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1776 Revolutionary War Document Peter R. Livingston-David Gelston for Privateer

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1776 Revolutionary War Document Peter R. Livingston-David Gelston for Privateer
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American Revolution
1776 Peter Livingston, President NY Committee of Safety & David Gelston, New York Provincial Congress of 1775 Funds Outfit the NY Privateer Ship “Sloop Montgomery”
October 16, 1776-Dated Revolutionary War, Manuscript Document Signed, “Peter R. Livingston” as President of the New York Committee of Safety, at Fishkill, Countersigned by “David Gelston,” Choice Very Fine.
Historic and rare Revolutionary War date “1776” American Navy Privateer Sloop related Content, Autograph Document Signed, “Peter R. Livingston. President” (September 1776 to March 1777) and Countersigned by “David Gelston” (1744-1828) on verso, being orders from the Committee Of Safety for the State of New York, to Peter V. B. Livingston, Esqr. (Treasurer). This historic Document is 1 page, well written and easily readable in rich brown ink on clean period laid paper, oblong quarto, measuring 7.75” x 7.25” being solid, whole and complete. It requests of Mr. Gelston to send 800 Pounds, in part: “To Captain Rogers for defraying the expenses of fitting out & paying off the Wages of the Officers & Crew of the Sloop Montgomerie.”

This important Naval Document being particularly unusual and rare in that it is Signed by Peter R. Livingston, as President. Peter Van Brugh Livingston is recorded as the official President of the New York Committee of Safety and Provincial Congresses. This Document states Mr. Gelston can work with others he: “May think safe & prudent”. Docket on the reverse reads, in full: “Rec.d October 18th 1776 from P.V.B. Livingston by the hands of Gerard Banaker Eight hundred pounds agreeable to the - within Order -- (Signed) David Gelston”.

The Sloop Montgomery (1776) was an American Privateer during the American Revolution, Captained by William Rogers, who was succeed by William Mercier. The Privateer Montgomery compiled a successful capture record during its time in active service. It sailed in tandem with the Schuyler, both of whom shipped out of New York City Harbor in 1776. Officers of the Montgomery included: Capt. William Mercier; Capt. William Rogers; 1st Lieut. Thenius Thew; 2nd Lieut. John Leaycraft.

The Sloop Montgomery operated mostly out of New York harbor until that region fell to the British. Extensive records concerning the New York State Sloop Montgomery can be found the volumes of, "Naval Documents of the American Revolution". Great Revolutionary War naval content in this Order from the early days of the Revolution.
Peter R. Livingston (1737–1794) was the eldest son of Robert Livingston, Jr. (1708–1790), third Lord of Livingston Manor in Columbia County, New York. During the Revolutionary War, he served as Chairman of New York’s Committee of Safety from September 1776 to March 1777 and as Colonel of the 10th Albany Regiment.

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Peter Van Brugh Livingston (November 3, 1710 Albany, New York – December 28, 1792 Elizabethtown, Union County, New Jersey) was a Patriot during the American Revolution.

He was the second son of Philip Livingston (1686-1749) and Catharine Van Brugh Livingston, and was named for his grandfather Pieter Van Brugh. He graduated from Yale College in 1731, and settled in New York City, where he engaged in the shipping business with William Alexander, Lord Stirling. He was also engaged in the slave trade with his father. Peter V. B. Livingston's mercantile interests involved activities in the West Indies, North Carolina, and Fort Niagara, where he was involved in the fur trade. In 1748, he became one of the original trustees of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), and served until 1761. In 1755, he furnished the supplies for the military expedition of Governor William Shirley to Acadia.

In 1775 he was a member of the Committee of One Hundred. Livingston was a Delegate to the New York Provincial Congresses, and was President in 1775 and 1776-77. He was also Chairman of the Committee of Safety from September 1776 to March 1777. In 1776, he was appointed Treasurer by the NY Provincial Congress, and remained in office until 1778, after the establishment of the State Government.

His home in New York City was a large mansion on the east side of what is now Hanover Square, with grounds extending to the East River. Later he removed to Elizabethtown, N.J., and died there at the Liberty Hall.

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David Gelston (1744-1828) was an American Merchant and Politician. As the American Revolution approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the “Articles of Association” in 1774, agreeing to avoid British imports, even though this hurt his own business. Gelston represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 New York State Constitutional Convention that debated and enacted the first constitution of the State of New York.

He was a member from Suffolk County of the New York State Assembly from 1777 to 1785. During his last term, he was Speaker. As Speaker, he took a leading role in reconciling the differences between Tory and Whig factions. He oversaw the repeal of all the laws that had imposed civil and legal penalties on Tories.

In 1787, he removed to New York City, and from 1787 to 1801, was Surrogate of New York County. In 1789, the State Assembly appointed him a delegate to the last session of the (Continental Congress). He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1791 to 1794, and from 1798 to 1802.

It was during 1792, that Charles Willson Peale was commissioned by Gelston, a notable American during the time, to paint a "head size" portrait of Gelston as well as a companion piece of his wife and daughter. This painting is currently displayed at the La Salle Art Museum.

Gelston was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson Collector of the Port of New York in 1801, and held that post until 1821 when he retired. He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in New York.