who served Benjamin Franklin on one such visit] Alexander Hamilton used Philip’s library to study for his bar exams beginning in 1782. A young Aaron Burr also received such an invitation after establishing his law firm in Albany. Conversations in the library could continue well into the night, with the enslaved bringing in regular refreshments and tending to the candles as the evening wore on with discussions of politics, military affairs, business, or horticulture.
As You Exit :
You will pass through the Back Hall
Right will bring you to the Central Hall
Straight ahead, you will find the Dining Room
Left will bring you upstairs into the Salon
Other Rooms:
Best Parlor
Yellow Parlor
Blue Chamber (Upstairs)
Yellow Chamber (Upstairs)
Green Chamber (Upstairs)
As You Exit :
You will pass through the Back Hall
Right will bring you to the Central Hall
Straight ahead, you will find the Dining Room
Left will bring you upstairs into the Salon
Other Rooms:
Best Parlor
Yellow Parlor
Blue Chamber (Upstairs)
Yellow Chamber (Upstairs)
Green Chamber (Upstairs)
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