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Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

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William Buckle to Susan Kean, June 6, 1787

William Buckle
06-06-1787

Receipt from William Buckle to Susan Kean for various kitchen implements totaling 10.6 pounds. Susan's last name is misspelled Cain.
John Kean with Alexander Chisolm to Thomas Ogier, May 16, 1787

Alexander Chisolm and John Kean
05-16-1787

Statement of the bond between John Kean and Alexander Chisholm [sic] to Thomas Ogier. Listed money paid and received on a bond.
James Chrystics to Susan Kean, June 25, 1787

James Chrystics
06-25-1787

Receipt from James Chrystics to Susan Kean for kitchenware totaling 2.8 pounds. Susan's last names was misspelled Keen.
John B. Dask to Susan Kean, January 20, 1787

John B. Dask
01-20-1787

Receipt from John B. Dask to Susan Kean which said she paid in full.
Peter Goclot to Susan Kean, May 29, 1787

Peter Goclot
05-29-1787

Receipt from Peter Goclot to Susan Kean for various kitchen implements totaling 4.7 pounds and addressed New York, NY.
Bill of Lumber and Notes on Enslaved People, circa 1780s

John Kean
c. 1780-1789

Recto: the top is labeled A Bill of Lumber, presumably in John Kean's handwriting. There are products and measurements, including palmetto logs, window frames, doors, joists, rafters, shingles, and more.

Verso: notes on Enslaved People, tallies of people remaining, sold, born, left, or dead. The following names and numbers are included: 1. Scipio, 2. Clarinda, 3. Flora (2 born), 4. Phillis, 5. Dinah (2 born), 6. Sam, 7. Abram, 8. Phebe, 9. Cloe (1 born), 10. Tisse, 11. Grace (4 born), 12. Ph…. (1 born), 13. Patty, 14. Cretia, 15. Will, 16. Dye.

Calculations are on the recto and verso.

This document is undated.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 19, 1787

John Kean
04-19-1787

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote about how much he missed Susan and longed to be with her in New York as well as his health. He sent her a branch from a Pride of India tree and described its beauty. All the merchants except one had closed up shop and he was unable to get Susan the items she requested.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 23, 1787

John Kean
04-23-1787

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote about his health and how he almost felt envious of James Ricketts and Lewis William Otto as they are in good health and did not have to be separated from their wives. His sister, Jane Corvaisier gave birth early due to an earthquake and the baby died soon after. She was traveling to France to recover. He sent his best to Mrs. Chancellor and prayed for her health and was glad to hear Peter Van Brugh Livingston was doing better. He hoped that should a vacancy occur in the Treasury he would be appointed and asked Susan to consider the possibility of moving to Philadelphia.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 29, 1787

John Kean
04-29-1787

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that he had spent some time at his orchard in St. Helena Island, but that it was in a sorry state. A drought has severely affected his lands, in particular the indigo. He decided to lease his Hilton Head property as the expenses from the plantation interfered with him paying off his debt. South Carolina and Georgia settled their border dispute finally. He enclosed with this letter ones to Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Lewis William Otto, and Mrs. Livingston at Queen Street. He was sending this through Major Habersham and Mr. Shermerhorn.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 3, 1787

John Kean
04-03-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. Tinker had left with bills of exchange to deliver to Susan, but John was enclosing duplicates in case those were lost. He had been held up in Charleston by the bad weather. He had been staying in his room by the fire for his health. He wrote at length about how the weather affects his health and his cough. He said usually he would go to Long Island and was glad to not be in the New York cold.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 8, 1787

John Kean
04-08-1787

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had arrived and Beaufort and wrote about the state of his plantation there. A large portion of the indigo crop had been destroyed by crickets. John complained that he could make twice what he did if he were a better planter and his enslaved people better managed. He wrote about the possibility of renting the Beaufort plantation and selling all his land in Georgia to pay off his debts. He wrote about his health and how he had been drinking Celson Water. He was currently staying with Mr. Stewart, who had married Miss. Middleton.
John Kean to Susan Kean, circa 1780s

John Kean
circa 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. This letter is incomplete. Kean informed Susan that Mrs. Hamilton enquired after her and said her husband (Alexander Hamilton) was out of town. As the legislature determined to make good on losses on remittances, Kean asked Susan to transmit the account sales of his Indigo. Discussed the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia on the first of May. Kean also discussed the prices of produce at the market including green peas and asparagus, and how warm the weather was.

People mentioned: Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Mrs, Van Horne, and Mrs. Read.
John Kean to Susan Kean, December 22, 1787

John Kean
12-22-1787

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote he had been detained at Hilton Head by the bad weather, but returned now. His health was about the same as when he left Susan, which was ok for winter. The trees Susan had sent him were lost at sea. He wrote he was worried about Susan's sister Eliza, who had recently given birth and inquired about her and the baby. He noted that many of his friend's wives in South Carolina were also pregnant. He wrote an Americanized version of an old Scotch ballad for Susan to sing to their unborn baby, which he hoped would be a boy.
John Kean to Susan Kean, December 9, 1787

John Kean
12-09-1787

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He spent the last 10 days at Hilton Head and St. Helena inspecting his plantation. He made reference to Enslaved People, a fire that had damaged part of the main plantation, and how much his crops brought in. Susan is pregnant and he was excited to hear she and the baby are healthy.

John comments on not counting money accurately on "Violet's good behavior and Sally's kind conduct. Ceasar was cured - he could not return to tell you" [end of page]. The letter appears incomplete.

People Included: Wilcox, Schermerhorn, Violet, Sally Ceasar
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 14, 1787

John Kean
03-14-1787

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included, and informed her he arrived safely at his destination. He wrote that he was sick at first while at sea, but was now feeling much better. He updated her on the South Carolina elections and said he was reelected, Bull and Pickney would no continue as delegates, T. Pickney was elected Governor and T. Godsden Lieutenant Governor. Parker was elected from November for 1 year. He also said to congratulate Susan's sister Elizabeth and Lewis William Otto on their marriage.
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 18, 1787

John Kean
03-18-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He gave a more detailed account of his sickness while traveling to South Carolina. The number of delegates had been reduced to three with him, Hugen and Major Butter serving until November, and Huger, Parker, and an undecided third serving after November for 1 year. He thought Robert Barnwell would be elected for the November term.

People Included: Doctor Ramsay, Mrs. Ramsay, Mrs. Read, and Miss Van Horne
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 23, 1787

John Kean
03-23-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had been sick, but his landlady, Mrs. Broddie, was nursing him back to health. He was sharing a room with another man named John who was also sick. He asked Susan to ask Lawrence and Morris to send him money that was paid to his account. It appears the first part of the letter is missing.
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 26, 1787

John Kean
03-26-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. A section on the third page of the letter is missing. He inquired about Susan's health and wrote of how much he missed her. Mr. Turner was hosting a ball for the end of the winter season and John wrote of how extravagantly people dressed for it. He also spoke of a dinner her had with Mr. Tucker.
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 27, 1787

John Kean
03-27-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had dinner with Mrs. I Rutledge, Mrs. R. Izard, Mrs. General Moultrie, Mrs. F. Kinloch and remarked how unfamiliar he is with his friends and home after such a long absence. He sent along with the letter a box of tree and flower roots and seeds for Sarah Ricketts.He told Susan to prepare to leave New York in late October

People Included: Catherine Keteltas Livingston, Mrs. Hamilton, Robert Barnwell, Silk, Tinker, Pickney, Samuel Franklin,
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 28, 1787

John Kean
03-28-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that he missed her and he had seen Tinker and Crossfield. He thought about sending Crossfield to deliver his letter so he could personally assure Susan of John's health. He spoke to Mr. Silk and agreed to loan him money to pay for his wife and family's passage and asked Susan to help arrange it. He expected to be in Beaufort on Friday.
John Kean to Susan Kean, March 28, 1787

John Kean
03-28-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston, SC to his wife Susan Kean, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, NY. He explained governmental matters which involved his payment and a convention which was "thrown out in the senate." Additionally, he attached two bills with the letter for Susan to purchase furniture.
John Kean to Susan Kean, May 1, 1787

John Kean
1787-05-01

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Kean described the arrival of Spring and quoted Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Man: Epistle I. The drought that long afflicted South Carolina was easing but threatened fatal consequences to his crops. Kean visited his plantation fifteen miles from his then-current location (possibly Beaufort, South Carolina) where he planted rice. He had an orchard planted in 1785 before he left South Carolina that consisted of peach, pear, fig, lemon, orange, pomegranate, and quince trees. Kean planted 140 acres of rice and 120 acres of corn and potatoes. He still needed to plant about 30 acres of indigo and rice. The people who engaged with him to lease his Hilton Head estate would not comply with Kean’s terms and the bargaining ended. This disappointed him as he wanted to use the funds to pay his sister’s annuity. Asked Susan to borrow one thousand pounds in her State and if her Uncle Rutherford had any money to lend him. If her father could let her have five hundred pounds, Kean could then secure Susan the best tract of land in Georgia. This document is incomplete.

People mentioned: Peter Van Brugh Livingston, John Rutherford, and Jane (Grove) Corvaisier.
John Kean to Susan Kean, May 16, 1787

John Kean
05-16-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He would be returning home soon, but as Wilcox was sailing for New York he decided to send a letter. He did not recieve Susan's last letters as Tinker returned after John had left Beaufort. He dined with Dr. and Mrs. Ramsay who hoped Susan would visit them.
John Kean to Susan Kean, November 20, 1787

John Kean
11-20-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He arrived at Charleston and was sick for several days. He mentioned that many of the planters have had bad crops this year. He learned that his barn with his entire rice crop and provisions for the winter burned down and planned to travel to Beaufort to see the damage himself. In order to make up the loss he said he needed to sell his land in Georgia. John then gave news of friends, John Bull was sick, Mrs. Ramsay gave birth to a baby girl, General Pinckney arrived three weeks ago and there was no news of Houstoun. He asked Susan for any news of her sister Eliza Otto.
John Kean to Susan Kean, November 25, 1787

John Kean
11-25-1787

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. To try and recoup money from the fire he had sold his horses and planned on traveling to Beaufort tomorrow. Jones and Strong arrived from Philadelphia, he had not seen Mrs. Butler yet to give her Nancy's gift, and Mrs. Roberts had no yet received the lace. If the new government is put into place John hoped to be elected as a representative. Susan was unable to travel with him to South Carolina as she was pregnant.