Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

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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.
John Kean to Susan Kean, November 28, 1787

John Kean
11-28-1787

John Kean wrote from Beaufort, SC to his wife Susan Kean. He explained to her his trip from Charleston to Beaufort, but before embarking on the journey he was able to visit their nieces which gave him immense comfort. The trip was plagued by cold and damp weather but fortunately it did not provoke any health complications as John wrote that there was "no bleeding or spitting of blood". He also planned to visit some of his properties in the area which included their unfinished house. He was sure that the carpenters were done with their work but needed to check the progression of the painters. Additionally, he also mentioned taking care of his one-hundred enslaved people by providing them with food and clothing. People included: E.B. Houstoun, Robert Barnwell, Samuel Wilcox. Places included: Charleston, Beaufort.
Alexander McQueen to John Kean, December 27, 1787

Alexander McQueen
12-27-1787

Alexander McQueen wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, regarding a note made payable to Mr. Bryan.
Jacob Morris to John Rutherfurd, June 21, 1787

Jacob Morris
06-21-1787

Jacob Morris wrote from Butternut Creek to John Rutherfurd, addressed to Broadway, NY. He described his journey to his land in New York that had been given to him to compensate for property loss during the Revolutionary War. He traveled from Albany and Schenectady up the Mohawk and Susquehanna Rivers. He described being the first settlers to travel up Butternut Creek, where he was to build his house, and his decision to build a frame house instead of a log cabin.

People Included: Lewis Morris, Richard Morris, and Monsieur DeVillers.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, February 24, 1787

Joseph Nourse
02-24-1787

Joseph Nourse wrote from the Register's Office to John Kean, address not included. He stated the sum to the credit of South Carolina that appeared in the General Amount of Receipts of Expenditures, 31 December 1786.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, November 1, 1787

Joseph Nourse
11-01-1787

Joseph Nourse wrote from the Register's Office to John Kean, addressed to Congress. The letter contains an account from Joseph Bedford and William Hardy Commissioners for Destroying the Continental Money.
Eliza Otto to Susan Livingston, June 6, 1787

Eliza Otto
06-06-1787

Eliza Otto wrote while sailing on the Tappan Sea (present day Tappan Zee) to her sister Susan Livingston, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, NY. The conditions faced aboard the ship were rather pleasant, however Eliza experienced discomfort and sleeplessness due to feelings of pain and sickness. Additionally, she elaborated on what her days consisted of after reaching her destination of Kinderhook, NY, and later sent out the letter from this location.
Lewis William Otto to John Kean, March 18, 1787

Lewis William Otto
03-18-1787

Lewis William Otto wrote from New York to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He shared his excitement over his recent marriage to Elizabeth Livingston, John's sister-in-law and said that his wife, Susan Kean, and Sarah Ricketts were all very excited to see John soon. He also briefly discussed politics and John's reelection as a delegate from South Carolina.
Governor Thomas Pinckney to South Carolina Delegates in Congress, July 23, 1787

Thomas Pinckney
07-23-1787

Governor Thomas Pinckney wrote from Charleston to the South Carolina Delegates in Congress, address not included. He wrote about political matters in particular counterfeiting of South Carolina currency.

People Included: Mr. Adams, Mr. Moubay, Reverend Owen, and Major Butler.
Theodorick Bland Randolph and Jack Randolph to their Mother and St. George Tucker, August 1, 1786

Theodorick Bland Randolph and Jack Randolph
08-01-1787

Theodorick Bland Randolph wrote from Princeton to his Mother and Jack Randolph wrote from Princeton, NJ to St. George Tucker, his father, addressed to Matoax, near Petersburg, VA. The two brothers were at school and had not heard from their parents besides a letter regarding the death of their grandfather. Their brother, Richard Randolph, was also visiting. They were the top of their class with another student named Caldwell and asked for their books to be sent.

People Included: Cousin Fanny, Miss Maria, Uncle and Aunt Bland, Mr. Turnbull, Hal Tudor, Beverly, Battersea Family, and the Lawson Family.

Places Included: New York, NY, Bermuda
John J. Roosevelt to Susan Kean, May 17, 1787

John J. Roosevelt
05-17-1787

Receipt from John J. Roosevelt to Susan Kean for tea, cups and saucers, a cake plate, and bowls totaling 2.12 pounds. Susan's last name is misspelled as Cane.
History: A Motion of Mr. Dane, February 27, 1786

02-27-1786

The following document is a motion that states a Committee of Five be appointed to examine how far the several states have complied and adopted the Articles of Confederation and to consider and report on further measures to be adopted by Congress. The committee consisted of Mr. Dane, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Kean.

Names mentioned: Nathan Dane (1752-1835), William Grayson (1742 – 1790), Stephen Mix Mitchell (1743–1835), James Monroe (1758 - 1831), and John Kean (1756 - 1795).
John Kean Envelope, August 2, 1786

08-02-1786

Envelope addressed to John Kean, address not included. On the envelope is written "Papers relative to the States charge against the US for 72,212 dols. being credited against the reg. of the 2nd August 86 instead of the specific reg."
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, circa June 1786

Robert Barnwell
circa June 1786

Robert Barnwell wrote from Beaufort, South Carolina to John Kean, unaddressed. Barnwell informed Kean his last year's crops must have been below his mode rate calculations and the season had been unfavorable. Instructed Kean to return to South Carolina because his interest demanded it. Worried that his negligence in responding to Kean’s letters had induced his silence. Miss Middleton married Thomas Fuller and Miss Ann Devraux married De Brown. Barnwell’s brother Nathaniel directed him to inform Kean that he advertised Kean’s lands on the Neck according to his direction but had no applications. Asked Kean to place a value on other lands.
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, November 24, 1786

Robert Barnwell
11-24-1786

Robert Barnwell wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York. He wrote that in order to sell John Kean's land he would need a Power of Attorney.
Board of Treasury to South Carolina Delegates, November 3, 1786

Board of Treasury
11-03-1786

Board of Treasury wrote to the South Carolina Delegates, address not included. They wrote they were enclosing the Schedule of Requisitionsof the United States in Congress. The letter is signed by Walter Livingston and Samuel Osgood. The schedule is no longer with the orginal letter.
Board of Treasury to Congress Requisition Committee, July 17, 1786

Board of Treasury, Arthur Lee, Walter Livingston, and Samuel Osgood
07-17-1786

Board of Treasury wrote to the Committee of Congress on the Requisition, address not included. The letter contained a list of documents related to supplies furnished by South Carolina in 1782 and 1783. They mentioned that in the letter to Congress they only included the final sums.
Jonathan Burrall to John Kean, March 6, 1786

Jonathan Burrall
03-06-1786

Johnathan Burrall wrote to John Kean, address not included. He wrote that according to the system established by Robert Morris for settling accounts the Commissioners were to move from one state to the other, however, Congress ordered them to New York. He thought the office would be in South Carolina come the fall, but was unsure as a new system for settling accounts was being established.
Stephen Drayton to South Carolina Delegates in Congress, April 18, 1786

Stephen Drayton
04-18-1786

Stephen Drayton wrote from Charleston to the South Carolina Delegates in Congress, address not included. He wrote that he enclosed on behalf of the Governor a Commission appointing them Agents for South Carolina for prosecuting a matter related to a federal bond and appointing judges.
Ordinance from the Senate and House of Representative of South Carolina, March 22, 1786

John Faucheraud Grimke and John Lloyd
03-22-1786

An ordinance from the Senate and House of Representative of South Carolina to appoint commissioners to ascertain the boarders of South Carolina with North Carolina and Georgia. It was signed by John Lloyd, Senate President and John F. Grimke, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Stephen Drayton, the secretary, signed it verifying it was a true copy.
Daniel Huger to John Kean, November 10, 1786

Daniel Huger
11-10-1786

Daniel Huger wrote to John Kean, address not included. He wrote that he did not recalled the particulars of the contract John referenced, but would look into it.
John Kean to Charles Pinckney, circa September 1786

John Kean
circa September 1786

John Kean wrote from New York to Charles Pinckney, unaddressed. Kean sent private agreements for him to sign. Did not flatter himself that Georgians would comply, they wanted a delay. The postscript is from Charles Pinckney. Pinckney wished the appointment of the day had been left to a majority in Congress.
John Kean to Susan Kean, c. 1786

John Kean
c. 1786

John Kean wrote from an unknown location to Susan Kean in Hanover Square, NY. He had been sailing for multiple days and informed her of the rather fortunate weather while on the water and how a young man from Georgia and another from South Carolina were also accompanying him on board. Additionally he mentioned that Andrew forgot to pack his pistols. This item is not dated.