His youngest sister, Harriet Livingston, was married to Robert Fulton.

He graduated from Yale College in 1786,[6] studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in New York City.

[1] From October 2, 1787 to September 11, 1789, Livingston was a clerk in the office of Alexander Hamilton, who issued a "certificate of clerkship" for him on April 29, 1790, stating that "he is of good moral Character.

[8] Livingston was then Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County.

[13] This home in Livingston, known as "The Hill," was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.