Livingston, William, 1723-1790

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William Livingston (November 30, 1723 – July 25, 1790) was an American politician who served as the first non-Colonial governor of New Jersey (1776–1790) during the American Revolutionary War. As a New Jersey representative in the Continental Congress, he signed the Continental Association and the United States Constitution. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Born in Albany, New York, Livingston received his early education from local schools and tutors. At age 13, Livingston was sent to live for a year and prepare for college with the Anglican missionary catechist and Yale College graduate Henry Barclay who lived among the Iroquois in the Mohawk Valley at Fort Hunter. Livingston enrolled at Yale in 1737 and graduated in 1741. He went on to New York City, where he studied law and became a law clerk. He became a lawyer in 1748 and began his practice in New York City. In 1752, he co-founded a weekly journal, the Independent Reflector. Livingston was a member of the New York provincial assembly from 1759 to 1761.

In 1772, he moved to Elizabethtown (today Elizabeth, New Jersey). After attaining considerable influence amongst the local patriots, Livingston was elected to serve as one of New Jersey's delegates to the Continental Congress. He served from July 1774 to June 1776. The state's Provincial Congress declined to reappoint him to the Continental Congress as he did not favor independence. Instead, they offered him command of the state's militia, an offer he declined. He returned to New Jersey and relied on his previous commission (of October 1775) as a brigadier general of the New Jersey Militia. In August 1776, he was elected Governor of New Jersey. Livingston joined the New Jersey Delegation to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution. He was appointed United States Minister to the Netherlands in 1788 by U.S. Congress but turned down the proposition. He continued to be reelected governor of New Jersey each year until his death in 1790.

Livingston died in Elizabeth. Originally buried at Trinity Church, Manhattan, his remains were reinterred at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn in 1844.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Gouverneur, Samuel. Bond, 1771 September 19. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Land records of the New York grantees in Royalton, Vermont, 1768-1775. Vermont Historical Society
referencedIn Wendell family papers Houghton Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Autograph File, S, 1556-1996. Houghton Library
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. ALS : Philadelphia, Pa., to Gov. William Livingston, 1777 March 28. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Collection of documents concerning the American Revolution, 1740-1866 Houghton Library
creatorOf Stevens family. Stevens family papers, 1663-1959. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Brearly, David, 1745-1790. [Letter] 1788 May 27, Trenton, [N.J. to] Governor Livingston / David Brearley. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Anderson family. Papers, 1762-1950. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Jay, John, 1745-1829. John Jay papers, 1668-[ca. 1862]. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn John Jay Papers, 1668-[ca. 1862] Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. DS, 1785 November 20 : [New Jersey]. An Act for defraying sundry Incidental Charges. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn William Smith papers, ca. 1631-1883, 1770-1780 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. William Livingston papers, 1695-1822 (inclusive), [microform]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. Letter, 1776 June 29, to Samuel Tucker. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Hay, Southard, 1875-1951,. Southard Hay autograph collection, 1750-1885 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. William Livingston papers, 1749-1782. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Hancock family. Hancock family papers, 1728-1815. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIa, 1743-1806 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786. Papers, 1777-1780 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Jay, John, 1745-1829. John Jay papers, 1664-1820. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Deborah Covenhoven orders of permission, 1782 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Morse family. Morse family papers, 1779-1868 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Hooper, William, 1742-1790. ALS, 1785 May 13, Edenton, to Governor Livingston. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Sedgwick, Theodore, 1811-1859. A memoir of the life of William Livingston, Chapter five [Manuscript draft], 1832. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume V, Miscellany, 1764-1792 Cornell University Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. ALS, 1782 July 12 : to Trenton, to Captain Jonathan Dayton. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. DS : Elizabeth, N.J., 1787 Aug. 31. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Johnson family. Johnson family papers, 1769-1886 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Smyth, Frederick, 1732-1815. Papers, 1756-1816. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Madison, James, 1751-1836. ALS, 1831 Feb. 12, Montpellier, Va., to Theodore Sedgwick. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Memorandum relating to the partition of Philip Livingston's interest in the Cheesecocks Patent and the division thereof among several of his children in the year 1764. [manuscript] New England Historic Genealogical Society
creatorOf Swanwick, John, 1740-1798. Letter to William Livingston, 1782 July 18. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Livingston, Brockholst, 1757-1823. Letter to William Livingston, 15 April 1786. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Henry Clinton papers, 1736-1850 William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. William Livingston family papers, 1695-1788. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Smith, William, 1728-1793. William Smith papers, ca. 1631-1883, bulk (1770-1780) New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Jay, John, 1745-1829. Indenture for sale of property owned by William Livingston, late governor of New Jersey, 1808. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. Papers [manuscript], 1778-1783. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn George Washington papers, 1592-1943 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Washington, George, 1732-1799. Letter : [Springfield, N.J.], to [Governor William Livingston, 1780 June 18]. George Washington University
referencedIn Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792. Papers of Henry Laurens, 1747-1882. Library of Congress
referencedIn Nelson, William, 1847-1914. Manuscript collection, 1690-1875 New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. ADS, 1787 March 3 : Elizabeth Town, New Jersey. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Holland Fair (1950 : Philadelphia, Pa.). Collection, 1626-1869. Library of Congress
referencedIn Agreement among owners of a tract of land to share the cost of obtaining releases of Indian claims. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Stewart, Charles, 1729-1800. Family papers, 1768-1877 Houghton Library
referencedIn Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821. Elias Boudinot papers, 1773-1812. Library of Congress
referencedIn Moot Club (New York, N.Y.). Minutes, 1770-1774. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Houghton Library. Houghton Library printed book provenance file, L-Q. 1942. Houghton Library
creatorOf New Jersey. An act to oblige the regimental agents of the troops of this state to deposit in the treasury the certificates remaining in their hands, and for making compensation for their services ... [Burlington or Perth Amboy, NJ], 6-7 March 1786. Society of the Cincinnati Library
referencedIn George Washington papers, 1592-1943 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Johnson family. Johnson family papers, 1631-1987 (inclusive), 1631-1918 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Frederick Smyth papers, 1756-1816, 1756-1816 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Samuel Huntington papers, 1763-1793 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Washington, George, 1732-1799. Letter, 1782 May 10, Head Quarters, Newburgh [N.Y.], to Governor Livingston. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810. ALS, 1782 June 28 : Philadelphia, to Governor William Livingston. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Bache family papers, 1770-1890 (bulk), 1770-1923 (inclusive), Bulk, 1770-1890, 1770-1923 (Bulk 1770-1890) American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Espionage papers, 1775-1956 . Houghton Library
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Livingston, Edward, 1764-1836. Livingston family papers, 1634-1909. Library of Congress
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. William Livingston Family papers II, 1789-1822. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 9 -- Letters to Franklin, 1787-1790 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn John Jay Papers, 1664-1823 (Bulk 1769-1800) New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Lewis, Joseph, 1748-1814. Joseph Lewis diary, 1806, [ca. 1900]. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. Autograph letter signed : Trenton, to Noah Webster, 1783 Dec. 1. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Dearden, Robert R. (Robert Rowland),. Early American watermarks: collection, 1695-1937. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn De Witt, William. Daybook, 1739-1753. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Morse Family Papers, 1779-1868 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Parker family. Papers, 1680-1936. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Olden, Samuel, 1747-1802. Letters testamentary, 1784 Jan. 10. Historical Society of Princeton
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. [Document] 1786 May 10 / Wil: Livingston, Stephen Crane, Jr. Witness: John Stewart. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1741-1790. Autograph letter signed, 1779 Aug. 12. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Allinson family. Papers, 1761-1909 (bulk 1761-1798, 1809-1811, 1824-1883). Rutgers University
referencedIn Schley, Reeve, 1881-1960. Papers, 1670-1969. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Cuyler, Henry. Bond, 1770 April. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn John Jay publication project. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Moore, William, ca. 1735-1793. ALS, 1782 May 7 : Philadelphia, to Governor [William] Livingston, Trenton, New Jersey. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Anderson family. Papers, 1762-1950. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Washington, George, 1732-1799. George Washington papers, 1592-1937 (bulk 1748-1799). Library of Congress
creatorOf Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811. Autograph letter signed : to Governor Livingston, 1782 June 25. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Ely, Edwin A., 1836-1927,. Autograph collection, ca. 1663-1890. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Parker family (Perth Amboy, N.J.). Parker family papers, 1676-1946 1760-1820. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Polhemus, Leffert, 1758-1786. Death certificate, 1786 Mar. 17. Camden County Historical Society
referencedIn Smith family. Papers, 1733-1831. Rutgers University
creatorOf New Jersey Historical Society. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1664-1956 New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. Papers of William Livingston, 1776-1781. Library of Congress
referencedIn New Jersey. Treasury Dept. Accounts of state treasurer John Stevens, Jr., 1777-1784 (bulk 1777-1783). New Jersey State Archives
referencedIn Southard Hay autograph collection, 1750-1885 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Bache family. Papers, 1770-1890 (bulk), 1770-1923 (inclusive). American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf William Livingston papers, 1749-1782 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Henry Clinton papers, 1736-1850 William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Livingston, William, 1723-1790. ALS : Trenton, N.J., to Joseph Reed, 1781 Sept. 14. Rosenbach Museum & Library
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nieceOrNephewOf Livingston, Gilbert, 1690-1746. person
auntOrUncleOf Livingston, Henry Beekman, 1750-1831. person
grandchildOf Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728 person
relativeOf Livingston, Robert, 1688-1775. person
relativeOf Livingston, Robert R., 1718-1775 person
relativeOf Livingston, Robert R., 1746-1813 person
spouseOf Livingston, Susannah French person
associatedWith Madison, James, 1751-1836. person
associatedWith Mallory, G person
associatedWith Marcy, William L. (William Learned) 1786-1857 person
associatedWith Markoe, Fr person
associatedWith Markoe, Peter, 1752? -1792 person
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parentOf Symmes, Susanna (Livingston), Mrs. person
associatedWith Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786. person
associatedWith Trist, E person
associatedWith Trist, Mrs. Mary Brown person
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Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Albany NY US
Elizabeth NJ US
New Haven CT US
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Birth 1723-11-30

Death 1790-07-25

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