History of Schuylerville, (Bronx County) New York United States of America

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James Livingston, soldier, was born in lower Canada, March 27, 1747; son of John and Catharine (Ten Broeck) Livingston and grandson of Robert Livingston and of Gen. Abraham Ten Broeck. James inherited from his father a large landed estate in Canada. He attended Kings (Columbia) college, New York city, and was colonel of the regiment of Canadian refugees who originally went from the United States to Canada but returned upon the outbreak of the Revolution. They were organized into a regiment at the time of the invasion of Canada by General Montgomery, and his brothers Abraham and Richard served respectively as captain and lieutenant-colonel. He participated in the battle of Quebec; in the capture of Fort Chambly, St. John's and Montreal. The night before the attack on Quebec, Dec. 30, 1775, General Montgomery spent at Colonel Livingston's house near by, and at the time of Montgomery's death, Colonel Livingston was so near him that the blood from the general's wound fell on his arm. He subsequently participated in the battle of Stillwater, Sept. 19, 1777 and at the surrender of Burgoyne, Oct. 17, 1777. He was stationed on the Hudson to defend the passes, protect King's Ferry and strengthen West Point, and on Aug. 3, 1780, was ordered by General Washington to garrison the redoubts at Stony Point and Verplank's Point, thus leaving Arnold alone at West Point. On Sept. 21, 1780, Colonel Livingston, by obtaining from John Lamb a four pounder and ammunition, and with his first shot cutting the anchor rope of the Vulture causing her to drop down stream to Tarrytown, prevented the meeting between Arnold and Andr?, his action resulting in Andr?'s capture. When Washington returned from his visit to Count Rochambeau at Hartford, he sent for Colonel Livingston, Sept. 25, 1780, and first heard from him the details of Arnold's treason and escape on the Vulture. Colonel Livingston was retired on half pay at the close of the war, and as his property in Canada had been confiscated by the British government he removed to Johnstown, N.Y., where he engaged in farming and subsequently kept a store. He was a member of the state assembly, from Schuylerville, N.Y., 1784-91. Colonel Livingston was married to Elizabeth Simpson of Montreal. He died at Schuylerville, N.Y., Nov. 29, 1832.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Schuylerville, (Bronx County) New York

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