Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

John Kean to Susan Livingston, c. 1786 (9)

John Kean
c. 1786

John Kean wrote to Susan Livingston, unaddressed. He thanked her for a pair of shoes she gifted him and asked for more information about the shoemaker as they were to impress his friend down in South Carolina. This item is not dated.
John Kean to Susan Livingston, July 30, 1786

John Kean
07-30-1786

John Kean wrote from Claremont to Susan Livingston, address not included. He was still at Claremont due to his gout and his friend Hindman's wishes and did not think he would move further North. He was upset that he would not get to see the Cohes. Hindman was supposed to go to Lebanon on August 15 but had to return to New York. John had been spending time with the Livingston family and mentioned reading Mr. Blair's sermon on Candour to them. He said that the "good old lady", presumably Margaret Beekman Livingston was taking good care of him. He had dined with Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, but Mrs. Livingston's health had not been well.
John Kean to Susan Livingston, June 22, 1786

John Kean
06-22-1786

John Kean wrote from Bethlehem wrote to Susan Livingston, address not included. He wrote that he just arrived in Bethlehem from Easton encountered a party from New York that consisted of Mr. Van Berkel, Mr. Gouverneur, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. Johnson. He intended to travel to Nazareth on Friday and then Monday to see Susan. He mentioned that he hoped that Tinker had arrived and brought more people to help Pinckney.
John Kean to Susan Livingston, March 27, 1786

John Kean
03-27-1786

John wrote to Susan, addressed at Hanover Square, informing her "Long enough has been the reign of pride and folly." Susan is avoiding John Kean. He told her on Friday he would meet her early on Saturday evening but when he arrived, she was not home. If he formed a wrong opinion, his punishment was sufficient. John wants Susan to seriously deliberate their relationship and if she wants to end it, it would be very painful for him but he would submit.
John Kean to Susan Livingston, September 27, 1786

John Kean
09-27-1786

John Kean wrote to Susan Livingston, address not included. He wrote the letter on the morning of their wedding and said that it was the happiest day of his life and he had had the ring altered and hoped she would like it.
Excerpt from Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, April 25, 1786

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
04-25-1786

An excerpt from a letter written by Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, April 25, 1786. The excerpt said that Peter would not obstruct John from asking for his daughter, Susan Livingston's hand in marriage. However, he would not be able to give her much on her wedding day due to the impact of the Revolutionary War on his finances. He did intend, however, to split his property equally among his children at his death. The full letter can be found as " Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, April 25, 1786." It is unclear who wrote out this excerpt, but it was presumably John Kean.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, April 25, 1786

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
04-25-1786

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York. He wrote that he had no objection to John asking his daughter, Susan Livingston, to marry him. He said that it was Susan's choice as she was a mature adult capable of making her own decisions. He also wrote that because of the Revolutionary War he would not be able to give her much upon her marriage, but that he did intend to distribute his property evenly among this children at his death.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston with Robert Eoff, January 27, 1786

Peter Van Brugh Livingston I
01-27-1786

Indenture between Peter Van Brugh Livingston and Robert Eoff. Peter leased Robert 179.5 acres of land in the County of Somerset, NJ for six years. The indenture was witnessed by James Ricketts, Peter's son-in-law, and John McDonald.
Peter Lyons to Alexander Donald, May 6, 1786

Peter Lyons
05-06-1786

Peter Lyons wrote from Richmond, VA to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond, VA. Alexander had apparently asked something about Peter's son in a previously letter, which Peter said his son denied and that Alexander should have inquired further before forming an opinion. He wrote about Burton and enclosed an order that needed to be filled.
Governor William Moultrie to South Carolina Delegates in Congress

William Moultrie
05-04-1786

Governor William Moultrie wrote from Charleston to the South Carolina Delegates in Congress, addressed to New York. He wrote them regarding selecting judges for a dispute between South Carolina and Georgia. William Drayton and Major T. Pinckney had been selected already to represent South Carolina. He also wrote about paying the debt.
William Moultrie to John Kean, March 29, 1786

William Moultrie
03-29-1786

William Moultrie wrote to the South Carolina Delegate, addressed to New York. This was presumably received by John Kean. It describes an act of the South Carolina legislature incorporating local citizens who entered into a subscription for opening an inland navigation between Sentee and Cooper Rivers. The company has chosen 21 Directors and Moultrie is President. He requests that Colonel Tenff. [sic] returns to South Carolina as soon as he retuns from Europe. Enclosed was an advertisement for enslaved people (not present) that he asks that delegates to make public.
William Moultrie to John Kean, March 29, 1786

William Moultrie
03-29-1786

William Moultrie wrote to the South Carolina Delegate, addressed to New York. This is presumably to John Kean. He wrote about acts and ordinances passed on March 22 and will forward information about them to the South Carolina Delegates soon. Topics included: Georgians settle a dispute, the Legislature passed General Pickney, General Pickens, and Major Butler to be commissioned to meet with anyone from Georgia. The boundary between South Carolina and North Carolina is settled. The Governor is authorized to appoint agents to transact the business at Federal Court. They discussed securing the credit of Bills and Exchange, an ordinance respecting silver and copper coin, an act to confer certain rights and privileges to aliens, and an act to appoint commissioners to purchase lands for the purpose of building a town, and for removing the seat of government. Envelope included.
Joseph Norse to John Kean, January 1786

Joseph Nourse
Tuesday, January 1786 [could be 3, 10, 17, 24, or 31]

Joseph Nourse wrote to John Kean, no addresses included, regarding an order communicated to the Commissioners of the Board of Treasury.
Charles Pinckney to John Kean, September 18, 1786

Charles Pinckney
09-18-1786

Charles Pinckney wrote from New York to John Kean, address not included. He wrote asking John to draw up a private agreement to be signed by the respective agents in their former agreement.
Charles Pinckney to John Kean, circa September 1786

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
circa September 1786

Charles Pinckney wrote to John Kean, unaddressed. Pinckney enclosed a report that he signed if he were not well enough to attend. If the Georgia agents agreed, an offer should be made the following day. If they did not agree, Pinckney had no other mode other than to proceed according to the Confederation. This document is undated.
Maria "Mary" Rutherford to Susan Livingston, May 11, 178x

Maria Rutherford
c. 1785 or 1786

Maria "Mary" Rutherford wrote to Susan Livingston. Mary asks Susan to purchase a yard and a quarter of "Dimothy" similar to the pattern she enclosed. There was an unsettled account between Susan's brother and Mary's father. Topics of discussion include family news, accounts, clothing, sewing, and patterns.
A Motion of Mr. Dane

United States. Continental Congress.
02-27-1786

Imprint. That a Committee of Five be appointed to examine how far the several States have complied with, and adopted the Alteration of the Eight Article of the Confederation and perpetual Union, recommended by Congress, April 18, 1783, and to consider and report, what further Measures are proper to be adopted by Congress, for carrying into Effect a Federal Rule for apportioning Federal Taxes on the several States. The Committee consisting of Mr. Dane, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Kean, to whom was referred the Motion of Mr. Dane, of February 27, 1786. Followed by the report. The imprint was folded and the corners were chewed off. There are doodles on the verso.
P. Van Berckle to Susan Livingston, December 6, 1786

P. Van Berckle
12-06-1786

P. Van Berckle wrote from Philadelphia to Miss Livingston, most likely Susan Livingston, address not included. He wrote that his son was going to New York and he wanted him to make Susan's acquaintance. He also asked about her father Peter Van Brugh Livingston, step-mother, Elizabeth Livingston, and sister Eliza Livingston. Susan at this point was married to John Kean, but it is possibly that Van Berckle did not know that.
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, February 21, 1785

Robert Barnwell
02-21-1785

Robert Barnwell wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. Robert wanted John's opinion on a deed. Robert congratulated John on his "delegation to Congress."
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, February 3, 1785

Robert Barnwell
02-03-1785

Robert Barnwell wrote from Beaufort to John Kean addressed to Charleston, SC. He wrote regarding elections and their associates, Mr. Laurens, Moas Wigg, and B. Elliott.
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, March 7, 1785

Robert Barnwell
03-07-1785

Robert Barnwell wrote from Beaufort to John Kean, addressed to Charleston. Robert wrote regarding a recent resolution passed by the South Carolina State Legislature regarding delegates to be sent to Congress and other political matters. Parts of the letter are faded and difficult to read.

People Included: Leacraft, Lasden, and Siene.
John Baylor to Alexander Donald, October 30, 1785

John Baylor
10-30-1785

John Baylor wrote from New Market to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond, VA. He wrote about goods he had shipped and mentioned doing something for Alexander and Mr. Burton in Fredericksburg.
Robert Beverly to Alexander Donald, October 17, 1785

Robert Beverly
10-17-1785

Robert Beverly wrote from Blandford, VA to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond. He wrote about Mr. Barton was tutoring his children and that he hoped their friend in Glasgow benefited from his lessons as well. He also wrote about the commerce of Mr. Gist in July and a sheriff from Rockingham County might procure some horses for over 100 pounds as asked Donald to discuss it with him.
General Butler to John Kean, June 1, 1785

unknown Butler
06-01-1785

General Butler wrote from New York to John Kean, address not included. Attached with the letter is a series of questions and answers primarily regarding treaties with Native American groups.
War Office Clothing Estimate Signed by Joseph Carleton, June 10, 1785

Joseph Carleton and War Office
06-10-1785

An estimate for clothing to be used by the War Office signed by Joseph Carleton.