Livingston Manor was a tract of land in the Province of New York granted to Robert Livingston the Elder during the reign of George I of Great Britain. History Livingston Manor was a tract of land in the colonial Province of New York granted to Robert Livingston the Elder through the influence of 5th Governor Thomas Dongan, and confirmed by royal charter of George I of Great Britain in 1715, creating the manor and lordship of Livingston. The original patent was obtained in July 1686. This tract embraced a large portion of what is now Columbia County. The lords of the manor were: Robert Livingston the Elder (1654–1728), served from 1715 to 1728. Philip Livingston (1686–1749), served from 1728 to 1749. Robert Livingston (1708–1790), served from 1749 to 1790. Although an English-deeded tract, some sources list Livingston Manor with the patroonships of New Netherland. Division of land The first division of the estate occurred in 1728 upon the death of Robert Livingston the Elder, who stipulated that his third son, Robert Livingston (1718–1775), be granted from Livingston Manor's southwest corner, a tract which Robert christened Clermont Manor. In 1790, upon the death of the last lord of the manor, Robert Livingston (1708–1790), the remainder of Livingston Manor was divided among his heirs, rather than continue to pass down through primogeniture, as Robert disapproved of his eldest son, who had made many unwise financial decisions and was perennially in debt. The inheritors of the estate were all men who had distinguished themselves considerably during and after the American Revolution: Philip Livingston (1716–1778), delegate to the Continental Congress and signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence William Livingston (1723–1790), 1st Governor of New Jersey and signatory of the United States Constitution William Alexander (1726–1783), a brother-in-law who had married Sarah Livingston (1725–1805), the daughter of Philip Livingston, 2nd Lord of Livingston Manor, and Robert’s sister. Alexander had been a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War James Duane (1733–1797), a son-in-law and Robert’s former ward, who had married his daughter Mary (1738–1821). Duane had been a delegate to the Continental Congress, 44th Mayor of New York City, and signatory of the Articles of Confederation These four heirs subsequently divided the land among their own families, and the power of the Livingston family was slowly diminished. A portion of the estate is still held by the family. The