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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
Inventory Location
Bay 1, Column 1, LHC Series 2
Recommended Citation
Kean, John. John Kean to Susan Livingston, c. 1786 (10). Manuscript. From Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University, Liberty Hall Collection 1780s. https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1780s/380
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 the Special Collections Research Library and Archive at keanscrla@kean.edu.
Publishing Repository
Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University
Collection
Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)