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Alexander Chisolm To John Kean, December 13, 1788, Alexander Chisolm

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Alexander Chisolm wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote that he would send him the wine he mentioned and the Colombian Herald. He said he was unable to find any seed oat for sale or grape seeds but said hopefully he would have them before planting.

John Habersham To John Kean, December 12, 1788, John Habersham

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

John Habersham wrote from Savannah to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He was happy to hear that John, his wife, Susan Kean, and their son, Peter Kean, were all in Beaufort. He said that he did not know of any land for hire but several lots for sale. He talked about problems in Georgia with the Spanish, on going treaty negotiations with the Native Americans, and run away slaves.

People Included: Andrew Lord, Mr. Greenwood, John Morel, Mr. Stephens, and M. Gillioray.

Beaumanoir De Laforest To Susan Kean, December 7, 1788, Beaumanoir De Laforest

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Beaumanoir De Laforest wrote from New York to Susan Kean, address not included. She wrote inquiring about Susan's trip and health as well as that of her infant son, Peter Kean. She said that she understood that it must be difficult for her to be in a new place where she does not know anyone and compared it to when she moved to America from her own country.

People Included: Mrs. Eveleigh, Mr. Huger, Mrs. Ricketts, Mr. Otto, Eliza Julia Otto, Miss De Crevecoeur, John Kean

Sarah Ricketts To Susan Kean, December 2, 1788, Sarah Ricketts

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Sarah Ricketts wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Sarah informed Susan she was disappointed her letters were delayed and sorry that Susan had been ill. Thought it fortunate that Miss Delancey was with her particularly as Mr. Kean was also sick. Franks advised Sarah before she wrote to Susan to go to New Ark to the new intelligence office that was established there and she will have the history of everyone and their servants. Phil left the Ricketts that morning and Mr. and Mrs. Evely took the stage with him. Mrs. Evely informed Phil that she knew Susan during the war. …

Eliza Gough To John Kean, Circa 1788, Eliza Gough

Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Eliza Gough wrote to John Kean, unaddressed. Eliza informed Kean that she wanted to write a few lines to her brother but was unsure how to direct it. She asked Kean to enclose a few lines under a proper and safe direction.

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 talked mainly about the recent death of his wife and Susan's sister, Elizabeth "Eliza" Otto, and politely declined Susan's offer to mother his daughter. He explained how in her last letter Elizabeth suggested that Susan's niece, Eliza Bayard, would be best suited to raise the child since they both had similar obligations to one another. He ended the letter by quoting some of her beautiful final words. The letter is dated December of 1788 without an exact day of the month noted.

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.