Christina Livingston

Christina Ten Broeck married Philip Livingston, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Christina was the third daughter of Richard (or Direk) and Margarita Cuyler Ten Broeck. She was of "sturdy, thrifty Dutch stock" that dominated New Amsterdam located on the Hudson River. The first recorded information on her ancestors was of her great-grandfather, Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck, an Indian trader, who paid 1000 guilders in beaver skins for a home in 1663. When Albany received its charter in 1686, the name of Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck was first on the list of alderman. He later served as Recorder and then as Mayor. Christina's grandfather also served as Alderman and Recorder, and her father served as man of affairs, Alderman, Recorder and Mayor.

When Christina and Philip married about 1740, he was a prosperous young New York businessman, but he soon became interested in public affairs. He was first elected Alderman to represent the East Ward in 1754 and was re-elected the next nine years. He was chosen as a delegate to the first Congress in Philadelphia in 1774. He was in Congress where he voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence.

While Philip was in Philadelphia attending Congress, Christina and her children were living on Brooklyn Heights. It was there in her home that the American generals held a council of war and decided to retreat from Long Island. Soon after that meeting, the Livingston family moved to Kingston, New York.

Philip suffered with ill health in 1778 and attempted to go home to visit his family and rest from his public duties. He returned to Congress at the urgent request of the state government in March. Before he left, he had a premonition that he would not return home and told his family and friends goodbye. When his son Henry, an aide to General George Washington, learned that his father was ill, he rushed to his father's bedside and remained there until after his father died on June 12, 1778, at age 62.

Nine children were born to Christina and Philip Livingston: Philip Philip, Richard, Catharine, Margaret, Peter Van Brugh, Sarah, Henry Philip, Abraham, and Alida. At least four of the children died as unmarried adults, and only Philip Philip is reported to have posterity. I found no date or place of death for Christina.

Facts are from Wives of the Signers: The women behind the Declaration of Independence, 115-119.

Philip Livingston

Philip Livingston, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was a descendent of a Scotch minister who left Scotland in 1663 to settle in Rotterdam where he passed away. Philip's father, Robert Livingston, emigrated to America soon after the death of his father. He was granted a large tract of land located along the Hudson River and was known as Livingston's Manor. Philip was the oldest of three sons and became heir to the property upon the death of his father.

Philip was born on January 15, 1716, in Albany. He completed a preparatory course of study and then entered Yale College. There he did well in his studies and graduated with distinguished honor in 1737. He had an "extensive and lucrative business" in New York City and was known and respected in the community for "his integrity and upright dealings."

He started his public service as an Alderman for the East Ward in New York City, serving satisfactorily in that position and winning reelection for nine years. Philip and his brother Robert were elected at the same for seats in the General Assembly where Philip became a leader among his fellow public servants. Philip was also a member of a committee established to communicate with Edmund Burke while he was serving as an agent for New York in England previous to the American Revolution.

Philip was elected as a delegate to the first Continental Congress in 1774. He was still serving in the Continental Congress and supported the fight for independence. He voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence.

When New York formed its first state government, Philip Livingston was elected to be a member of the first Senate of the state. Even though he was experiencing some problems with his health, he left home to perform his duties in the Senate. He had a premonition that he would not return home and bade his family and friends farewell. He died on June 12, 1778, while serving in the Senate. Henry, his eighteen-year-old son who was living with the family of General George Washing, was the only family around when Philip passed away.

Philip was very concerned about the public welfare and was one of the founders of the New York Society Library and the Chamber of Commerce. He also promoted the establishment of King's College (now Columbia). He left "a name and fame that kings might covet."

Facts and quotes are from Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 67-70.