The Relyeas were early settlers in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, where they attained honorable position. They descended from a Huguenot family of France, one member of which settled in America prior to the revolutionary war.
(I) Adam Relyea was born in Guilderland, Albany county, New York, in the year 1800. He was a prosperous farmer, living to a good old age. He married Margaret Van Patten and had issue.
(II) Jacob A., son of Adam and Margaret (Van Patten) Relyea, was born February 27, 1831, died May 3, 1907. He was educated in the public schools and grew to manhood on the farm. He later took up farming as a life occupation, possessing a farm in the beautiful Helderberg region. He was assessor of his town and otherwise politically important in town life. He was a Republican, and a member of the Reformed church. He married, January 17, 1852, Nancy Maria, daughter of John P. and Anna Barbara (Crounse) Livingston and granddaughter of Peter I. Livingston. She was born June 21, 1834, on the old Peter I. Livingston estate, in the same house which she still owns and has occupied during her lifetime, with the exception of seventeen years of her married life, when she resided in another part of the town. Children of Jacob A. and Nancy Maria (Livingston) Relyea:
- Orpha, born August 27, 1853, married Cornelius Hallenbeck, who died October 16, 1894, aged forty-one years; children: Alta, Laura N., Anna and Charles H., the three daughters are married.
- Edward, born April 22, 1856, now a resident of Schenectady; married Julia Sharp and has one son, Lloyd Verner.
- Anna, born March 16, 1859, resides in Dunnsville, married Frank Coss, deputy sheriff of Albany county; children: Alta and Addie, twins; Addie, deceased; Leland.
- Jacob H., born August 9, 1872, resides in Albany, train master, Boston & Albany railroad, married Sarah L. Crounse, and has children: Amelia and Barton.
(The Livingston Line)
Peter I. Livingston was born in Albany county. New York, where he died December 18, 1838, aged sixty-nine years and nine days. He owned and cultivated the Livingston homestead farm now owned by his granddaughter, Mrs. Jacob A. Relyea. This farm commands a grand view of the "Indian Ladder" entrance to the Helderberg mountains, and the picturesque scenery together with its fertile, well-kept condition, render the estate unusually attractive. He married (first) Maria Warner, who died aged fifty-five years and thirteen days; he married (second) Eva Frederick. Children of first wife: Aaron and Anna, both deceased. Children of second wife:
- John P., see forward;
- Margaret, married Jacob Van Wormer;
- Magdalene, married Jacob Fryer;
- Catherine N., married Frederick Mynderse.
(II) John P., son of Peter I. and Eva (Frederick) Livingston, was born on the homestead which he later owned, November 20, 1807, died in 1894. He was a farmer, a Lutheran in religious belief, and politically a Republican. He married (first) in Guilderland, Anna Barbara Crounse, born April 16, 1808, died February 4, 1861, daughter of Conrad and Margaret (Livingston) Crounse; he married (second) Mrs. Catharine (Ostrander) Stevens, no issue by this marriage. Children of John P. and Anna Barbara (Crounse) Livingston:
- Evaline, born September 18, 1831, married Peter Wagoner, died leaving no issue.
- Catharine, born August 14, 1832, married Isaac Smith, died leaving no issue.
- Nancy Maria, born June 21, 1834, married, January 17, 1852, Jacob A. Relyea (see Relyea II).
- Rebecca, born January 10, 1837, widow, living in Poughkeepsie, has three living children.
- Julia, born March 29, 1839, widow, residing in Greater New York, has one daughter.
- Peter I., born August 26, 1841, resides in Schenectady, married Mary E. Mann, of Guilderland Center, has one daughter, Meta L.
- Harriet, born June 15, 1844, married and lives in Union, Broome county, New York.
- Helen, born September 6, 1846, died young.
- Helen (2), born February 18, 1849, married and lives in Guilderland Center.