Gilbert Livingston (legislator) facts for kids

Gilbert Livingston (born 1742, died 1806) was an important lawyer. In 1788, he was a delegate at the Poughkeepsie Convention. He was initially an Anti-Federalist. However, he ultimately voted to approve the U.S. Constitution. Both before and after this convention, he served in the New York Assembly. He represented Dutchess County. Livingston was also a member of the New York Provincial Congress.

Gilbert Livingston's Early Life

Gilbert was one of thirteen children. His parents were Henry Livingston, Sr. and Susanna Conklin Livingston. Gilbert's father, Henry, was a County Clerk in Dutchess County. He was also a lawmaker in colonial New York. The family was middle-class. They were part of the well-known Livingston family of New York. One of Gilbert's great-grandfathers was Robert Livingston the Elder. Robert was a wealthy official in colonial New York. Gilbert's brother, Henry Livingston, Jr., was a poet.

Gilbert was born and grew up near Poughkeepsie. He went to school in Fishkill, New York. He then attended King's College. This college is now Columbia College (New York). He left early in 1757. This was due to a smallpox outbreak. Records show he was part of the class of 1760.

Gilbert Livingston's Career and Public Service

Livingston worked as a lawyer. He also owned a small farm with a few tenants. He ran a store in Poughkeepsie. His store partner was the brother of politician Melancton Smith. His law partners included the famous judge James Kent. Another partner was Smith Thompson. Thompson later married Livingston's daughter, Sarah.

In 1775, Livingston served in the New York Provincial Congress. During the American Revolution, he was a patriot. He worked in shipbuilding with his brother-in-law, Peter Tappan. Tappan was also the brother-in-law of Governor George Clinton. Livingston led an important wartime committee for Governor Clinton. This committee dealt with the problem of inflation.

He served in the New York State Assembly from 1777-1778 and 1788-1789. He was against controlling prices. He supported the rights of tenants. He also warned against loyalists trying to gain power. He was also a judicial official called a "surrogate". He held this role from 1778 to 1785, and again from 1787 to 1794.

New York's Vote on the U.S. Constitution

Livingston is best known for his role in a key state convention. This meeting happened in Poughkeepsie in the summer of 1788. Its purpose was to decide if New York would approve the U.S. Constitution. The convention saw a debate between two main groups. One group was led by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Robert Livingston. The other group was led by Melancton Smith and Gilbert Livingston.

Hamilton's group wanted to approve the Constitution without changes. They believed New York would not join the Union otherwise. Clinton's group, which included Livingston, wanted to add changes to the Constitution. They also wanted New York to keep the right to leave the Union if their changes failed. During the debates, New Hampshire and Virginia approved the Constitution. This made them the ninth and tenth states to do so. This made it harder to delay the vote. It also increased the chance of a compromise.

During the discussions in Poughkeepsie, Livingston was very doubtful. He worried about giving too much power to a federal government. He said that members of the U.S. Senate would not understand "the common people." He believed a state government could handle problems well enough. Regarding the Senate's power over treaties, Livingston thought Congress could work around the Senate. This would be true as long as a treaty did not commit the U.S. for longer than two years.

Livingston said he would only support approval if changes were made. He stated, "I will steadily persevere...to secure...a revision of the Constitution." In the end, he voted to approve the Constitution. He was confident that the needed changes would eventually be passed. The vote in Poughkeepsie was 30 to 27. This was the closest approval vote of any state. Many delegates did not want to go against Governor Clinton. Clinton was against approving the Constitution. Livingston called his vote to approve the most difficult political choice of his life. He later felt good about his decision. This was because a bill of rights was later proposed and approved.

Gilbert Livingston's Stance on Slavery

Livingston was against slavery. In 1787, he joined the Poughkeepsie branch of the New York Manumission Society. This group worked to free enslaved people.

Gilbert Livingston's Family Life

In 1763, Gilbert married Catherine Crannell (1745–1830). Catherine was the daughter of his law partner, Bartholomew Crannell. Gilbert and Catherine had one child:

• Sarah Livingston (1777–1833), who married Smith Thompson (1768–1843). Smith Thompson was a law partner of Gilbert. He later became the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. He also served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. After Sarah's death, Smith Thompson married Elizabeth Davenport Livingston. Elizabeth was Sarah's cousin and the daughter of Gilbert's brother, Henry Livingston Jr..

Gilbert Livingston died on September 14, 1806.