Kiliaen Van Rensselaer
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Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (1595 - 1644) was a Dutch colonist and merchant who was heavily involved in the Colonial American trade market. He was a originally a diamond and pearl merchant and in 1621 was a founding member of the Dutch West India Company. Van Rensselaer purchased the largest patroonship in the New Netherlands colony. He never visited his estate himself but sent his cousin Arent Van Curler as manager. The estate covered most of modern Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia counties in New York State.
Several of his relatives have born the same name.