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William Stephens To John Kean, October 13, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York. William said the payment was delayed by a local loan officer, who doesn't yet have instructions. The Federal Circuit Court will likely delay "Wereat against Kean" until next April. William suggested John sell his land before the trial so he can get more money and cover his debts. He also wrote about Guarda Courtes, Colonel [Alexander] Hamilton, and John Wood, concerning a boat.

William Wilkie To John Kean, September 23, 1790, William Wilkie

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York via Captain Elliott. William says Merchants won't agree on a price for indigo, so sales were slow since January. He sent a pair of shoes for enslaved people for a pattern (not included).

Name included: Mr. Barnwell.

Jacob Read To John Kean, September 20, 1790, Jacob Read

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Jacob wrote to John, addressed to New York, via Captain Elliot on the Sloop Maria. His handwriting is challenging.

Topics included: Court of Common Pleas, Court of Chancery, payment from John's creditors, bonds, the Office of Sheriffs, and weather.

Names included: Robert Barnwell, Mr. Pringle, Rutledge, General Pinckney, Pritchard, and Tubly.

William Irvine To John Kean, September 7, 1790, William Irvine

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to Mr. Ricketts near Elizabeth Town, NJ. William wanted to see John but was informed John wasn't in New York. John used the address page to make addition notes.

William Wilke To John Kean, August 29, 1790, William Wilkie

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York, and hand delivered by Mr. Graham. William enclosed a letter from Beaufort (not present). William didn't receive money for John's indigo yet. The Sate Medium (money) is stable.

William Stephens To John Kean, August 17, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York via Sloop Jenny. William doesn't understand why Congress decided to more from New York to Philadelphia. William arrived in Augusta, GA and got very sick. He attended court and many matters were settled. He's concerned with expired tender, medium (money), taxation by the Legislature, State Debts, and British Debts. Crops appear plentiful. Regarding war with Spain and Britain, William suggested the U.S. "play Dutchman and milk the cow."

Names included: [John] Wereat (Auditor General of Georgia), Mrs. Box, and Mrs. Davies.

William Wilkie To John Kean, July 24, 1790, William Wilkie

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York. He enclosed an account sale for John's indigo and a statement of John's bond to Thomas Agier (neither are attached). William also sent 8 packets of newspapers by Captain Elliot. He wrote about South Carolina Medium [money] and its value.

Names included: Mr. Chisholm, Mr. Holmes, Maxwell, and Mr. White.

John Faucheraud Grimké To John Kean, June 13, 1790, John Faucheraud Grimké

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Grimké wrote to John, no address but presumably in New York. Grimké was en route to Newport, Rhode Island. He enclosed a bill of exchange for $700 and needed John to deposit the money so he will have access to it when he gets to New York.

Names included: Andrew Craigie, Leonard Bleecker, and Hazlehurst.

William Elliot To John Kean, June 9, 1790, William Elliot

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, c/o Joseph Clay Jr. in New York, to update John on the weather and agriculture onat John's plantation on Paris Island, SC during the fall and winter seasons. He includes details about indigo, corn, and potatoes, and the weather. Lightning struck a church steeple. William's Uncle Robert attended the State Convention in Columbia where the South Carolina State Constitution was revised. The parishes are divided. Names include Mr. Wilcox, Sam (who manages John's land), Dr. Cuthbert, Mrs. Elliot, and young William.

Letter From John Adams, New York, New York, To Henry Marchant : Autograph Manuscript Signed, 1790 June 1, John Adams, Wellesley College Special Collections

Autograph Letters Collection

No abstract provided.

William Stephens To John Kean, May 25, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York, care of Captain Smith.

Names and topics included: Box Lavien and Company, Act of Confiscation, Barnham and rice, attending Assembly, Yazoo Land, Hutchingson's land, Mr. Mitchell, De--[illegible], Dr. Hall, bills of exchange, and good weather.

William Stephens To John Kean, May 11, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William Stephens wrote to John, addressed to New York, care of Mr. Wilcox. William received $100 from Tubly's estate for John Kean. Mr. Wilcox will manage the money. Barnham shipped 8 barrels of John's rice, which can make a small profit "keeping the devil from your pocket, should he appear in the shape of a lawyer."

William Stephens To Unknown Person, May 10, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William Stephens wrote to an unknown person, unaddressed. Stephens wrote about rice being shipped by the sloop Friendship. He suggested the rice be sold in New York because of the scarcity of money in Savannah. Three companies of troops from New York left for St. Mary's, Georgia to the relief of settlers there, but the governor felt that such was unnecessary because "the Indians, are so peaceably welcomed." People included: Capt. Barnham, governor [of Georgia], President of the United States. Places included: New York, St. Mary's, GA.

Margaret Livingston To John Kean, May 7, 1790, Margaret Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Mrs. Margaret Livingston wrote to John, addressed to New York, by J. Chancellor. She was thankful to get his letter from Mr. Tillohan [?]. She refers to John's wife, Susan, as her cousin. Margaret comments on John's health and participation in national affairs. She is a practicing Christian. She thanks John for the melon seeds. She hopes to see John and Susan and meet their son Peter for the first time, in June, with her daughter. She describes Clermont, which needs improvements.

Draft To The Speaker Of The House From John Kean, April 29, 1790, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

This is a draft, by J.K. and J.T.G., from the Office of Accounts, to "The Honorable, The Speaker of the House of Representatives," (possibly Johnathan Trumbull Jr. who was elected Speaker on April 27, 1790) about their conclusion of the settlement of state debts.

Robert Barnwell To John Kean, March 11 And April 25, 1790, Robert Barnwell

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Robert wrote to John, no address, about the national debt, interest, and the Chamber of Commerce. He also discusses tax upon negroes and lands. A proposition was rejected by the majority and brought up as an address to the Congress of the United States of which John Kean approves.

Unknown To John Kean, April 21, 1790

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

This is an update on the settling of State Debts. The following states have been examined: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Georgia, and parts of Rhode Island. North Carolina and Virginia are still under examination.

William Stephens To John Kean, April 16, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York via Captain Carpenter. William sent a subpoena from [John] Wereat (Auditor General of Georgia), who thinks John was a co-partner of Box Lavien and Company, concerning payments to British merchants. William thinks Wereat is more concerned with foreign creditors than U.S. citizens. There is a possible land deal between William Deveaux and John Kean for good pasture on Argyle Island, 6 miles north of Savannah. William gives his opinion on settling state debts. The "Indians are quiet" and with soldiers in the southern counties, they can be settled. He finishes with …

William Wilkie To John Kean, April 14, 1790, William Wilkie

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William Wilkie, from Charleston, wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York via Captain Snell. John's indigo and rice are not selling. "Nothing will sell for near its value and when sold, Vendue [auction] Masters find it difficult to collect the money."

Names included: Oliver Stackweather (will deliver newspapers to John), Mr. White, and Mr. Pringle.

John Faucheraud Grimké To John Kean, April 2, 1790, John Faucheraud Grimké

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

John Faucheraud Grimké wrote from Charleston, SC, to John Kean, address not included. Grimké completed his index and thanks Kean for sending the book to [illegible name]. He is referring to Public Laws of the State of South Carolina (Philadelphia, 1790). The Pennsylvania Constitution arrived and he will read it. He describes the new State House in Columbia, SC.

Included: Meeting of the Cincinnati, General Knox, A.B, P.B., Sons of Hibernia, and Jacob Read.

Jacob Read To John Kean, April 1, 1790, Jacob Read

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Jacob wrote to John, addressed to New York via Captain Motley. Names included: Mr. Barnwell (bond not received), Tubly, Rutlege and Davis, Ed. Rutledge, Executors of Grove. Places named: Beaufort, Savannah, Columbia, and Coosawhatchie [River]. Also mentioned: Northern Spectators.

Philip Livingston To Susan Kean, March 27, 1790, Philip Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Philip wrote to his sister, Susan, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. Philip updates Susan on the purchase of bank shares and stocks on her behalf. Stocks went up in response to the President's message to Congress. Philip states "It is impossible to answer your question shall we have war - We hope not."

William Stephens To John Kean, March 24, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, no address. Names and topics included: Schermerhorn, [John] Wereat (Auditor General of Georgia), British Merchants, British Creditors, Confiscation of British Debts, Treaty of Peace, Peter Lavien (deceased and indebted to British merchants), Gazons (Western Territory People), Indians, Speculators, Carpenter, Tubly (dead and lumber not received for expected payment), Read, and General Cortamily [?].

Philip Livingston To Susan Kean, March 5, 1790, Philip Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Philip wrote to his sister, Susan, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. He is requesting Susan's advice on purchasing bank shares and stock on her behalf. He also mentions Commissioners in Paris.

John Randolf To St. George Tucker, March 5, 1790, John Randolph

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

John Randolf wrote to St. George Tucker, addressed to Williamsburg, VA. John wrote to his step father, whom he calls "Papa" concerning whether he was to leave college to work with Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, the new Attorney General of the United States. He disliked the formalities and regulations of college. People included: [Edmund] Randolph.

John Faucheraud Grimké To John Kean, February 20, 1790, John Faucheraud Grimké

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Grimké wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York via Captain Tillinghunt [?], Sloop Lady Haley. He has a great deal to say, in a philosophical and roundabout way, including some gossip. Topics include: printer in Philadelphia, National Expenditure and Revenue (a Mr. -- grossly miscalculated information), Hamilton's Report reached South Carolina, warm winter weather, Continental Oaths (refusal), creating laws, state debt, Congress, and acting as deputy adjutant general of the Southern Department, and it is race week. Names included: Lady and Knox, E. Rutledge, Barnwell, Izard, Smith, Tucker, Gernal Howe, General Lincoln, and Major Hyrne.

James Brown And Carter Braxton, February 19, 1790, Carter Braxton, James Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

James Brown and Carter Braxton wrote this receipt. James Brown withdrew 12 pounds from an account of unclear ownership. People included: James Brown, Adams, [Tobang].

William Wilkie To John Kean, February 16, 1790, William Wilkie

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John, addressed to New York by Captain Snell. Names included: Chisholm, Maxwell, Nuville, Robert Barnwell. Topics included: Loan Office Certificates, decrease in John's agriculture and textile prices, specifically indigo, rice, and the textiles ravens duck, ozanbrig [osenberg/osnaburg], frequently used to make clothes for enslaved people, and thread. William says the "paper money medium of this state is looked on as very good."

William Stephens To John Kean, February 12, 1790, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John Kean, no address. He gave updates on Georgia and John's business in that state. The British Creditors are suing for their debts. There are updates on the property that was confiscated from Loyalists. David Tably (dead), owned money to John, and rafts of lumber are held by John Clark as partial payment. William Deveans [or Devereux] offers John land in Argyle County to pay his debt. Ed. Davies has no known property, Bernard has property in Ireland, Mr. Goodsion has no remaining property. He finishes with comments on General Jackson and the "disposal of Western Territory."

William Cooke To John Kean, January 23, 1790, William Cooke

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

William wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York, care of Messrs Ludlow and Gould. William requests interest for an incomplete payment John made in 1782.