From The Peopling of New York City
Multiple Robert Livingstons made the search very difficult
[1]Although Robert Livingston was a member of the famous Livingston family, he has still proven to be quite elusive. The Livingston family is extensive and the family favored the names Robert, Philip, Henry and Phillip. Sometimes even the name was doubled, for example Robert R. Livingston where the R stands for Robert. Historians and even family members have used the person's place in the family tree or their work to distinguish them. For example there is Robert the elder and Robert the Founder.
[2] In the 1700’s I have uncovered records of
at least six Robert Livingstons! I do not have any concrete information about him but here is what I have found out so far about his family.
The first American ancestor was Robert Livingston. He is known as Robert Livingston the Elder.
Robert Livingston the Elder
[3]He immigrated from Scotland in 1683. He arrived in Boston but later moved to Albany, New York where he was able to obtain a grant of land of one hundred thirty thousand acres of land. He founded the famous Livingston Manor. Through his work he held many important positions in Albany. He helped the Livingstons become the important and prestigious family it was during that time period.
[4]
Robert the Elder married Alida Schuyler, (this family is also related to David Abeel). When Robert the Elder died he divided the Manor by willing the majority of the land to his eldest son Phillip. He gave a much smaller piece of the land to his son Robert as a reward for detecting a "Negro plot" to kill all the white people in their neighborhood. This division of the land also created a division in the family. [5]Phillip did not like the fact that Robert had also been given land. Robert was very successful in his land which became known as the Clermont Manor. His piece of the land grew as he acquired more land and tenants which increased the jealousy Philip had towards him. [6]
Robert of Clermont willed the manor to his eldest son Robert R. Livingston. Robert was a judge so he is known as Robert the Judge. He married Margaret Beekman, who was heir to twenty four thousand acres of land just south of Clermont. [7] They had at least two sons, Robert R. Livingston and Henry Phillip Livingston. Robert R. Livingston son of Robert the Judge was also a lawyer and later became chancellor of New York. He is known as Robet the Chancellor.[8]
I am uncertain about which Robert is the person I am looking for. According to Lepore, Robert Livingston was an English lawyer and sea captain. Lepore made a mistake about Robert Livngston's origin. The Livignstons were not English, they were Scottish. Lepore also lists Livingston as a member of the Court Party and his wealth was estimated at 175 pounds. He also lived in the Dock ward. [10] So far I have not been able to find anything that says any Robert Livingston was a sea captain. I found many lawyers and a judge but no sea captain. Lepore may have made another mistake. If this is true then Robert of Clermont or his son Robert the Judge could be my elusive immigrant.
The Livingston family was famous for their patriotic spirit. Many members of this family served in the Continental Army and were distinguished by others as good soldiers. [11] The lawyers of the family worked with the new government drafting and signing important documents such as the Stamp Act, and the Declaration of Independence. Others joined the revolutionary groups such as the Sons of Liberty. The Livingstons became targets for the Loyalists because the they were known as true patriots in the revolutionary cause. After Robert the Judge's death, his manor burned by Loyalists. His widow was able to save her children and slaves. She was forced to relocate to Connecticut.[12][13]
The Livingston family was also very generous to their Church. I found the names of many Livingstons as generous donors, deacons, and wardens to their church. I found the names of two Robert Livingstons as donors to the Church of Christ in Poughkeepsie. [14]
I have decided not to pursue the search for Robert Livingston because I do not think I will discover any accurate information about him. Any information I may provide may be a fabrication of the lives of all the Robert Livingstons put together. I have done my best but I feel pursuing this case will take more time than I have available.
References
- ↑ Index of Wills for New York County (N.Y.C) 1662-1850
- ↑ Tom Lewis, The Hudson: A History, 136
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Livingston_the_Elder
- ↑ The John P. Branch Historical Papers of Randolph Macon College, 299.
- ↑ The John P. Branch Historical Papers of Randolph Macon College, 299.
- ↑ The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton, 3.
- ↑ Tom Lewis, The Hudson: A History, 136
- ↑ The John P. Branch Historical Papers of Randolph Macon College, 299.
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Livingston_%281718-1775%29
- ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 266-267
- ↑ Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial-Field Book of the Revolution, 456
- ↑ Tom Lewis, The Hudson: A History, 136
- ↑ The John P. Branch Historical Papers of Randolph Macon College, 299.
- ↑ The records of Christ Church : Poughkeepsie, New York
