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Thomas Gibbons To John Kean, June 6, 1783, Thomas Gibbons

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Thomas Gibbons wrote to John Kean addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote that he intended to visit Georgia where he would visit Mr. Stephens and that he would speak about a letter he received from John Kean to him. He then discussed payment on a bond and legal business conducted with John Charles Lucena.

Robert Morris To George Abbot Hall, May 16, 1783, Robert Morris, United States Superintendent Of Finance

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Robert Morris, Office of Finance, wrote to George Abbott Hall, receiver for South Carolina. He discussed prices of Requisitions and how the price must be reduced to hard money value or credited on the Old Requisition and for specific supplies. Morris transmitted the Account Hall sent to the Treasury.

William Livingston To Robert Morris, May 14, 1783, William Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Livingston, in New Jersey, gave Robert Morris, no address, permission to go into New York, or any other enemy lines, and return back to New Jersey.

Account List By William Stephens, March 10, 1783, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

A list of names and amounts of money owed. At the bottom it said that the papers were received by William Stephens. William most likely prepared this lost for John Kean.

Sarah Ricketts To Susan Livingston, February 6, 1783, Sarah Ricketts

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Sarah wrote from London to her sister Susan, addressed to Baskenridge, care of Peter V.B. Livingston Jr. in New York. It began "My Dear Girls," but doesn't name the other sister. Sarah described the sea voyage from Sandy Hook, NJ to Plymouth, England in winter, as well as her conversation with the Captain about Privateers. Mr. Ricketts was out of the Army. The cost of living was better in London than in New York. Sarah shared updates about people in London. Mrs. Arnold had a daughter. Mr. Penn saw Mr. and Mrs. Jay in Paris. She asked letters to Mr. …

An Act For Allowing The Importation Of Goods From Europe In Neutral Ships Into The Islands Of Saint Christopher, Nevis, Montserrat, Dominica, Saint Vincent, Grenada, And The Grenadines...

British Parliamentary Acts

No abstract provided.

Vox Oculis Subjecta : A Dissertation On The Most Curious And Important Art Of Imparting Speech, And The Knowledge Of Language To The Naturally Deaf, And, Consequently, Dumb..., Francis Green

Deaf Rare Books

No abstract provided.

The United States Elevated To Glory And Honor (1783), Ezra Stiles D.D., Reiner Smolinski , Editor

Electronic Texts in American Studies

Stiles' best-known work is this 1783 election sermon, which was delivered at Hartford, Connecticut, at the annual election of the governor, state representatives, and senators. True to the spirit of his Puritan ancestors, Stiles sounds a number of time-honored American themes newly adapted to the rising prospects of the young United States of America. What was once a tribal Errand into the Wilderness of New England Stiles now translates into God’s federal covenant with all citizens of the United States—no matter what their parochial creed or particular denomination: “The political welfare of God’s American Israel” is “allusively prophetic of the …

Sarah Ricketts To Susan Livingston, Circa 1783, Sarah Ricketts

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Sarah Ricketts wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Sarah informed Susan that she wrote to her last week and her letter was sent with Parker. They had a severe gale of wind and she supposed Mr. Huger rejoiced he was not on board. Eliza’s mouth was sore because she was teething. Mr. Gardoqui was going home very soon; Mrs. Knox claimed he was ordered home and was afraid he would not be received favorably. His friend, Don Galvez’s body was taken up and burnt, his house pulled down to the ground, and everything was taken from his family. Mr. Huger informed …

Nathaniel Greene To Unknown And Robert Morris To Nathaniel Greene, September 11, 1782, Nathaniel Greene, Robert Morris

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Robert Morris wrote from the Office of Finance to Nathaniel Greene, address not included. Included on the first page of the letter is an extract from a letter from Nathaniel Greene to an Unknown Person dated August 13, 1782. Both letters discussed the cost of rations and supplies for the military and whether they could be bought at better prices for cash. Greene's letter mentioned ravishes done on Georgia. Both also mentioned previous letters sent to George Abbott Hall.

No. 3, Office Of Finance, Between 1782-1783, Robert Morris, William Duer, United States Superintendent Of Finance

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

The top of the document is labeled "No. 3." It includes copies of four letters written from the Office of Finance about the cost of the American Revolution. It likely belonged to John Kean. Details about the copies: George Abbot Hall, Receiver for South Carolina, June 10, 1782, no signature. September 11, 1782, no signature. January 22, 1783, signed by R. [Robert] Morris. May 16, 1783, signed by Wm [William] Duer, Secretary.

William Duer To John Matthews, April 29, 1782, William Duer

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Duer wrote from the Office of Finance to John Matthews, Governor of South Carolina. He wrote acknowledging a letter received at Jacksonburgh and said he was happy the Governor would be sending Accounts of Expenditures for January, February, and March. Once those reports were received and he spoke with Mr. Hall, William would have been able to judge a system the state had adopted.

John Charles Lucena To John Kean, April 24, 1782, John Charles Lucena

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Charles Lucena wrote to John Kean, address not included. Lucena was soon to leave South Carolina to move to London and wrote to explain his reasoning. He also summarized for John Kean various business and legal dealings he had been taking care of on Kean's behalf in both South Carolina and Georgia.

People Included: Moore, Panton, Laucens. Grove, Davis, Mr. Jones, Mr. Roberston, Stephens, Thomas Gibbons, and Farley.

Senate Act Signed By John Lewis Gervais, February 26, 1782, John Lewis Gervais

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Senate act for furnishing supplies for the army at the value of 373.590 Mexican Dollars, signed by John Lewis Gervais, President of the Senate and South Carolina Delegate to the Continental Congress. It was sent to Hugh Rutledge, Speaker of the House of Representative

John Brown To Susan Livingston, February 24, 1782, John Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Brown wrote from Greesbanks, near Kilmarnoch, North Britain, to Susan Livingston, his sister-in-law, addressed to Basking Ridge, NJ. He wrote that he hoped that soon the "unhappy disturbances", meaning the Revolutionary War, would soon be settled so he could more easily correspond with his family in America. He visited his daughter Mary Frances at school in Edinburgh, while he was there she came down with the measles. He said that she and his son, George Van Brugh Livingston, often talk about their family in New Jersey. He mentioned some silk and lace that his late wife, Mary Livingston, sent …

John Kean With Frances Ramadge, January 11, 1782, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Account list between Major John Kean and Frances Ramadge.

An Act For Allowing The Importation Of Goods Of The Growth, Produce, Or Manufacture, Of The Islands Of Saint Christopher, Nevis, And Montserrat, Into Any Ports Of His Majesty's Dominions In Europe Or America, Upon Payment Of The British Plantation Duties.

British Parliamentary Acts

No abstract provided.

Eliza Livingston To Susan Livingston, December 4, 1781, Elizabeth Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Eliza wrote to her sister, Susan, addressed to Philadelphia. Notable quotes "The mutiny of the Pennsylvania soldiers has made Susan uneasy and wonders if the unfortunate affair may deter the General." Eliza mentions a mutiny of Pennsylvania soldiers and that "this part of the country has been in great confusion, the soldiery have committed some acts most inhumanly horrid, but that is what happens when such a body is left to do what their unruly passions dictate." Names included: Col. Menges, Mr. Maylan, Peggy, Mrs. Ramsey, Mrs. Bland. Eliza was expecting gloves from Susan but didn't receive any.

Pierce Long To John Sparhawk, November 10, 1781, Pierre Long, Nathaniel Forsom

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Certification that John Sparhawk had approbation for retailing Spiritous Liquors, Portsmouth. Signed by Pierce Long, Nathaniel Forsom, and George Ge[?].

Arthur Campbell To Nathanael Green (2 August 1781), Arthur Campbell, Nathanael Greene

Skipwith Revolutionary War Letters

Campbell reports a pacific disposition among those forming the treaty, and expects that the Mountain Militia will soon be able to redeploy their resources toward Greene's position. He suggests that Continental Garrisons be erected in Indian territory along with land transfer as punishment for their aggression.

John Brown To Susan Livingston, April 26, 1781, John Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Brown wrote to Susan Livingston, his sister in law, addressed to Basking Ridge, NJ. James wrote telling Susan to send his best to the family including her father, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. He asked her to inquire after Peter Reid who was expecting a letter from, but had not heard from in some time. He also gave updates on some mutual friends.

People Included: George Van Brugh, Aunt Ricketts, Aunt Susan, Aunt Betsey, Cousin Bayard, Mr. Saterson, Lady Stirling, and Miss Brown.

Places Included: Philadelphia, PA, Carlise, London, and Ireland.

Henry Lee To Nathanael Greene (2 April 1781), Henry Lee, Nathanael Greene

Skipwith Revolutionary War Letters

Lee sympathizes with Greene for having less-than-motivated troops, and suggests some improvements that could be made to increase morale among the men. He also suggests appealing to the public's sense of patriotism.

John Brown To Susan Livingston, Circa 1781, John Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Brown wrote to Susan Livingston addressed to the care of Peter V.B. Livingston in New York, New York. Brown informed Susan that he went to Edinburgh to bring home Miss Mary, of which he engaged a governess who was recommended in the strongest terms by people he looked upon as Judges. Immediately after she arrived in the country, she was seized with the whooping cough. George V.B. was also affected. Hoped Mrs. Ricketts was well and had yet to hear of Philip’s arrival in England. This document is torn.

Gedichte (Poetry Collection, 1781), Karoline Christiane Louise Rudolphi

Poetry

No abstract provided.

John Brown To Susan Livingston, December 23, 1780, John Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Brown of Greesbank, near Kilmarnock, North Britain, wrote to his former sister-in-law Susan, addressed to Basking Ridge, NJ, c/o Peter Van Brugh Livingston, NY. He regrets receiving only one letter since the death of his wife, Mary (nickname Molly) Livingston, and hearing about the death of his former brother-in-law William [Alexander] Livingston. William died in a duel at a Continental Army camp in later summer 1780.

William Stephens To John Kean, September 22, 1789, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Stephens wrote from Savannah to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote that he would attend to Bryan's bond and Jacob Read could bring an action on the judgement against Bowman. Captain Godfrey had 500 shingles and 300 boards for John.

John Brown To Susan Livingston, August 5, 1780, John Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John, in Greesbank, near Kilmarnock, North Britain, wrote to his sister-in-law Susan, no address but likely in Basking Ridge, NJ. He acknowledged a letter addressed from Susan to her sister, his wife, Mary (nickname Molly) Livingston, recently deceased. Molly sent silk to Susan and her sisters before her death. Names included: Mr. Reed, Lady Mary Watts, [Peter Van] Brugh Livingston, Philip Livingston, Lord and Lady Dumfries, his children Mary, Frances, and George Van Brugh, and Susan's sister "Betsy." Notable quote: "...all hope that a reconstruction between Brittain and the Collonys [Colonies] may soon take place."

Anne Cox To Susan Livingston, Ann Coxe

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Anne, in Sudbury, PA, wrote to Susan, no address. The letter isn't addressed to Susan, but her name is written on the second page. Names included: Col. Livingston, Mr. Swift, Major Edwards, Cousin Tilghman, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Smith, Betsy, and Mr. Rutherford. Anne regrets she can't attend an invitation to visit Basking Ridge, NJ. Notable quote: "You Jersey ladies really have the advantage over all the Americans and engross the Beaux entirely, while we poor creatures here hardly see the face of one a week."

John Brown To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, April 4, 1780, John Brown

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John wrote from Greesbanks, near Kilmarnock, North Britain, to his father-in-law Peter Van Brugh Livingston, addressed to Baskinridge [Basking Ridge, NJ]. John is mourning the death of his wife (and Peter's daughter), Mary (nickname Molly) Livingston and the loss of a mother for their children: Margaret [possibly called Mary Frances], William, and George Van Brugh Brown. He enclosed a letter (not present) from people who knew Mary and wrote kind things about her.

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.