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Description

John Kean wrote to Susan Livingston, unaddressed. John explained how in the ancient world individuals made offerings of their hair to various deities in order to bring good fortune. He then briefly told Susan a story from Homer's Iliad where Achilles cut a piece of his hair off after the death of his friend Patroclus and placed it on his grave. Next, he made another reference to ancient Greek Mythology by mentioning how Orestes offered locks of his hair to the gods in order to destroy his foe Aegisthus, who had murdered his father. Finally, the letter ended with John offering a lock of his hair to Susan to wish good fortune upon her. This item is not dated.

Author/Creator

John Kean (1756-1795)

Recipient

Susan Livingston, later Susan Kean and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz (1759-1833)

Creation Date

c. 1786

Creation Date

1-1-1786

Document Type

Manuscript

Collection

Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)

Inventory Location

Bay 1, Column 1, LHC Series 2

Rights

This collection is open to the public for research use. Copyright remains with Kean University. Credit this material. Personal photographs may be made for research purposes. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to Lynette Zimmerman, Executive Director at the Liberty Hall Academic Center & Exhibition Hall at lzimmerm@kean.edu.

Publishing Repository

Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University

John Kean to Susan Livingston, c. 1786 (10)

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