John Livingston (1749–1822)

John Livingston (February 21, 1749/50 – October 24, 1822). Twelfth child and fifth son of Robert Livingston, 3rd (and last) Lord of the Manor, and Maria Thong. Served as aide-de-camp to General (later Vice-President) George Clinton during the Revolutionary War. Received 28,000 acres from his father. Founded the hamlet of Livingston in Columbia County, which was named for him. Built the Oak Hill mansion in 1793 — the only Livingston family mansion still owned by a Livingston as of the late 20th century besides Clermont. Lived at Oak Hill the life of a country gentleman. Married first on May 11, 1775 to Maria Ann (Mary Ann) LeRoy (1759–1797), daughter of Jacob LeRoy and Cornelia Rutgers — all nine of his biological children were by this first marriage, including Herman Livingston (1793–1872) who inherited Oak Hill. Married second on November 3, 1796 to his kinswoman Catherine (Livingston) Ridley (1751–1813), daughter of William Livingston the War Governor of New Jersey and widow of Matthew Ridley. Catherine brought her daughter Susan Anne Livingston (Ridley) Sedgwick — a children's book author — into the household as John's stepdaughter. Direct-line ancestor of Edmund Pendleton Livingston (1889–1972) and of Brendan Tobin.