Provenance:

By descent in the Ridley/Sedgwick Family to the present owner.

Note:

Catharine Livingston was born in Albany, New York to patriots William (1723-1790) and Susannah French Livingston (1723-1789). The Livingstons were among the wealthiest and most politically influential families in Colonial America. Catharine's father was a New York lawyer, and prolific writer of political pamphlets and newspaper essays in opposition to British colonial policies. Livingston served as the First Governor of New Jersey, Brigidier General of the New Jersey state militia, a member of the New Jersey delagation to the First and Second Continental Congresses, and was a Signer of the Constitution.

Catharine married Matthew Ridley (1746-1789) an English-born merchant in 1787. Ridley arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1770 as an agent of the mercantile firm of Stewart and Campbell of London. A staunch supporter of American Independence, Ridley was appointed agent for Maryland and sent to Europe to secure loans for military goods in 1781. He successfully arranged a loan from the Dutch banking firm of Nicolaas and Jacob van Staphorst. Ridley actively assisted with diplomatic matters during and after the Revolutionary War working closely with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay- the husband of Catharine's sister Sarah.

Livingston and Ridley brief marriage produced two daughters.

Catharine married John Livingston(1750-1822) a cousin in 1796,

Publication History: This portrait miniature is published on American Aristocracy website, americanaristoocracy.com.

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