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.<ref name=bielinski/>

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.<ref name=Edwin/> 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.<ref name=bielinski/>

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.<ref name=bielinski/>

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.<ref name="Hough1858">Template:Cite book</ref> During his tenure, Albany grew from a trading post to the area's major supply and services center.<ref name=bielinski/> Livingston was also appointed as one of the English colony's Commissioners for Indian Affairs.<ref name="Rhoden2014">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name=bielinski>Template:Cite web</ref> Together, they had six children:<ref name="Reynolds1911">Template:Cite book</ref>

• Engeltje "Angelica" Livingston (1698–1747), who married Johannes Van Rensselaer (1708–1793), son of Hendrick van Rensselaer (1667–1740).
• Jacobus "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<ref name="gws">Template:Cite book</ref>
• Johannes "John" Livingston (1709–1791), who married Catharine Ten Broeck (1715–1802), the sister of Abraham Ten Broeck.<ref name="Reynolds1911"/>
• Thomas Livingston, who died young.<ref name=Edwin>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Descendants

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

• Catherine Van Rensselaer (1734–1803), who married Gen. Philip Schuyler (1733–1804) in 1755
• Jeremiah Van Rensselaer (1738–1810)
• Robert Van Rensselaer (1740–1802)
• Henry Van Rensselaer (ca 1742–1813)
• James Van Rensselaer (1747–1827), a Captain and aide de camp of Maj. Gen. Montgomery who fought in the Canadian campaign of Fort Chambly in Quebec and was Captain in the 2nd New York Regiment under Colonel James Clinton and later aide de camp of General Philip Schuyler.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="schenectadyhistory">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Calendar of the Military Papers of Peter Gansevoort, [Senior] July 4, 1754 through December 31, 1780 New York State Archives AO131 [1] pp. 10</ref>

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).<ref name="Reynolds1911" />

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.

See also

• Livingston family
• History of Albany, New York