Digital Commons Network^™

Peter Van Brugh Livingston To John Kean, March 7, 1788, Peter Van Brugh Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, his son-in-law, addressed to Beaufort, SC, to the care of Mr. Chisholm, merchant in Charleston, SC. He had written him previously and sent the letter by way of Dr. Beard and Captain Elliott. However, Captain Silcorks's ship is bound for Charleston so he wrote again. He gave an update on Susan and the baby and gave news of the family including Philip Livingston and Sarah Ricketts. The weather had been very severe and the East River froze over and you could take a sled to Staten Island.

John Kean To Susan Kean, January 8, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote to comfort Susan and her worries regarding her pregnancy and John being absent for the birth. He pointed out that his friend General Barnwell had five children and was only present for the birth of one. He was sad to hear of the death of Susan's cousin Molly who died young but was glad Mr. Jay was doing better. He commented on Edward Livingston's upcoming marriage and that he felt Kitty was too good for Hindman. Mr.s Knox and Mrs. W. Livingston had both recently given birth. …

John Kean To Susan Kean, December 22, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote he had been detained at Hilton Head by the bad weather, but returned now. His health was about the same as when he left Susan, which was ok for winter. The trees Susan had sent him were lost at sea. He wrote he was worried about Susan's sister Eliza, who had recently given birth and inquired about her and the baby. He noted that many of his friend's wives in South Carolina were also pregnant. He wrote an Americanized version of an old Scotch ballad for Susan …

John Kean To Susan Kean, December 9, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He spent the last 10 days at Hilton Head and St. Helena inspecting his plantation. He made reference to Enslaved People, a fire that had damaged part of the main plantation, and how much his crops brought in. Susan is pregnant and he was excited to hear she and the baby are healthy.

John comments on not counting money accurately on "Violet's good behavior and Sally's kind conduct. Ceasar was cured - he could not return to tell you" [end of page]. The letter appears incomplete.

People Included: Wilcox, …

John Kean To Susan Kean, November 28, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort, SC to his wife Susan Kean. He explained to her his trip from Charleston to Beaufort, but before embarking on the journey he was able to visit their nieces which gave him immense comfort. The trip was plagued by cold and damp weather but fortunately it did not provoke any health complications as John wrote that there was "no bleeding or spitting of blood". He also planned to visit some of his properties in the area which included their unfinished house. He was sure that the carpenters were done with their work but needed to …

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 23, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote about his health and how he almost felt envious of James Ricketts and Lewis William Otto as they are in good health and did not have to be separated from their wives. His sister, Jane Corvaisier gave birth early due to an earthquake and the baby died soon after. She was traveling to France to recover. He sent his best to Mrs. Chancellor and prayed for her health and was glad to hear Peter Van Brugh Livingston was doing better. He hoped that should a …

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 19, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote about how much he missed Susan and longed to be with her in New York as well as his health. He sent her a branch from a Pride of India tree and described its beauty. All the merchants except one had closed up shop and he was unable to get Susan the items she requested.

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 8, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had arrived and Beaufort and wrote about the state of his plantation there. A large portion of the indigo crop had been destroyed by crickets. John complained that he could make twice what he did if he were a better planter and his enslaved people better managed. He wrote about the possibility of renting the Beaufort plantation and selling all his land in Georgia to pay off his debts. He wrote about his health and how he had been drinking Celson Water. He was currently staying …

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 3, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. Tinker had left with bills of exchange to deliver to Susan, but John was enclosing duplicates in case those were lost. He had been held up in Charleston by the bad weather. He had been staying in his room by the fire for his health. He wrote at length about how the weather affects his health and his cough. He said usually he would go to Long Island and was glad to not be in the New York cold.

John Kean To Susan Kean, March 28, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that he missed her and he had seen Tinker and Crossfield. He thought about sending Crossfield to deliver his letter so he could personally assure Susan of John's health. He spoke to Mr. Silk and agreed to loan him money to pay for his wife and family's passage and asked Susan to help arrange it. He expected to be in Beaufort on Friday.

John Kean To Susan Kean, March 26, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. A section on the third page of the letter is missing. He inquired about Susan's health and wrote of how much he missed her. Mr. Turner was hosting a ball for the end of the winter season and John wrote of how extravagantly people dressed for it. He also spoke of a dinner her had with Mr. Tucker.

John Kean To Susan Kean, March 23, 1787, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had been sick, but his landlady, Mrs. Broddie, was nursing him back to health. He was sharing a room with another man named John who was also sick. He asked Susan to ask Lawrence and Morris to send him money that was paid to his account. It appears the first part of the letter is missing.

The Case, Trevett Against Weeden

Library Archive

Wherein the Rights of the People to Trial by Jury, &c. are dated and maintained, and the Legislative, Judiciary and Executive Powers of Government examined and denned.

John Kean To Susan Livingston, August 29, 1786, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Claremont to Susan Livingston, address not included. He had received her letters and some from South Carolina upon returning to Claremont, including a parcel of watermelons. He would travel tomorrow to Poughkeepsie and then slowly down to New York. He did not think Hindman would marry soon and that he would be in New York as soon as John got there. Mrs. M and Edward also talked about leaving Saturday. He was glad to hear Mrs. L paid Susan a visit and that Susan's health had improved.

John Kean To Susan Livingston, August 14, 1786, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Claremont to Susan Livingston, address not included. Hindman had arrived on Saturday, but they postponed their trip to Lebanon until Thursday, partly due to Robert R. Livingston's ongoing lawsuit. John said that if the trip got delayed again he would not go as he was expected in New York on September 1. He hoped that Susan would accept an invitation to go to Elizabethtown as the country air would be good for her health. Kitty was excited by Hindman's return and spent the day with him. The next day John planned to go to the upper …

John Kean To Susan Livingston, August 9, 1786, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Livingston, address not included. He wrote about a party he attended with Mr. Joubert which was also attended by Margaret Beekman Livingston, Edward Livingston, and Mrs. Houstoun. He was worried about his health as it had not been great again. He wrote about the relationship of their friend Kitty and her suitor. He was glad to hear of Eliza Livingston's happiness, possibly referring to her engagement to Lewis William Otto.

John Kean To Susan Livingston, July 30, 1786, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Claremont to Susan Livingston, address not included. He was still at Claremont due to his gout and his friend Hindman's wishes and did not think he would move further North. He was upset that he would not get to see the Cohes. Hindman was supposed to go to Lebanon on August 15 but had to return to New York. John had been spending time with the Livingston family and mentioned reading Mr. Blair's sermon on Candour to them. He said that the "good old lady", presumably Margaret Beekman Livingston was taking good care of him. He …

John Kean To Susan Livingston, C. 1786 (12), John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Livingston, unaddressed. He explained how the damp weather would not only put a halt to an excursion he had planned, but would also put a delay on he and Susan seeing each other again. He inquired to know about her health and wrote how he surprisingly held up very well even in the unsatisfactory weather. This item is not dated.

Benjamin Harrison To Alexander Donald, November 7, 1785, Benjamin Harrison

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Brandon, VA to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond, VA. He inquired about his health and mentioned his own. He wrote that Mr. Willison was in town and after breakfast was going to speak with Mr. Lightfoots about buying wheat from Donald's ship. He mentioned their mutual friends Mr. Manson, Mrs. Page, and Mr. Burton.

David Ramsay To John Kean, September 13, 1785, David Ramsay

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

David Ramsay wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Congress. He requested that John transfer money to different people including Col. Bayard, Mr. Collins, and Miss Rally Ellis at Col. White's in Elizabethtown. Included at the end is a receipt between David Ramsay and Col. White via John Kean that is signed by Stephen Tinker.

People Included: Josiah Smith, Dr. Ragers, and Isaac Collins.

Benjamin Harrison To Alexander Donald, July 29, 1785, Benjamin Harrison

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Brandon, VA to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond, VA. He wrote regarding a bond between him and a Mr. Tabb. He mentioned that his fishing club met and he hoped that Alexander would come soon to a meeting and bring Mr. Manson. He thought their upcoming trip to Norfolk would be good for his health as he had had a fever.

People Included: Mr. Matthews, Betsy, Mr. Gammell, Col. Harrison, and Miss A_l_a.

Benjamin Harrison To Unknown Person, May 5, 1785, Benjamin Harrison

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Brandon, VA to an unknown person, address not included. He had just returned home and was sick, but was doing better now. He received the letter written from Richmond and wrote he does not know much of the Georgetown acquaintance it referred to. However, from what he does know of the family he did not think they would be valuable correspondents. He mentioned John Page's estate and mentioned a partnership.

People Include: Mr. Burton, John Tyler, M. Page, and John Allen.

Excerpt, An Historical Narrative And Topographical Description Of Louisiana And West Florida, Thomas Hutchins, Michelle Sonnenberg, Hannah Gorski

Early Visions Bucket

"An Historical Narrative and Topographical Description of Louisiana and West Florida (1784) gives a base description of the coastline, river systems, and barrier islands of Louisiana and West Florida. Thomas Hutchins utilizes soundings and charts created by George Gauld, an engineer employed by the British Admiralty to survey the Gulf Coast. (Sections included here are the Preface, descriptions of the West Florida Panhandle and the Tortugas, the Conclusion, and a Table of Distances that closes the volume.)"

The French Gazette, Norman Desmarais, Carl Becker

Primary Sources

The French Gazette is an English translation of the Gazette Françoise, the French newspaper published in Newport, RI by the French fleet that brought the Count de Rochambeau and 5800 French troops to America in July, 1780. The newspaper intended to translate various news items printed in American newspapers to keep the officers and men abreast of political events in this emerging nation. It is the first known service newspaper published by an expeditionary force. The French facsimile edition is also available elsewhere on this site.

Gazette Francoise

Primary Sources

The Gazette Françoise is a facsimile edition of the French newspaper published in Newport, RI by the French fleet. The newspaper intended to translate various news items printed in American newspapers to keep the officers and men abreast of political events in this emerging nation. It is the first known service newspaper published by an expeditionary force. The English translation is available elsewhere on this site.

The History Of Emily Montague Vol I, Frances Brooke

Settler Literature Archive

No abstract provided.

Note Granting Lieut. Samuel Dogget Leave For A Month. Signed By Horatio Gates, Ticonderoga, New York, 1776., Horatio Gates, Continental Army

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Lieutenant Doggett is granted one month's leave in September of 1776. At the time this note was written Gates was headquartered at Ticonderoga, New York.

Dumb Speech, Or The Art Of Conversing By The Fingers Only, As Well In The Dark As In The Light, R. Aiken

Deaf Rare Books

No abstract provided.

Selections From Adam Smith's Wealth Of Nations (1776), Adam Smith

Readings in American Civic Literacy

No abstract provided.

1775, Aug 30 - Thomas Gilchrist, Thomas Gilchrist

Thomas Gilchrist Letters

Letter to uncle, Thomas Edgar, about the American Colonies and preparations for war.