An American Family History

Livingston Family

Slavery is an immoral system of forced labor where people are treated as property to be bought and sold. It was legal in the American Colonies and the United States until the Civil War.

The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle of the American Revoluton. It took place on October 7, 1780, nine miles south of the present-day town of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The Patriot militia defeated the Loyalist militia commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson.

A grist mill is a building where a miller grinds gain into flour.

William Todd Livingston was born about 1714 in King and Queen, Virginia. He was the son of John Livingston and Margaret Todd and was born in Stratton Major Parish, King and Queen County, Virginia.

He married Sarah Ware, the daughter of Peter Ware and Judith Scott.

Their children probably included:
Susannah Livingston (married William Head),
John Livingston (1750, married Rachel Freeman),
William Livingston (1752, Isobel Robins),
Peter Livingston (1755, married Elizabeth Head),
Samuel Livingston (1757, married Phoebe Head),
Elizabeth Livingston (1758, married Thomas Elliott),
Catherine Livingston, (1760, married William Wilson) and
Henry Livingston (1764, married Mary Fariss and Susannah Carmack).

On October 8, 1752 William bought 800 acres on Negro Creek in Louisa County, Virginia and moved there with his family. Then he sold 400 of the 800 acres to his son George.

On November 28, 1753, William sold nine enslaved people to William Taliferro and John Shackelford of King and Queen County.

On June 17, 1754, William sold Archibald Ritchie two enslaved men, Tim and Dickey.

In 1755, William and George Livingston served the church as processioners on "all the lands from Rogers Branch to Negro Run between the North Anna River and Gibsons Mill Run." (Fredericksville Parish Vestry Book, 1742-1787; trans. and edited by Rosalie Edith Davis, 1978)

On April 29, 1757, William sold his home place in Louisa County of 400 acres, plus 800 acres of patented land, to Peter Copeland for 80£.

Soon after selling his Louisa property, William and his family returned to King and Queen County, Virginia.

In 1765, William bought several hundred acres of land on the Yadkin River in Rowan County, North Carolina for 160£.

On April 17 1767, William's mill on Milbrey Creek in Rowan County, North Carolina was regarded as a public Grist Mill.

In 1770, William sold his Rowan County property for 160£.

The family moved to Washington County, Virginia on the north fork of the Holston River.

William and John Livingston signed the 1777 Petition of Holston Men.

Son John served as a private in the American Revolution under Colonel Cleveland at the Battle of Kings Mountain and in at the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

Williams will was proved on November 6, 1782 in Washington County.

April 25, 1778: Last will and testament of William Todd Livingston presented at court in Washington County. William Livingston and Peter Livingston, two of the executors, gave bond on the will in the amount of 1,000 pounds. Estate was appraised at 1,675 pounds, including land, 4 slaves, 4 horses with 3 colts and a still.

It took nearly ten years for the final resolution of and settlement of William's estate. His will was first filed in Fincastle County and later refiled in Washington County. On April 21, 1778, the process was started in Washington County.

The Holston River flows from Kingsport to Knoxville.

map
map by Kmusser

Fincastle County, Virginia was created in 1772 from Botetourt County and abolished in 1776. It was divided into Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky Counties.

Alcohol played a significant role in the daily lives of colonists; even children. They feared polluted water and believed in alcohol's nourishing and medicinal properties.

North Carolina was one of the thirteen original Colonies. It was first settled by small farmers and grew quickly in the mid 18th century.

Washington County, Virginia was formed from Fincastle County in 1777. It originally contained Sullivan County, Tennessee.

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©Roberta Tuller 2023
tuller.roberta@gmail.com
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