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Lewis William Otto To Susan Kean, December, 1788, Lewis William Otto

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Lewis William Otto wrote to his sister in-law Susan Kean, both locations unknown. He elaborated on some of his feelings after the passing of his wife and Susan's sister, Elizabeth "Eliza" Otto, claiming how he is "less attached to the beauties, to the charms of this world". He went on to explain how he still feels an attachment to Susan and the rest of the family and but was not sure if he could come back to Elizabethtown as he did not want to provoke any further grief. The letter is dated December of 1788 without an exact day of …

Samuel Lawrence To John Kean, November 28, 1788, Samuel Lawrence

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Samuel Lawrence wrote from Beaufort to John Kean, address not included. He wrote about renting store. He asked what improvements he could make and be reimbursed for as well as if he could rent for a year long term or only month to month. He mentioned rent from Robert Barnwell for a house and money paid by Mr. Fauchild.

William Stephens To John Kean, November 27, 1788, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Stephens wrote from Savannah to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He had received a letter from John via Thomson, the pilot, and was waiting on the answer. He congratulated John and his wife, Susan on a safe trip. He then wrote short updates on their friends including the marriage of Mr. Davies to Mr. Francis Stebbins, Mr. Deveaux leasing his plantation to General Elbert, and Peter Deveaux and Dr. Hall selling land. Peter Deveaux was selling his land for 10 pounds an acre and made mention of enslaved people in his terms.

John Woods To William Kain, November 19, 1788, John Woods

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Woods wrote from Charleston to William Kain, addressed to Mr. Ramsay's Broadstreet, Charleston. He wrote regarding a debt paid by Captain Slathes on his behalf. He wrote that he would discharge the debt before leaving town.

Lewis William Otto To Susan Kean, November 19, 1788, Lewis William Otto

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Lewis William Otto wrote from New York to Susan Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote about that his daughter, Eliza Otto, had been indisposed by teething, but was doing better. The family in Elizabethtown wanted to hear from Susan, and the De LaForest's missed Susan as did Lewis. All their friends expected John Kean, Susan's husband to have an appointment under the new government. He could not write much as Mr. Huger's ship was leaving soon but added the Gouverneur Morris was traveling to France on private business.

J. Rutledge To John Kean, November 17, 1788, J. Rutledge

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

J. Rutledge wrote to John Kean, address not included. He wrote regarding a bond between John and E. Baird [?].

Henry William Desaussure To John Kean, November 9, 1788, Henry William Desaussure

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Henry wrote to John Kean, no address. Henry will visit John and his wife Susan. Henry will "do as you have requested" and has a "conviction that the community will be benefited by your services."

Lewis William Otto To Susan Kean, November 8, 1788, Lewis William Otto

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Lewis William Otto wrote from New York to Susan Kean, address not included. He wrote that he hoped the rest of Susan's voyage went well and that he would miss her and John while they were gone. He updated her on friends and family including his daughter, Eliza Otto, Mr. Bayard, Sarah Ricketts, Mr. Houstoun, Mrs. De LaForest, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Berkel.

Sarah Ricketts To Susan Kean, November 8, 1788, Sarah Ricketts

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Sarah Ricketts wrote to her sister Susan Kean addressed to Beaufort, SC. She told Susan about a stormy boat ride she and the family endured and informed her about the hiring of a housekeeper. Additionally, she mentioned how she recommended Susan's wet nurse to Mr. Griffin and Mrs. Griffin as they were in need of one. People included: Mr. Griffin, Mrs. Griffin, Mr. Otto, Mr. Huger, John Livingston. Places included: Kinderhook, New York.

Margaret Livingston To John Kean, October 13, 1788, Margaret Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Margaret Livingston wrote from Clermont, NY to John Kean, address not included. She wrote she was upset she had not yet had the chance to see John, Susan, and their baby, Peter, and wrote at length about religion. In the postscript, she asked if he would accept 3 each of Spilenberg pearmain and Pippin apples.

William Constable To Unknown Person, October 12, 1788, William Constable

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Constable wrote to an unknown person, address not included. He wrote about shipping and his business, specifically items being sent to Great Britain, the Port of New York, and inland. He wrote about shipping flour, mahogany, dye woods, Indian corn, Indian and rye meal, cider, apples, butter bread, indigo, tobacco, dye, cotton wool, ferns (?), fish, pig jam, stork, lumber, and ship timber.

John Randolph To St. George Tucker, October 12, 1788, John Randolph

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Randolph wrote from New York, NY to St. George Tucker, his father, addressed to Matoax, VA. He wrote about the possibility of him returning home to Virginia, at least for the break. He said it was much more costly in New York to live and was apprehensive because he had not gotten a response to his last two letters. He also wrote about Dr. Johnson, his admittance to college, and how he wanted to change his course of study from Greek to modern languages. He asked that his love be sent to Miss Maria and the children.

Samuel Wilcox To John Kean, October 1, 1788, Samuel Wilcox

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Samuel Wilcox wrote from Hartford to John Kean, addressed to New York. Wilcox recently married Miss Falcott and the two were heading down to Carolina in the fall. He said that they would be in New York in 12 days and try to sail down with John Kean.

William Stephens To John Kean, September 25, 1788, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Stephens wrote from Savannah to John Kean, addressed to New York, NY. At the beginning of the letter, he wrote about financial matters having to do with Dr. Hall, the Gainnetti Estate, Captain Pray, and Mr. Wercat. He then wrote about property and deeds saying he recorded the ones from Habersham and Deveaux, but had not heard from John Dollar. The letter also discussed the latest news with regards to the local Native Americans and the attempts at a treaty. William complained not enough progress was being made and mentioned a letter from Mr. Mac Gillwray to General Whitefield …

John Randolph To St. George Tucker, September 10, 1788, John Randolph

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Randolph wrote from Princeton to St. George Tucker, his father, addressed to Matoax, VA. He wrote that he had to postpone his trip to New York due to the weather and asked about the health of his brothers Richard and Theodorick. He sent messages for the family.

People Included: Uncle Thomas, Fanny, Eliza, Henry, Tudor, Nat, Mr. Corderius

Peter Van Brugh Livingston To John Kean, September 4, 1788, Peter Van Brugh Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote Ancram to John Kean, his son-in-law, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY. Peter Kean, John's son had been ill, but had a new nurse and was doing well. If John plans to leave the house he was staying in, Peter had a number of applicants for it including Mr. Barry, Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Georgres, and Dr. John Cochran.

Report Of Slaves In St. Domingo, Circa September 1788

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

The following document is a newspaper clipping that reported the “State of the French Colony at St. Domingo, with respect to its population and cultivated lands” compared to the years 1785 and 1786.

Jacques Voorhees With James Pitney, August 22, 1788, Jacques Voorhees

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Indenture between Jacques Voorhees and James Pitney. Voorhees sold Pitney a plot of land in Mendham, County of Morris, NJ for 380 pounds. The agreement was witnessed by Nelly Voorhees, Jacques' wife.

Samuel Wilcox To John Kean, August 13, 1788, Samuel Wilcox

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Samuel Wilcox wrote from Hartford, CT to John Kean, addressed to New York, regarding cotton prices and manufacturing in relation to South Carolina and the Indies.

City Citizen's Oath, Hendrik Van Raalte, Nella Kennedy

Van Raalte Papers: 1700-1799

Hendrik Van Raalte, a former resident of Zwartsluis, made an oath that he would be a good citizen of Amsterdam. He is a seaman. Since he came from Zwartsluis, there may be an Albertus C. Van Raalte connection.

Peter Van Brugh Livingston To John Kean, August 12, 1788, Peter Van Brugh Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, his son-in-law, address not included. James Ricketts arrived back in Elizabethtown and delivered John's letters and money sent to Peter. He was glad to hear Peter Kean, John's son, was doing better.

Alexander Chisolm To John Kean, August 5, 1788, Alexander Chisolm

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Alexander Chisolm wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to New York, NY. He wrote about taxes and a settlement. He said that he had paid Mr. Newfull and Dr. Wilson and was in Treaty with W. Cook and Pippin.

David Ramsay To John Kean, July 28, 1788, David Ramsay

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

David Ramsay wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to New York. He wrote regarding an upcoming senate election, in particular one of the candidates, Charles Pinckney. He wrote that several other men have been mentioned such as General Manthie and Ralph Izard.

People included: Robert Barnwell, John Mutledge

Peter Van Brugh Livingston To John Kean, July 28, 1788, Peter Van Brugh Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Abysenia to John Kean, address not included. The Convention adopted the new Constitution. He, Elizabeth Livingston, and Sarah Ricketts sent their best and hoped Lewis William Otto was doing better than when they last saw him.

Margaret Livingston To John Kean, July 16, 1788, Margaret Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Margaret Livingston wrote from Cleremont to John Kean, address not included. she apologized for not answering his letter sooner and offered her congratulations to him and Susan on the birth of their son, Peter Kean. She was glad to hear from both John and Mr. Huger that John's health has improved. She also wrote about her fruit trees and said she would send John's sentiments on to her son, Edward.

William Stephens To John Kean, July 15, 1788, William Stephens

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

William Stephens wrote from Savannah to John Kean, address not included. He wrote considering John Kean's finances and financial matters. He enclosed a copy of a letter regarding Captain Pray's attachment and account. He also referenced a letter from James Habersham (James Habersham to William Stephens, July 8, 1788). He ended the letter by writing about the new intended government and its financial system.

People Included: Mr. Houstoun, Mr.Wereat, Major Fishbourne, Patton, Peter Lavien, and Dr. Macloud.

John Bull To John Kean, July 13, 1788, John Bull

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Bull wrote from Philadelphia to John Kean, addressed to New York. He had just arrived in Philadelphia and was planning to travel to Trenton, NJ, and then to New York. He had previously been in Charleston and Beaufort, SC, and said the weather had damaged crops. He referenced a letter sent by Robert Barnwell.

Margaret Livingston To Susan Kean, July 11, 1788, Margaret Livingston

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Margaret Livingston wrote to Susan Kean, her cousin, addressed to New York. Margaret wrote that she was sending Susan's husband, John Kean, some trees and told Susan how she should request they be placed on the ship and where John should put them once they arrived.

James Habersham To William Stephens, July 8, 1788, James Habersham Jr.

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

James Habersham wrote from Savannah to William Stephens, address not included. He wrote regarding a certificate of John Kean's that was left with him.

Samuel Stirk To William Stephens, June 30, 1788, Samuel Stirk

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Samuel Stirk wrote from Savannah, GA to William Stephens, address not included. He wrote regarding a legal issue between Captain Pray and John Kean as surviving partner of Lavien & Kean. He wrote he had directions to withdraw the attached, presumably a lawsuit, if they agreed instead to submit all the accounts to arbitration.