Description:

Schuyler Philip 1733 - 1804 A stunning piece of revolutionary history, the now famed American General Philip Schuyler, as a member of the New York Assembly, and the notorious loyalist, Justice William Smith, join forces to indenture Thomas Livingston, a member of the venerable Livingston family of New York


Manuscript document signed "Ph. Schuyler" on verso, 1p., front and verso, approximately 15.75" x 9.75". New York, New York, January 16, 1768. Slight foxing and top edge is scalloped. Wear and small loss at folds and margins. Professionally repaired. Very Good condition.

This document represents the deep and complex branches of the famous Livingston family of New York. The indenture of Thomas Livingston actually connects members of the Livingston family who, only seven years later, would align themselves with the two different sides of the Revolution. William Smith, married to Janet Livingston, was the Chief Justice of the Province of New York until 1782, when his loyalist tendencies (though he was referred to as "the weathercock" by his contemporaries for his shifting loyalties) forced him to leave New York and become the Chief Justice of the Province of Quebec from 1786 until his death in 1793.

William Smith's brother, Joshua Hett Smith, orchestrated the infamous liaison between Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold - an event which later resulted in Andre's death and the complete defamation of Arnold's legacy and reputation. The house where the dastardly event took place, now known as "Treason House", was actually owned by his brother, Thomas Smith, whose signature is on this document as a witness. As a strange coincidence, Andre was captured by Colonel James Livingston, another member of Livingston family, who lead the 1st Canadian Regiment of the Continental Army during the war.

Philip Schuyler was also related to the Livingstons; his mother in law, Engeltje Livingston, was the aunt of Janet Livingston, Smith's wife.

The document concerns the indenture of Thomas Livingston to Schuyler and Smith, as well as three other men. Also mentioned in the document is the "Estate of Robert Livingston [the Younger] late of the City of Albany", who was the mayor of the aforementioned city, and the grandfather of both Schuyler's and Smith's wives. He died forty-three years earlier, in 1725.

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