Edward Livingston (April 3, 1796 – June 16, 1840) was an American attorney and politician. He served as
Clerk and
Speaker
Speaker may refer to:
Society and politics
* Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly
* Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture
* A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially:
** In ...
of the
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature, with the New York State Senate being the upper house. There are 150 seats in the Assembly. Assembly members serve two-year terms without term limits.
The Assem ...
.
Early life
He was born in
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 295,911. The county seat is the city of Poughkeepsie. The county was created in 1683, one of New York's first twelve counties, and later orga ...
, the son of Philip Henry Livingston (1769–1831) and Maria Livingston (1770–1828).
His paternal uncle was
Edward Philip Livingston
Edward Philip Livingston (November 24, 1779 in Kingston, Jamaica – November 3, 1843 in Clermont, New York) was an American politician.
Early life
He was the son of Philip Philip Livingston (1741–1787, son of Philip Livingston) and Sara (J ...
(1779–1843), the
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The lieutenant governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the Government of the State of New York. It is the second highest-ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket wit ...
,
and his maternal uncles were
Henry Walter Livingston
Henry Walter Livingston (June 12, 1768 – December 22, 1810) was a United States Representative from the state of New York.
Early life
Livingston was born in Livingston, Columbia County, New York to Continental Congressman Walter Livingston (1 ...
(1768–1810), a
U.S. Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
, and
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat, the (also known as ''Clermont''). In 1807, that steamboat ...
(1765–1815), an
engineer
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the l ...
who developed a successful
steamboat
A steamboat is a boat that is marine propulsion, propelled primarily by marine steam engine, steam power, typically driving propellers or Paddle steamer, paddlewheels. Steamboats sometimes use the ship prefix, prefix designation SS, S.S. or S/S ...
that ferried passengers from New York City to Albany and back again and invented the first practical
submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
in history.
[Best, Nicholas (2005). ''Trafalgar: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sea Battle in History''. London: Phoenix. .]
His paternal grandfather was Philip Philip Livingston (1741–1787),
who was born in
colonial New York and had settled in
Jamaica
Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...
,
West Indies
The West Indies is a subregion of North America, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea that includes 13 independent island countries and 18 dependencies and other territories in three major archipelagos: the Greater A ...
prior to the
Revolutionary War, therefore remaining a British subject.
Philip Philip's father,
Philip Livingston
Philip Livingston (January 15, 1716 – June 12, 1778) was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. He represented New York at the October 1774 First Continental Congress, where he favored imposing economic sanctions upon Great Bri ...
(1716–1778), supported the
patriot cause
A patriot is a person with the quality of patriotism.
Patriot may also refer to:
Political and military groups United States
* Patriot (American Revolution), those who supported the cause of independence in the American Revolution
* Patriot m ...
prior to the revolution, and as a delegate to the
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a late-18th-century meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American Revolutionary War. The Congress was creating a new country it first named "United Colonies" and in 1 ...
signed the
Declaration of Independence. He was married to Christina Ten Broeck (1718-1801), the sister of
Abraham Ten Broeck (1734-1810) who was married to Elizabeth Van Rensselaer, sister of
Stephen Van Rensselaer II, patroon of
Rensselaerwyck.
His maternal grandparents were
Walter Livingston
Walter Livingston (November 27, 1740 – May 14, 1797) was an American merchant, lawyer and politician.
Early life
He was a son of Robert Livingston (1708–1790), 3rd Lord of Livingston Manor, and Maria Thong Livingston (1711–1765), a grand ...
(1740–1797),
the 1st
Speaker of the New York State Assembly, and Cornelia Schuyler (1746–1822), the granddaughter of
Pieter Schuyler. Walter was the son of
Robert Livingston (1708–1790), 3rd Lord of
Livingston Manor
Livingston Manor was a tract of land in the Province of New York granted to Robert Livingston the Elder during the reign of George I of Great Britain.
History
Livingston Manor was a tract of land in the colonial Province of New York granted ...
. His paternal great-grandfather, Philip was the younger brother of his maternal great-grandfather, Robert.
Career
He was
Clerk of the New York State Assembly The Clerk of the New York State Assembly heads the administration of the New York State Assembly. The outgoing clerk of the previous session presides over a new Assembly until a Speaker
Speaker may refer to:
Society and politics
* Speaker (politi ...
in
1822
Events
January–March
* January 1 – The Greek Constitution of 1822 is adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus.
*January 3 - The famous French explorer, Aimé Bonpland, is made prisoner in Paraguay accused of being a spy. ...
,
1823
Events January–March
* January 22 – By secret treaty signed at the Congress of Verona, the Quintuple Alliance gives France a mandate to invade Spain for the purpose of restoring Ferdinand VII (who has been captured by armed revolutio ...
,
1824
May 7: The almost completely deaf Beethoven premieres his Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven) , Ninth Symphony
Events
January–March
* January 8 – After much controversy, Michael Faraday is finally elected as a member of the Royal Society, ...
,
1826
Events January–March
* January 15 – The French newspaper ''Le Figaro'' begins publication in Paris, initially as a weekly.
* January 30 – The Menai Suspension Bridge, built by engineer Thomas Telford, is opened between the island o ...
and
1827
Events
January–March
* January 5 – The first regatta in Australia is held, taking place on Tasmania (called at the time ''Van Diemen's Land''), on the River Derwent at Hobart.
* January 15 – Furman University, founded in 1826, b ...
, following Dirck L. Vanderheyden and serving from January 2, 1822, until January 4, 1825, when Horatio Merchant became Clerk. Livingston again served, replacing Merchant, beginning on January 3, 1826, until January 1, 1828, when
Francis Seger, who later became a member of the
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is the upper house of the New York State Legislature; the New York State Assembly is its lower house. Its members are elected to two-year terms; there are no term limits. There are 63 seats in the Senate.
Partisan com ...
, took over.
Livingston served as
District Attorney
In the United States, a district attorney (DA), county attorney, state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth's attorney, or state attorney is the chief prosecutor and/or chief law enforcement officer representing a U.S. state in a l ...
of
Albany County from June 14, 1825, to March 27, 1838.
Speaker of the New York Assembly
He was a member of the
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature, with the New York State Senate being the upper house. There are 150 seats in the Assembly. Assembly members serve two-year terms without term limits.
The Assem ...
representing
Albany Co., in
1833
Events January–March
* January 3 – Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (1833), Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.
* February 6 – His Royal Highness Prince Otto ...
,
1835
Events
January–March
* January 7 – anchors off the Chonos Archipelago on her second voyage, with Charles Darwin on board as naturalist.
* January 8 – The United States public debt contracts to zero, for the only time in history.
...
and
1837
Events
January–March
* January 1 – The destructive Galilee earthquake causes 6,000–7,000 casualties in Ottoman Syria.
* January 26 – Michigan becomes the 26th state admitted to the United States.
* February – Charles Dickens's ...
, and was
Speaker
Speaker may refer to:
Society and politics
* Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly
* Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture
* A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially:
** In ...
in 1837,
serving alongside
Charles Humphrey
Charles Humphrey (February 14, 1792 – April 17, 1850) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He served as a U.S. Representative and as Speaker of the New York State Assembly.
Life
He was born in Little Britain, Orange County, ...
.
At the conclusion of the session where he was Speaker and which was his last public office, the House presented their thanks to Livingston "for the able, dignified and impartial manner in which he has presided over its deliberations." In response, Livingston replied:
The flattering compliment which you have awarded to my efforts to subserve the public interests, by unanimously declaring that my conduct as your presiding officer merits approbation, is the reward for which I have labored, and its bestowment will ever be cherished by me with grateful recollections.
The time of this session has been engrossed with much business of a local nature, and with many propositions and laws of a general character, in the disposition of which, questions of great public concernment, were involved. That we have had an active agency in maturing and passing many laws of a local character, which the wants of the community demanded, cannot be denied. Upon questions in which the people at large have expressed an interest, the Assembly has pronounced its judgment upon most, if not all the leading topics to which their attention has been called. More of public law than is usually adopted at any session of the Legislature, will be found to have passed into enactments; whether for good or evil, will be determined by our constituents, to whose judgment, I doubt not, we are all alike willing to submit with perfect cheerfulness. As the diversified claims of our large population for legislative aid annually increase, it is a matter of congratulation that we are enabled to adjourn at an earlier period than the Legislature of last year. This is a high testimony in favor of your industry and devotion to the public business.
In discharging the duties of the station to which your partiality called me, I have been much aided by your strict attention to business, and by your liberal support of the Chair. To your indulgence in overlooking the many errors into which I may have been betrayed, I feel much indebted; and I assure you that it has been my constant study, in return for favors received, to endeavor to discharge with strict impartiality the delicate and difficult duties confided to me. In a few moments we shall part, probably never again to assemble together within these walls. This thought excites painful emotions in my bosom; and my regrets at parting deepen when I cast my eyes on your familiar faces, and perceive that your kind sensibilities are in unison with mine. I trust that a protecting Providence will watch over and restore you to your friends in health; and that your further progress in life may be happy, will ever be one of the choicest wishes of my heart. Fellow-members, farewell.
Personal life
In 1819, he was married to Sarah Ray Lansing (1797–1848), the daughter of Cornelia (
née
A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...
Ray) Lansing (1757–1834) and
John Ten Eyck Lansing, Jr. (1754–1829), the former Speaker of the New York State Assembly and
Chancellor of New York The New York Court of Chancery was the highest court in the State of New York from 1701 to 1847.
History
The New York Court of Chancery was established during the British colonial administration on August 28, 1701, with the colonial governor actin ...
from 1801 to 1814.
Her sister, Jane Lansing (1785–1871) was married to
U.S. Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
Rensselaer Westerlo
Rensselaer Westerlo (May 6, 1776April 18, 1851) was a United States representative from New York and a member of the Livingston family.
Early life
Rensselaer Westerlo was born on May 6, 1776 at the Van Rensselaer Manor House in Albany in the P ...
(1776–1851), and sister Frances Lansing (1791–1855) was married to
Jacob Livingston Sutherland (1788–1845). Together, they were the parents of:
* Maria Lansing Livingston, who died unmarried
* Cornelia Lansing Livingston (1821–1854), who died unmarried
* Frances "Fanny" S. Livingston, who died unmarried
* Sarah Lansing Livingston (1824–1843), who died unmarried
* Philip Henry Livingston (1828–1913), who died unmarried
* John Lansing Livingston (1830–1904), who died unmarried in
Paris, France
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...
,
and was a member of the
Union Club.
* Edward Livingston (1834–1906),
who was prominent in New York Society and a member of the Union Club and the
Metropolitan Club and lived at 17 East 34th Street,
and who married Fanny Hazeltine, of Boston.
Livingston died in
Albany, New York
Albany ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of New York, also the seat and largest city of Albany County. Albany is on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River, and about north of New York City ...
, on June 16, 1840. He was buried at
Albany Rural Cemetery.
Descendants
Through his son, Edward Livingston,
he was the grandfather of Clarisse Hazeltine Livingston,
who made her debut in 1887,
and Edward Livingston, Jr. (b. 1871),
who graduated from
Harvard
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...
in 1893 and
Columbia University Law School
Columbia Law School (Columbia Law or CLS) is the Law school in the United States, law school of Columbia University, a Private university, private Ivy League university in New York City. Columbia Law is widely regarded as one of the most prestig ...
in 1896.
References
;Notes
;Sources
*
History of Political Parties in the State of New-York'. John Stilwell Jenkins. (Alden & Markham, Auburn NY, 1846)
*
The New York Civil List'. Compiled by Franklin B. Hough (Weed, Parsons & Co., Albany NY, 1858)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Livingston, Edward
1796 births
1840 deaths
Politicians from Albany, New York
Speakers of the New York State Assembly
Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly
Edward (speaker)
New York (state) Jacksonians
19th-century American politicians
Clerks of the New York State Assembly
Burials at Albany Rural Cemetery
Lawyers from Albany, New York
Albany County District Attorneys
Lansing family