Robert Livingston the Younger

Robert Livingston the Younger (1663 – April 1725), sometimes known as Robert Livingston, Jr., or The Nephew was a wealthy merchant and political figure in colonial Albany, New York.[1]

Robert Livingston the Younger
14th Mayor of Albany, New York
In office
1710–1719
Preceded byJohannes Abeel
Succeeded byMyndert Schuyler
Personal details
Born1663
Edinburgh, Scotland
DiedApril 1725 (aged 61/62)
Albany, New York
CitizenshipGreat Britain
Spouse(s)
Margarita Schuyler
​
(
m. 1697; his death 1725)
Children6
RelativesJames Livingston (grandson)
Catherine Van Rensselaer (granddaughter)
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer (grandson)
Robert Van Rensselaer (grandson)
Henry van Rensselaer
Nickname(s)Robert Livingston, Jr.

Early life

Livingston was born in 1663 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of James Livingston (1646–1673) and nephew of Robert Livingston the Elder. Once established in Albany, his uncle wrote to his father in Edinburgh, advising him to send his son Robert.[2] Robert the Younger emigrated to North America, by way of London, in November 1687. He settled in Albany, where he managed his uncle's Albany enterprises.[1]

Career

After arriving in North America in 1687, Livingston's first job involved assisting his uncle as city and County Clerk. In 1699, he was appointed Deputy Secretary and Deputy Clerk, positions he held until 1707, when his cousin Philip Livingston became of age. In 1708, Livingston was elected Alderman for the First Ward. In 1709, he was appointed Recorder (or Deputy Mayor) of the City. At the same time, he was able to prosper in business, using family connections and experience to supply both settler and military customers.[1]

In 1710, Livingston was appointed mayor of Albany, succeeding Johannes Abeel and serving in that role until 1719 when he was succeeded by Myndert Schuyler.[3] During his tenure, Albany grew from a trading post to the area's major supply and services center.[1] Livingston was also appointed as one of the English colony's Commissioners for Indian Affairs.[4]

Personal life

In 1697, Livingston married Margareta (or Margarita) Schuyler (b. 1682), the daughter of Pieter Schuyler (1657–1724), the first mayor of Albany, and Engeltie Van Schaick (d. 1689). Their children "married into the best provincial families and enjoyed great success in the business of New York, Montreal, and the lands in between.[1] Together, they had six children:[5]

  • Engeltje "Angelica" Livingston (1698–1747), who married Johannes Van Rensselaer (1708–1793), son of Hendrick van Rensselaer (1667–1740).
  • James Livingston (1701–1763), who married Maria Kierstede (1704–1762)
  • Janet Livingston (1703–1724), who married Col. Henry Beekman of Rhinebeck, New York
  • Pieter "Peter" Livingston (b. 1706), fur trader, killed by Seneca Indians near Geneva, New York[6]
  • Johannes "John" Livingston (1709–1791), who married Catharine Ten Broeck (1715–1802), the sister of Abraham Ten Broeck.[5]
  • Thomas Livingston, who died young.[2]

In April 1725, Robert Livingston the Younger died and was buried in the Dutch church at Albany. Margarita survived her husband by many years; her death date is unknown but occurred between 1756 and 1784.[7]

Descendants

Through his eldest daughter Angelica, he was the grandfather of:

Through his son James, his granddaughter was Margaret Livingston (1738–1809) who married Peter Robert Livingston (1737–1793), the son of Robert Livingston (grandson of Robert Livingston the Elder). Margaret's brother, Robert James Livingston (1725–1771), was the father of his Robert Livingston the Younger's great-grandson, Maturin Livingston (1769–1847).

Through his son John, he was the grandfather of:

  • Margaret Livingston Chinn (1742–1820)
  • James Livingston (1747–1832)
  • Anne Livingston Jordan (1749–1788)
  • Jennet Livingston Vanderheyden (1751–1825)
  • Abraham Livingston (1753–1802)
  • Catherine Livingston Willard (1755–1827)
  • Maria J. Livingston (1759–1839).[5]

Through his granddaughter, Catherine Schuyler, he is the ancestor of the entire Hamilton family, minus Alexander Hamilton, all descendants of General Philip J. Schuyler, several members of the Morgan family (through his daughter Juliet Pierpont Morgan Hamilton), the socialite Helen Morgan Hamilton, and several more relatives of heavily influential families of America.

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See also

References
  1. Bielinski, Stefan. "Robert Livingston, Jr". The People of Colonial Albany Live Here. The New York State Museum. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  2. Livingston, Edwin Brockholst (1910). The Livingstons of Livingston Manor. New York: Knickerbocker Press. p. 562.
  3. Hough, Franklin (1858). The New York Civil List: containing the names and origin of the civil divisions, and the names and dates of election or appointment of the principal state and county officers from the Revolution to the present time. Weed, Parsons and Co. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  4. Rhoden, Nancy L. (2014). English Atlantics Revisited: Essays Honouring Ian K. Steele. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 240–243. ISBN 9780773560406. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  5. Reynolds, Cuyler (1911). Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs: A Record of Achievements of the People of the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys in New York State, Included Within the Present Counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Washington, Saratoga, Montgomery, Fulton, Schenectady, Columbia and Greene. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  6. Schuyler, George Washington (1885). Colonial New York: Philip Schuyler and His Family. Charles Scribner's Sons. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  7. Bielinski, Stefan. "Margarita Schuyler Livingston". The People of Colonial Albany Live Here. The New York State Museum. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  8. Bergen, Tunis Garret (1915). Genealogies of the State of New York: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. 3. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. OCLC 39110613.
  9. "Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs: Van Rensselaer". Schenectady Digital History Archive. Schenectady County Public Library. 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  10. Calendar of the Military Papers of Peter Gansevoort, [Senior] July 4, 1754 through December 31, 1780 New York State Archives AO131 pp. 10
Political offices
Preceded by
Johannes Abeel		 Mayor of Albany, New York
1710–1719		 Succeeded by
Myndert Schuyler
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