James
was a Sergeant Major about 1746 in the 48th Regiment of foot (Duke of
Cumberland's army) during the rebellion in Scotland , then cantoned at Sterling.
He
was Fort Major of Fort Cumberland in the Province of Maryland during the summer
of 1756.
Letter
from Major Livingston to Colonel George Washington can be found in the Maryland
Archives, Volume 31 - Proceedings of the Council - August 10, 1753 to March 20,
1761, page 227-8. Also in Volume 9
- Correspondence of Horatio Sharpe, Governor.
Letter
to Washington dated June 14, 1757, talks of the "Battle of
Monongahela" and the French Indians near Bear Camp.
The
following extensive notes are quoted from Zerilda (Landon)Richardson family
record book that she maintained from the early 1930's well into the 1970's.
Her original information was copied from James H. Richardson's work.
"This
record of Sir. John Richardson is taken from from sworn statements to prove the
proper relation of John Richardson or the nearest and lawful heir of James
Livingston.
James
Livingston being Sergeant Major in the Duke of Cumberlands army during the
rebellion in Scotland about 1746.
Janet
Livingston, a sister of James Livingston, married Sir John Richardson.
This is the nearest date I have of his
boyhood. According to sworn
statements Janet died in 1787.
Sir
John and Janet Richardson resided at Charters Hall in the Parish of Saint
Vivians, (Nivians)County of Sterling (Stirling), Scotland. Their children are:
John
James
Robert
Thomas
Helen
Marian
Agnes
Thomas,
son of John and Janet Richardson, married a Miss Goldsmith. Their children are:
James
William
Thomas Goldmith
Anna
Mary
James
was a Sergeant Major about 1746 in the 48th Regiment of foot (Duke of
Cumberland's army) then cantoned at Sterling.
He was Fort Major of Fort Cumberland in the Province of Maryland during
the summer of 1756.
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From Frank
Anderson's book is one of several items regarding James Livingston:
"An
interesting letter from Major Livingston to Colonel George Washington can be
found in the Maryland Archives, Volume 31-Proceedings of the Council - August
10, 1753 to March 20, 1761, page 227-8. Also
in Volume 9 - Correspondence of Horatio Sharpe, Governor
Livingston to
Washington
Sir:
Fort Cumberland, June 14, 1757
I
am desired by Captain Dagworthy to acquaint you that there is a great Body of the
Enemy on their Way to these Frontiers where they intend is not certain, the
Intelligence comes from Captain Spotswood's Party, that arrived here about three
of the Clock this Afternoon, says Captain Spotswood left them about ten Days
ago, these six separated themselves from the Rest and went to Fort DuQuesne,
where they stayed some Days and saw the Preparation making for the March but
wanting Provisions was forced to come off to some Distance to fire their Guns as
there was none to be got by their Arrows they heard a great Gun fired near where
the Battle of Monongahela was fought, which they had crossed the tenth Instant
and desire all their Brothers to come as soon as possible to their assistance.
Lieutenant Baker marched this Day at eleven o'clock with all the Indians
only tw left with the Swallow's son which I am afraid will die, I've wrote to
Mr. Baker to detain them Pearalls while they hear from you but am afraid it will
not be in his Power, as they are fully bent to see the great Man that is come
from King George and expect presents they stayed but four Hours after the letter
was explained to them Captain Dagworthy would have wrote to you but being busy
in writing to Colonel Stanwix and their Governor
had not time, you will excuse my hurry as we are in great perplexity at present
I am your humble Servant
Jas Livingston
P.S.
Since
my writing they have made us sensible that they wereon their March with a number
of Wheel Carriages, and men innumerable, and had marched two Days before they
quit the Monongahela waters, they further say they saw them cross the said
River, and Guns greater than any at this Fort you'll observe this is Indian news
which I really believe to be true no white man came in yet and further say they
found a stocking belonging to the White Men which causes suspicioun here the
whole is cut off. Keenifftikee is
not in the five men which is expected hourly, Captain Dagworthy desires you will
send an Express to Colonel Stanwix and Governor Sharpe in case that Express may
be taken he has sent, further the six that came in three of them is wounded and
one of them was killed being seven in number when they separated from Captain
Spotswood by a Party of French Indians near the Bear Camp they stayed till dark
and went back for their Baggage and came in four days from the French Fort they
are momentarily giving fresh intelligence therefore must conclude with this
confused Paragraph a safe Deliverance never was in greater Jeopardy, no men no
Provisions this is the Cry of this Garrison, this is the second Express this man
has been sent and no Pay for it (viz) when Trent came in and the Catawba Indian
the next Colonel I believe may be from Montreal for never such a set collected
as we have to defend a Garrison for my part I am easy if Indians, I must fight,
but if French as long as we can but I am afraid the great guns won't be loaded
by us a second time.
J.L.
Washington was at
Fort Loudon at this time. Command
of Fort Cumberland had been turned over to the colonial government by the
British but evidently Major Livinston had been left to assist in holding the
fort.
Note:
The above letter has virtually no punctuation and, various words are
capitalized. (Copied by Frank Anderson from someone elses work)