In May 1775, Peter Van Schaack moved to Kinderhook in search of relief from the growing turmoil of New York City and out of concern for the health of his family. His hopes, however, were dashed. He resumed his legal practice in Kinderhook and soon took on the representation of people who had claims to press for the seizure of their property by radicals. A Committee of Correspondence from Pittsfield, Massachusetts quickly censured him for representing “Tories” against “Friends of the Country.” His correspondence was opened by the order of the Provincial Congress, and read publicly in Albany.