Thomas Livingstone, Viscount Teviot

In the north aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey is a monument to Thomas Livingstone (or Livingston), Viscount Teviot. The Latin inscription can be translated:

Sacred to the memory of Thomas Livingston, Knight and Baronet, Viscount of Teviot, Baron Livingston of Peebles who, born in Holland, descended from the ancient family of Livingstons in Scotland. From his childhood being conversant with arms, and with glory advanced to several military titles, was at length in the reign of William III (under whom, while Prince of Orange, he had long and bravely fought, and whom he attended into Britain as a Colonel of Foot), made Lieutenant General in the army and General of the Scots Forces, Master of the Ordnance and Privy Counsellor. While Scotland was inflamed with civil broils, he happily engaged the enemy at the river Spee; by that means securing peace in his country, and the nation to the king; for which brave actions he was by his grateful prince added to the nobility. To this great man, so well deserving to his country, Alexander Livingston, Knight and Baronet, his only brother and heir, erected this monument. He died in London 14 January 1710, aged 60.

He was buried near the entrance to the Quire. The year of his death on the monument is given in Old Style dating, now called 1711 and the inscription was composed by Dr James Welwood. The coats of arms on the monument include those of Thomas "Azure, three oranges, silpped proper, within an orle of thistles or" (a blue shield with a border of gold thistles and three oranges in the centre) and the arms of Livingston of Wemyss. The supporters are a silver horse and a savage with a staff, with crest and motto and a coronet.

Thomas was the elder of two sons of Sir Thomas Livingston (d.1673) and his wife Gertrat (Edmond). In 1673 he succeeded his father as Viscount Teviot and, as the inscription recounts, served in the army in The Netherlands and came to England with William III in 1688. He married Macktellina Walrave de Nimmeguen but they separated. With no male heir the viscountcy became extinct on his death.

Further Reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004