Robert Livingston the Elder
Encyclopedia
Robert Livingston the Elder (December 13, 1654 – October 1, 1728) was a New York colonial
official, and first lord of Livingston Manor
. He married Alida Schuyler (widow of Nicholas Van Rensselaer) in 1679. He was the father of nine children, including Philip
, Robert
and Gilbert. He was also uncle of Robert Livingston the Younger
, grandfather of Philip Livingston
and William Livingston
.
, in the County of Roxburgh
, Scotland
, one of seven children of the Reverend John Livingston, a lineal descendant of the fourth Lord Livingston, ancestor of the earls of Linlithgow
and Callendar, a minister
of the Church of Scotland
, who was sent into exile
in 1663 due to his resistance to attempts to turn the Presbyterian national church
into an Episcopalian
institution. The exiled family were raised in Rotterdam
, in the Dutch Republic
, thus Robert Livingston was fluent in the Dutch language
, which helped him greatly in his later career in the former Dutch colony of New Netherland
.
to find his fortune in North America
. Livingston moved to Albany, New York
where he became wealthy in the fur trade
, and then obtained a patent to 160,000 acres (650 km²) that would become Livingston Manor in Columbia
and Dutchess County.
With his brother-in-law Peter Schuyler, he led the opposition in Albany to Leisler's Rebellion
. He served as Secretary for Indian Affairs from 1695 until his death. In 1696, he backed Captain William Kidd
's privateer voyage on the Adventure Galley. He served as a representative to the New York provincial assembly in 1709–1711 and 1716–1725 and was elected speaker in 1718.
. One of the Van Cortlandts' daughters married Albany
Mayor Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer. Mrs. Van Cortlandt's sister-in-law married the great-grandson of New York Colony Governor Peter Stuyvesant
. They were grandparents to New York
Governor Hamilton Fish
. Another daughter of Gilbert Livingston named Margaret Livingston married Peter Stuyvesant (1727–1805) also a great-grandson of Peter Stuyvesant
. Their son Nicholas William Stuyvesant (1769–1833) married Catherine Livingston Reade, who was also a great-granddaughter of Gilbert Livingston.
Another relation was niece Catherine Schuyler, married into the De Peyster family; her son was loyalist
Arent Schuyler De Peyster. Arent's nephew, Abraham De Peyster, was a loyalist
Officer
who served with the King's American Regiment and was at Battle of King's Mountain; Abraham was married to Catherine Livingston, a granddaughter of Philip Livingston
(1686–1749, and 2nd Lord of the Manor).
Notable descendants include Presidents of the United States
George H. W. Bush
and George W. Bush
, the entire Fish and Kean families, First Lady
Eleanor Roosevelt
, First Lady of New York Anna Morton
, actors Montgomery Clift
and Michael Douglas
, actress Jane Wyatt
, poet Robert Lowell
, cinematographer Floyd Crosby
, his son David Crosby
, author Wolcott Gibbs
, and almost the entire Astor family
.
His will provided for the establishment of the Livingston Memorial Church and Burial Ground
. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1985.
Province of New York
The Province of New York was an English and later British crown territory that originally included all of the present U.S. states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Vermont, along with inland portions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine, as well as eastern Pennsylvania...
official, and first lord of Livingston Manor
Livingston Manor
This article contains information related to Livingston Manor, the 18th century New York estate. Livingston Manor, New York is a town in Sullivan County...
. He married Alida Schuyler (widow of Nicholas Van Rensselaer) in 1679. He was the father of nine children, including Philip
Philip Livingston (1686-1749)
Philip Livingston was an American politician.He was born in Albany, New York in his father's town house. Upon the death of his father, Robert Livingston the Elder, he became the Secretary of Indian Affairs, as well as the second Lord of Livingston Manor. He was a member of the Provincial Council...
, Robert
Robert Livingston (1688-1775)
Robert Livingston of New York, known as Robert of Clermont, son of Robert Livingston the Elder and father of Robert Livingston . He married Margaret Howarden in 1717...
and Gilbert. He was also uncle of Robert Livingston the Younger
Robert Livingston the Younger
Robert Livingston the Younger was the mayor of Albany, New York from 1710 to 1719. He was the son of James Livingston and nephew of Robert Livingston the Elder. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to America from Rotterdam in 1687 and in 1697 married Margareta Schuyler, the daughter of Pieter...
, grandfather of Philip Livingston
Philip Livingston
Philip Livingston was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of Independence.-Family history:...
and William Livingston
William Livingston
William Livingston served as the Governor of New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War and was a signer of the United States Constitution.-Early life:...
.
Early life
He was born in the village of Ancrum, near JedburghJedburgh
Jedburgh is a town and former royal burgh in the Scottish Borders and historically in Roxburghshire.-Location:Jedburgh lies on the Jed Water, a tributary of the River Teviot, it is only ten miles from the border with England and is dominated by the substantial ruins of Jedburgh Abbey...
, in the County of Roxburgh
Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, one of seven children of the Reverend John Livingston, a lineal descendant of the fourth Lord Livingston, ancestor of the earls of Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
and Callendar, a minister
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
, who was sent into exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
in 1663 due to his resistance to attempts to turn the Presbyterian national church
National church
National church is a concept of a Christian church associated with a specific ethnic group or nation state. The idea was notably discussed during the 19th century, during the emergence of modern nationalism....
into an Episcopalian
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
institution. The exiled family were raised in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, in the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
, thus Robert Livingston was fluent in the Dutch language
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
, which helped him greatly in his later career in the former Dutch colony of New Netherland
New Netherland
New Netherland, or Nieuw-Nederland in Dutch, was the 17th-century colonial province of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories were the lands from the Delmarva Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod...
.
Career
Following the death of his father in 1673, Robert Livingston returned to Scotland and then sailed for BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to find his fortune in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Livingston moved to Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
where he became wealthy in the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
, and then obtained a patent to 160,000 acres (650 km²) that would become Livingston Manor in Columbia
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
and Dutchess County.
With his brother-in-law Peter Schuyler, he led the opposition in Albany to Leisler's Rebellion
Leisler's Rebellion
Leisler's Rebellion was an uprising in late 17th century colonial New York, in which German American merchant and militia captain Jacob Leisler seized control of the colony's south and ruled it from 1689 to 1691. The uprising took place in the aftermath of Britain's Glorious Revolution and the...
. He served as Secretary for Indian Affairs from 1695 until his death. In 1696, he backed Captain William Kidd
William Kidd
William "Captain" Kidd was a Scottish sailor remembered for his trial and execution for piracy after returning from a voyage to the Indian Ocean. Some modern historians deem his piratical reputation unjust, as there is evidence that Kidd acted only as a privateer...
's privateer voyage on the Adventure Galley. He served as a representative to the New York provincial assembly in 1709–1711 and 1716–1725 and was elected speaker in 1718.
Family and descendants
Livingston's son Gilbert was married to Cornelia Beekman (a granddaughter of Schenectady Mayor Wilhelm Beekman). Their daughter married New York Lt. Governor Pierre Van CortlandtPierre Van Cortlandt
Pierre Van Cortlandt was the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York.He was born in New York, the son of Philip Van Cortlandt and Catherine DePeyster...
. One of the Van Cortlandts' daughters married Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
Mayor Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer. Mrs. Van Cortlandt's sister-in-law married the great-grandson of New York Colony Governor Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant , served as the last Dutch Director-General of the colony of New Netherland from 1647 until it was ceded provisionally to the English in 1664, after which it was renamed New York...
. They were grandparents to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Governor Hamilton Fish
Hamilton Fish
Hamilton Fish was an American statesman and politician who served as the 16th Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary of State. Fish has been considered one of the best Secretary of States in the United States history; known for his judiciousness and reform efforts...
. Another daughter of Gilbert Livingston named Margaret Livingston married Peter Stuyvesant (1727–1805) also a great-grandson of Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant , served as the last Dutch Director-General of the colony of New Netherland from 1647 until it was ceded provisionally to the English in 1664, after which it was renamed New York...
. Their son Nicholas William Stuyvesant (1769–1833) married Catherine Livingston Reade, who was also a great-granddaughter of Gilbert Livingston.
Another relation was niece Catherine Schuyler, married into the De Peyster family; her son was loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
Arent Schuyler De Peyster. Arent's nephew, Abraham De Peyster, was a loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
Officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
who served with the King's American Regiment and was at Battle of King's Mountain; Abraham was married to Catherine Livingston, a granddaughter of Philip Livingston
Philip Livingston
Philip Livingston was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of Independence.-Family history:...
(1686–1749, and 2nd Lord of the Manor).
Notable descendants include Presidents of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
and George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, the entire Fish and Kean families, First Lady
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
, First Lady of New York Anna Morton
Anna Morton
Anna Livingston Reade Street Morton was the second wife of United States Vice President Levi P. Morton. She was known as Anna Street Morton.Anna married Morton in 1873, and they had five daughters together...
, actors Montgomery Clift
Montgomery Clift
Edward Montgomery Clift was an American film and stage actor. The New York Times’ obituary noted his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men"....
and Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas
Michael Kirk Douglas is an American actor and producer, primarily in movies and television. He has won three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards; first as producer of 1975's Best Picture, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and as Best Actor in 1987 for his role in Wall Street. Douglas received the...
, actress Jane Wyatt
Jane Wyatt
Jane Waddington Wyatt was an American actress perhaps best known for her role as the housewife and mother on the television comedy Father Knows Best, and as Amanda Grayson, the human mother of Spock on the science fiction television series Star Trek...
, poet Robert Lowell
Robert Lowell
Robert Traill Spence Lowell IV was an American poet, considered the founder of the confessional poetry movement. He was appointed the sixth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress where he served from 1947 until 1948...
, cinematographer Floyd Crosby
Floyd Crosby
Floyd Delafield Crosby, A.S.C. was an American cinematographer.Crosby was born and raised in West Philadelphia, the son of Julia Floyd and Frederick Van Schoonhoven Crosby...
, his son David Crosby
David Crosby
David Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
, author Wolcott Gibbs
Wolcott Gibbs
Wolcott Gibbs was an American editor, humorist, theatre critic, playwright and author of short stories, who worked for The New Yorker magazine from 1927 until his death. He is best remembered for his 1936 parody of Time magazine, which skewered the magazine's inverted narrative structure...
, and almost the entire Astor family
Astor family
The Astor family is a Anglo-American business family of German descent notable for their prominence in business, society, and politics.-Founding family members:...
.
His will provided for the establishment of the Livingston Memorial Church and Burial Ground
Livingston Memorial Church and Burial Ground
Livingston Memorial Church and Burial Ground is a historic Dutch Reformed church at CR 10 & Wire Road in Linlithgo, Columbia County, New York. It was built in 1870 on the site of the original 1721 church and above the Livingston family burial crypt established in 1727. It is on land provided by...
. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1985.