Peter van Schaack
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Peter van Schaack was a lawyer, born in March 1747 in Kinderhook, New York. He died in Kinderhook, New York in September, 1768. Peter studied at Columbia University. He was a loyalist, opposed to the American Revolution. He founded his opposition in a belief that the colonies were part of the British Empire, that Parliament had the authority to pass laws, and that Britain had the right to collect taxes. Furthermore, he believed that the colonies would only fight among themselves if they became independent. He left the country to Great Britain in 1778, and lived there for seven years. During his time abroad he worked behind the scenes to help the new country and Great Britain make amends. He returned to this country, and to practising law.
