Peter Schuyler (New Jersey)

Peter Schuyler (1710–1762) was a wealthy Dutch farmer from New Barbadoes Neck (now western Hudson County), New Jersey.

Schuyler was descended from Arent Schuyler of Rensselaerswyck, now (Albany), New York. His father purchased a large tract of land along the shores of the Passaic River where large amounts of copper were discovered and mined at the Schuyler Copper Mine. In order to pump out mines which would fill with water, Schuyler arranged for the first steam engine in North America to be built. Schuyler Avenue, which runs along the eastern edge of the ridge honors the early settlement.

During the French and Indian Wars, Schuyler, a colonel of militia, raised a detachment of volunteer soldiers to fight in the Jersey Blues. Schuyler and his detachment were captured when Fort Oswego surrendered to the French under the command of General Marquis de Montcalm. Schuyler remained a captive in Montreal until he was released. Schuyler later returned to service and ransomed around 114 of his former men from captivity in Quebec with his own money.