New York’s Livingston family is about as close as the USA gets to nobility. The storied dynasty was founded by Lord Robert Livingston, a businessman and politician in colonial New York, who was granted a 160,000-acre manor on the left bank of the Hudson River in 1686. His descendants have made their mark on US history from the Revolution to the present, including Declaration of Independence signer Philip Livingston, suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and both Presidents George Bush. Actress Jane Wyatt (Father Knows Best) and singer David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, and Nash are also scions of this unique family. Unlike in England, where entire manors passed to the firstborn son, the American system allowed the Livingston manor to be subdivided. As many as 30 mansions were built by different family members on their New York land, many eventually sold outside the family.
The magnificent Ulster Landing in Kingston, NY is one such mansion. Listed for $8.35 million, it offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history. The beautifully preserved home spans 6,900 square feet, with six beds and seven baths. A classic Victorian built in 1860, it features arch-topped windows, a tower, a wraparound porch, and elaborate millwork.
