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May 2013

W88-0071. Livingston, John Henry (1746-1825). Papers, 1777-1829. 0.75 linear ft.

Western Theological Seminary

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Recommended Citation Repository citation: Western Theological Seminary, "W88-0071. Livingston, John Henry (1746-1825). Papers, 1777-1829. 0.75 linear ft." (2013). Collection Registers and Abstracts. Paper 536. https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/collection_registers/536 May 23, 2013.

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Abstract

Minister of the RCA; first professor of Theology at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 1784-1825. John Henry Livingston was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1746. He received his A.B. in 1762 at age 16, and his A.M. from Yale College in 1765. He also received a D.D. from the university at Utrecht in 1770; licensed by Classis of Amsterdam 1769. Called “The Father of the Reformed Church in America” partly as he was only the second to preach in English. Chaplain of Provincial Congress, 1775. Ministered to Collegiate Church of New York City 1770-1810, though during the Revolutionary War he was “exiled” to Kingston, Albany Manor, Poughkeepsie and Red Hook. Vice-president of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the American Indians. President of Queens College and Professor of Theology from 1810 to his death in 1825. Materials include handwritten notes of Livingston’s “Lectures on Natural and Revealed Theology” by B. Hugg, 1815-17, in four volumes; broadside proposing the publication of Livingston's memoirs by Alexander Gunn, 1829; and a copy of a letter warning against Hopkinsianism. Scattered letters to brother Gilbert Livingston, Edward Westerlo, and Robert Livingston, discussing family matters, legal business and provisions of a will. One important letter (to Robert Livingston, 1977) details his attitude about church and state relationships.

Accession No: W88-0071 Provenance: John Henry Livingston Donor: Unknown Processed by: Michael Douma, June 2001

Biography

Minister of the RCA; first professor of Theology at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 1784-1825. John Henry Livingston was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1746. He received his A.B. in 1762 at age 16, and his A.M. from Yale College in 1765. He also received a D.D. from the university at Utrecht in 1770; licensed by Classis of Amsterdam 1769. Called “The Father of the Reformed Church in America” partly as he was only the second to preach in English. Chaplain of Provincial Congress, 1775. Ministered to Collegiate Church of New York City 1770-1810, though during the Revolutionary War he was “exiled” to Kingston, Albany Manor, Poughkeepsie and Red Hook. Vice-president of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the American Indians. President of Queens College and Professor of Theology from 1810 to his death in 1825.

Scope and Content

Handwritten notes of Livingston’s “Lectures on Natural and Revealed Theology,” made by B. Hugg, 1815-1817, bound in four volumes; broadside proposing the publication of Livingston’s memoirs by Alexander Gunn, 1829; and a copy of a letter warning against John Henry Livingston W88-0071

Hopkinsianism. Letters to brother Gilbert Livingston, Edward Westerlo, and Robert Livingston mostly over family matters, legal business and provisions of a will. The letters, scattered over a long period, present intermittent discussion of family wills, legal documents and property, but also give attention to moral problems and church business. There is an important letter (to Robert Livingston, 1777) detailing his attitude about church and state relationships.

Container List

Box 1

Article, “The Contrast Between Calvinism and Hopkinsianism,” 1813 Books, Lectures on Natural and Revealed Theology , New Brunswick, New York 1815 1816 Vol. III, 181?

Box 2

Books, Lectures on Natural and Revealed Theology , New Brunswick, New York (cont.) Vol. IV, n.d. Correspondence John H. Livingston to Dear Sir, 1777-1796 John H. Livingston to Robert Livingston, 1777 (with negative image) John H. Livingston to Unknown, 1772 (negative image) John H. Livingston to Harry, 1766 (with negative image) John H. Livingston to Rev. Eilardus Westerloo, Albany, 1789 (negative image) John H. Livingston to Gilbert Livingston, Poughkeepsie, 1799, 1802 (negative images) John H. Livingston to Abraham, 1804 Proposal for Publishing a Memoir, 1829

2