Digital Commons Network^™

John Kean To Susan Kean, May 27, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, addressed to No. 32 Broad Street, New York, NY. South Carolina reached a decision regarding the new constitution, becoming the 8th state to ratify it. He did not think living in Elizabethtown would be a good idea, and would explain more when he saw her. The cold weather brought back his cough, but it seemed to be getting better. He planned on sailing to New York Thursday.

Benjamin Harrison For Alexander Donald To Donald And Burton, May 26, 1788, Benjamin Harrison

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Bill of exchange addressed to Donald and Burton, merchants in London, to pay Alexander Donald 140 pounds and signed by Benjamin Harrison.

John Stoney To John Kean, May 22, 1788, John Stoney

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Stoney wrote from Hilton Head to John Kean, addressed to New York. He wrote to give Kean an update on his plantation at Hilton Head. He said the crops were coming up well and specifically mentioned corn and indigo. He gave a bushel of Indigo seeds to Mr. Wiggs as requested. He also mentioned briefly a job tasked to thee enslaved people and that they were all doing well.

John Charles Lucena To John Kean, May 12, 1788, John Charles Lucena

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Charles Lucena wrote from London to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC.He wrote regarding an account between them. Lucena wrote that there was an error in the account regarding enslaved people and explained it. He also advised John that the land on the neck will not yield an adequate return.

James Cuthbert To John Kean, May 7, 1788, James Cuthbert

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

James Cuthbert wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort. He sent his account against the Estate of Peter Laveen, deceased. The account is no longer with the letter.

John Kean To Susan Kean, May 5, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had recieved all of Susan's letters from January and March at once. Included with them was a letter from their friend St. Clair. He thanked Susan for suppressing a letter he sent to Lewis William Otto, as he knew now it would have just upset him. Otto was possibly getting a new assignment, which John though would be good as he would be away from reminders Eliza Otto and be busy. He wrote that he did not think Peter's hair would be red, but rather light …

John Kean To William Stephens, April 21, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to William Stephens, addressed to Savannah, GA. He wrote about property ownership in Georgia, the Gwinnet Estate settlement, and asked him to cancel his newspaper subscription as they had been delivered too irregularly.

People Included: Wilcox, Bradwell, Sheriff Dollar, Hall, Andrew Parish, R. Demere, and Johnson.

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 20, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that he was worried he would not be back in Beaufort in time to send a letter with Wilcox, but luckily he was. He would forward Wilcox $200 which he would repay once he arrived in New York. John had been busy planting and was feeling fatigued. He wrote about how he did not like being a part from Susan and about their son, Peter Kean.

Bartholomew Corvaisier To John Kean, April 18, 1788, Bartholomew Corvaisier

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Bartholomew Corvaisier wrote from Port-au-Prince to John Kean, addressed to Charleston. The letter was written in French.

Benjamin Harrison To Alexander Donald, April 16, 1788, Benjamin Harrison

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Hanover to an unknown person, most likely Alexander Donald, address not included. He wrote about his travel plans and how they changed from traveling to Richmond to Fredericksburg. He mentioned their friend J. Mink. The majority of the letter discussed something of Pantaloon's that was unsold, possibly horses as he mentioned them later in the letter. He mentioned that Mr. Page had no desire to buy it and he planned to advertise in the newspaper.

John Kean To William Stephens, April 12, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, addressed to Savannah, GA. He wrote about the sale property in Georgia and converting property to track. He mentioned making sure it was conveyed to Mr. Habersham that some land was sold. The letter was sent to William via Mr. Wilcox.

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 11, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that Susan should have a nurse to feed their son as he worried for her health. He said that if Elizabeth Livingston and Sarah Ricketts had one in mind she should listen to them. He mentioned that Miss Van Horne was traveling to New York in May and he hoped she could accompany Betsey Bayard. CP is engaged in Miss Laurens and John sent letters for Susan's family and Dr. Bard.

Edmund Randolph For Samuel Beele To Richard Anderson And Nathaniel Anderson, April 10, 1788, Edmund Randolph

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Bill of Exchange from Edmund Randolph to Richard Anderson and Nathaniel Anderson, Merchants in London, ordering them to pay 52 Pound Stirling to Samuel Beele.

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 8, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. John had finally received letters sent by Susan and her family letting him know she delivered the baby and both are healthy. He recommended she have the baby inoculated as soon as it was safe to do so. He would return to her in May, but is not sure how yet. He wished Schermerhorn had left Savannah a little sooner. If he had then John could have gone with him on his return and taken charge of Betsey Bayard since Houstoun had no plans of returning.

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 5, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He returned to Beaufort from Savannah, GA. He gave a list of all the money he owed, what was owed to him, and property he owned. He told Susan that he transferred 2000 acres of land in Georgia to a trust for her and her children. Her trustees were William Stephens, Philip Livingston, and Robert Barnwell. John wrote that once the conflicts with local Native Americans were over he would turn it into a functioning plantation worked by up to 100 enslaved people. The letter is missing …

John Kean To William Stephens, April 4, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included. He wrote that he left the deeds with the Major Habersham for his wife to sign. Once they were signed John requested they be recorded and that if possible a survey be done of the land.

John Kean To William Stephens, April 3, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included, and asked to be sent papers Schooner Washington- Job Prays account & William Deueaux.

John Kean To William Stephens, April 1, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included. He asked that William draw up deeds from James Habersham to William Stephens, Philip Livingston, and Robert Barnwell in trust for Susan Kean and her heirs.

John Kean To Susan Kean, April 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Kean was glad to hear Susan decided to stay with friends. In response to her question regarding their residence, Kean informed her that if the office they had in contemplation, or if the representation of the state in Congress was to take effect, he would continue to New York or wherever Congress decided to reside. If they were to return in the fall, it would be better to hire servants than to pay the passage for their slaves Celia, Sarah, and two children. If they were to stay longer, he would bring them. …

John Kean To William Stephens, March 31, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included. He asked for William to send him Major John Habersham's bond and the evidence of James and Cot Habersham's debt, which may be part of the Harris Estate. He said he would not bother him with other matters as William was sick. He supposed the men at William's office could draw up deeds for the land in Liberty County.

Bartholomew Corvaisier To John Kean, March 28, 1788, Bartholomew Corvaisier

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Bartholomew Corvaisier wrote from Port-au-Prince to John Kean, his brother-in-law, addressed to Charleston, SC. The letter was written entirely in French.

B. Garden To John Kean, March 23, 1788, B. Garden

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

B. Garden wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC regarding a bond of Mr. H Wiggs that he previously had in his possession. He had sent the bond to his attorney in the event he needed to take legal action to collect the money.

Benjamin Harrison To Alexander Donald, March 12, 1788, Benjamin Harrison

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Prince George, VA to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond. He enclosed the bills of exchange and thanked Alexander for sending him buttons. He wrote to Mr. Carr about his father, Nathaniel Harrison's, bonds. If he did not hear from him before going to Fredericksburg he would resolve the matter. He also planned to travel to Richmond. He wrote that his predictions for the election came true.

John Grive To John Kean, March 10, 1788, John Grive

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Grive wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote about an account with Mr. Wilcox, Kean's crop, horses, and other financial matters.

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.

Susan Kean To John Kean, March 7, 1788, Susan Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Susan Kean wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, her husband, addressed to Beaufort, to the care of Alexander Chisholm, merchant, Charleston. She wrote about their son who was not yet named. She asked his opinion on the name Peter Philip James. She also said they needed to discuss where they would live in the summer and that Lewis William Otto was selling some of his furniture cheaply. She requested that he send some Sevil Orange trees to Sarah Ricketts. The first page is a modern note on the letter, noting that it was written on the 9th day after Peter …

John Kean To Jacob Read, March 5, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Jacob Read, addressed to Charleston. He asked Read t send him his bond with Hilderson Wiggs as their business was settled. He said he would pay Read when he went to Charleston. He also wrote that their mutual friend Pinckney had gotten married. The third page is an inventory of different letter sets with a mark next to the name John Kean. the letter described in the inventory is this one.

Lewis William Otto To Susan Kean, March 1, 1788, Lewis William Otto

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Lewis William Otto wrote to Susan Kean, addressed to Mr. Ricketts's Elizabethtown. He wrote congratulating her on the birth of her son, Peter Kean, and said that he told her brother, Philip Livingston, and Mrs. La Forest.

Peter Van Brugh Livingston To John Kean, February 28, 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 by the care of Mr. Chisholm, Charleston, SC. He responded to two letters John had sent and told him about Eliza Otto's death. He said that he was unable to give Kean a loan to help with the fire damage done to his property. Susan, John's wife and Peter's daughter had given birth to a baby boy at Elizabethtown. She had gone there to stay with her father, step-mother, Elizabeth Livingston, and sister, Sarah Ricketts.

John Kean To Jacob Read, February 26, 1788, John Kean

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Jacob Read, addressed not included. He wrote asking Jacob to send to Alexander Chisolm the bond from Isaac Weatherly and Benjamin Matthews to John Kean. On the back is a short note signed by Alexander Chisolm that said he received the bond.