Robert Livingston the Younger

Robert Livingston the Younger, sometimes known as Robert Livingston Jr., or The Nephew was a wealthy merchant and political figure in colonial Albany, New York.

Early life

Livingston was born in 1663 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of James Livingston 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. 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.

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 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.
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. During his tenure, Albany grew from a trading post to the area's major supply and services center. Livingston was also appointed as one of the English colony's Commissioners for Indian Affairs.

Personal life

In 1697, Livingston married Margareta Schuyler, the daughter of Pieter Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany, and Engeltie Van Schaick. Their children "married into the best provincial families and enjoyed great success in the business of New York, Montreal, and the lands in between. Together, they had six children:

Engeltje "Angelica" Livingston, who married Johannes Van Rensselaer, son of Hendrick van Rensselaer.
Jacobus "James" Livingston, who married Maria Kierstede
Janet Livingston, who married Col. Henry Beekman of Rhinebeck, New York
Pieter "Peter" Livingston, fur trader, killed by Seneca Indians near Geneva, New York
Johannes "John" Livingston, who married Catharine Ten Broeck, the sister of Abraham Ten Broeck.
Thomas Livingston, who died young.

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.

Descendants

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

Catherine Van Rensselaer, who married Gen. Philip Schuyler in 1755
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer
Robert Van Rensselaer
Henry Van Rensselaer
James Van Rensselaer, 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.

Through his son James, his granddaughter was Margaret Livingston who married Peter Robert Livingston, the son of Robert Livingston. Margaret's brother, Robert James Livingston, was the father of his Robert Livingston the Younger's great-grandson, Maturin Livingston.
Through his son John, he was the grandfather of:

Margaret Livingston Chinn
James Livingston
Anne Livingston Jordan
Jennet Livingston Vanderheyden
Abraham Livingston
Catherine Livingston Willard
Maria J. Livingston.

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, the socialite Helen Morgan Hamilton, and several more relatives of heavily influential families of America.