Robert Sands Schuyler


Robert Sands Schuyler, often written as R. S. Schuyler and occasionally as R. V. Schuyler, was a New York architect, designer and religious leader who moved to Florida and joined political, religious, and civil organizations on Amelia Island. He served as Clerk of the City of Fernandina, was Chair of the Fernandina Library Association when it was established in 1891, and was a lay reader at the Santa Fe, Florida, Episcopal congregation.

Early life

Schuyler was born in New York City on March 6, 1830. He was educated and married in Troy, New York He was the son of Robert Schuyler and Lucinda Wood Schuyler.
His paternal grandparents were Philip Jeremiah Schuyler, a U.S. Representative, and Sarah Rutsen. His grandfather was the son of Philip Schuyler, a Revolutionary War General and U.S. Senator, and Catherine Van Rensselaer, a member of the prominent Van Rensselaer family.

Career

During the U.S. Civil War, he served in the Union cavalry.
In 1881, Schuyler and his wife moved to Florida, joining prominent political, religious, and civil organizations on Amelia Island. He served as Clerk of the City of Fernandina, was Chair of the Fernandina Library Association when it was established in 1891, and was a lay reader at the Santa Fe, Florida, Episcopal congregation.

Carpenter Gothic churches

He designed churches in Santa Fe, Fairbanks, and Waldo, many in the Carpenter Gothic style. Carpenter Gothic architecture was developed by Richard Upjohn, whom Episcopal Bishop John Freeman Young of Florida had known while he was an assistant rector of Trinity Church in New York City. St. John's served as a model for various churches in Waldo, Fairbanks, as well as the St. Paul's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Pablo Beach which Schuyler designed in 1887. In Santa Fe, Schuyler designed St. John's Chapel on land donated by E.B. Ewing.

Buildings in Fernandina Beach

He is credited with the Fairbanks House, the Tabby House
, and the Marcellus Williams Marcellus Williams House Williams House, all on Amelia Island's Fernandina Beach in Nassau County, Florida. The Fairbanks House belonged to George Rainsford Fairbanks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Works

Personal life

In 1864, Schuyler was married to Caroline E. Acker.
Schuyler died in Fernandina, Florida on July 24, 1895.