Hyatt-Livingston House

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Hyatt-Livingston House was an historic home in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Originally constructed by tenant farmer John Hyatt on Philipsburg Manor in the 1690s, the home was sold to Philip Livingston as part of the Confiscation Act in 1779. A prominent New Yorker, Livingston held many Federal posts and appointments. Before his death in 1810, he expanded the house. The home was destroyed by a fire in 1974.

Images

1904 image of the Hyatt-Livingston house

Photo of Hyatt-Livingston house 1971

photo of Hyatt-Livingston 1971

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

The Hyatt-Livingston House, constructed by Frederick Philipse on the Philipsburg Manor, was first occupied by John Hyatt who was a tenant. During the height of the Revolution, the Confiscation Act of 1779 was passed which allowed property of English loyalists to be confiscated. Since the Philipse family was Tory (English loyalists) their land was taken away and sold to Philip Livingston.

Philip, a successful merchant, was a member of the prominent Livingston family. His career included Register of the Prerogative Court of New York, Secretary to the last Royal Governor of the Province of New York, Secretary of the Governor-General of West Florida, Secretary of the Provisional Government of New York and Anti-Federalist Representative from Westchester County to the New York Convention. Before Philip Livingston passed away in 1810, he added a west wing to the Hyatt farmhouse. This addition in the west wing was two stories in height, five bays in length, and two bays in width. It included French windows on both stories between the interior and the porches. Other details included an interior end chimney, which was incorporated with the west wing.By 1823 the house and land was owned by Livingston’s oldest son, Peter Van Brugh Livingston.

The Hyatt-Livingston house was preserved as an historic landmark after long debate and controversy. The house was in disrepair and funds were needed. The owners wanted to develop the land to raise money for the repairs. The neighbors were conflicted because they wanted to preserve the Hyatt-Livingston House, but they didn’t want the increased density of the townhouses.The Historic Preservation Act of 1966 provided grants for the house, and the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The house was preserved, but unfortunately it was destroyed by a fire in 1974.

Sources

Weaver, Lynn Beebe. Hyatt-Livingston House. National Register of Historic Places. Published September 1st 1972.
Greenhouse, Linda. "Dobbs Ferry Divided on Future of Historic House." The New York Times (New York) April 30th 1972. .
"Hyatt-Livingston House put on National Register as State attempts to stave demolition ." The Reminder News (Dobby Ferry) October 25th 1972. .
Hu, Winnie. "After Century, Town Finds it Cannot Tell a Lie ." The New York Times (New York) October 9th 2000. .

Image Sources(Click to expand)

National Register of Historic Places