Robert Livingston the Elder

Robert Livingston the Elder was a New York colonial official, fur trader, and businessman who became the first lord of Livingston Manor.

Born in Scotland, Robert immigrated with his family to Rotterdam where he learnt the Dutch, which would help him significantly in his later life in New York and New Jersey. Determined to find his fortune in the New World, he sailed for Boston and in late 1674 settled in Albany.

Soon after arrival Rober entered the service of Nicholas Van Rensselaer, director of Rensselaerswyck working as his secretary, and following his death a few years later he married his widow. This opened him the numerous opportunities. He was granted a patent to 160,000 acres (650 km²/ 250 sq mi) along the Hudson River, south of Albany that would become known as Livingston Manor.

It is known that Robert offered land on both sides of the Hudson River to the English government on the temporary use for the establishment of work camps for the English navy. Around 3,000 German refugees came on the ships to Manhattan in 1710 to work in the camps. Livingston made a substantial profit by selling supplies to the work camps and through payment by the English colonial government.

During his lifetime, Robert Livingston succeeded to amass one of the largest fortunes in 17th-century New York.