Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

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Eliza Livingston to John Kean, August 29, 1785

Elizabeth Livingston
08-29-1785

Eliza wrote to her future brother-in-law, John Kean, addressed to No. 9 White Hall [Street], NY, at the request of her sister, Susan. Eliza alludes to something very upsetting to her.
Eliza Livingston to John Kean, August 5, 1785

Elizabeth Livingston
08-05-1785

Eliza wrote to her future brother-in-law, John Kean, addressed to No. 9 White Hall [Street], NY, at the request of her sister, Susan. Eliza wrote of Dr. Johnston that her "corporal pain is once again banished."
Eliza Livingston to Susan Livingston

Elizabeth Livingston
09-04-1785

Eliza wrote to her sister, Susan, addressed to 3 Hanover Square, New York about her visit with her Aunt and cousins Kitty and Peter Van Schaack. Names included: Pool, Mr. Sylvester, Mary Bayard, Eliza, and Mr. Morton. Eliza commented on pain in her head and rheumatic joint pain in her fingers. She says her aunt and cousin are also unwell. She blames the 22-mile distance from the stage for the difficulty of sending and receiving letters and is disappointed there's no mention of Otto. Eliza will head to the Landing, visit Hudson, then return to the Manor.
Eliza Livingston to Susan Livingston, August 29, 1785

Elizabeth Livingston
1785-08-29

Eliza wrote to her sister, Susan, addressed to 3 Hanover Square, New York about her visit with her Aunt, who is ill. Eliza is also ill, with headaches and a poor complexion. She notes how long it takes to get a doctor to the house, and that a person could be dead and buried before the doctor arrives. Names included: Uncle Robert, cousin Harry, young Robert, Dr. Stringer, [John] Kean, Mrs. Bourdieu, Dr. Johnston, Nancy (with some alluded drama), Mrs. Bull, Nancy Kemble and Polly Ludlow of Wall St., Patty Ludlow, Mrs. Dan, Walton and Banche, F- (who she is fond of), Peggy Marshall, Mary Baynard, Mayo, Jay, Charlotte, Mrs. Jay. There are 3 weddings expected.
Eliza Livingston to Susan Livingston, August 5, 1785

Elizabeth Livingston
08-05-1785

Eliza wrote to her sister, Susan, addressed to 3 Hanover Square, New York about her travels. Names included: De Lancey Walton, Edward, Miss Walton, Miss Backs, Peggy, [John] Kean, Morton, Jenny, Mrs. Van Schanck, Mrs. Bell, Dr. Johnston, and Dr. Treats. Eliza commented a lot on food.
Eliza Livingston to Susan Livingston, July 28, 1785

Elizabeth Livingston
07-28-1785

Eliza Livingston wrote from Lebanon Post to Susan Livingston, her sister, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, New York. She wrote about the trip she and he aunt had taken so far. She included an account of a family they stayed with during a storm, and rooms they rented from Mr. Jones and Mr. Cheney. She would have addressed the letter to her father, but figured he still was not home.
Peter Lyons to Unknown Person, December 10, 1785

Peter Lyons
12-10-1785

Peter Lyons wrote from Hanover to an unknown person, address not included. He wrote about selling tobacco both in the states and in London and mentioned he was pleased with the sales of Mr. Gist, Mrs. Burton, and Captain Maconas. Mr. Burton was stationed in London, ad presumably, helped sell tobacco there. The possible recipient of the letter was Alexander Donald who was associated with the tobacco business and many of the people mentioned in the letter.
Governor William Moultrie to South Carolina Congress Delegates, July 30, 1785

William Moultrie
07-30-1785

Governor William Moultrie wrote from Charleston to the South Carolina Congress Delegates, addressed to New York. He had recieved their letter and said the first part would be answered by George Abbot Hall who was on his way to New York via Philadelphia. He wrote about treaties with Native American tribes, in particular, the Cherokee and how that would affect them, Georgia, and North Carolina. He also mentioned work being done by Dr. Ramsay, George Meade and Captain Tate.
William Moultrie to South Carolina Delegates, December 19, 1785

William Moultrie
12-19-1785

William Moultrie, Governor of South Caroline, wrote from Charleston to the South Carolina Delegates, addressed to Congress.He said that South Carolina was in a state of tranquility, but wrote about Georgia's attempts to negotiate a treaty with the local Native Americans.

People Included: Mr. Bull and Doctor Ramsay
William Moultrie to South Carolina Delegates, October 19, 1785

William Moultrie
10-19-1785

Governor William Moultrie wrote from Charleston to the South Carolina Delegates in Congress, address not included. He wrote about acts of the South Carolina Legislature involving the state debt and appointment of three commissioners John Huger, Thomas Jones, and James Wakefield. It was also resolved that the Delegates to Congress should push for regulation of the value of alloy of coin.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, December 23, 1785

Joseph Nourse
12-23-1785

Joseph Nourse wrote to John Kean, addressed to Congress. The letter stated that Joseph sent John the accounts for the State of South Carolina.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, July 7, 1785

Joseph Nourse
07-07-1785

Joseph Nourse wrote from the Register's Office to John Kean, address not included. He wrote about the debt of the States, specifically, Pennsylvania.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, June 9, 1785

Joseph Nourse
06-09-1785

Joseph wrote to John, addressed to the Honorable John Kean, in Congress, no address. He responded to a letter from Kean, concerning the Salary of the Charge des Affairs at the Court of Madrid, it was left blank, but is now settled. The United States never fixed any salary for the Agent of Marine as the late Superintendent of Finance agreed to act in Cash Office. Mr. James Read acted as Secretary and Paymaster. He left the part of the civil establishment without offering any salary under the idea that no offices would immediately be appointed. Lists the salaries of multiple individuals.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, October 4, 1785

Joseph Nourse
10-04-1785

Joseph Nourse wrote from the Register's Office to John Kean, address not included, regarding the debt of the state of South Carolina.
Bonds and Notes of Peter Lavien & Co., January 1, 1785

Peter Lavien & Co.
01-01-1785

List of bonds and notes due to Peter Lavien & Co. with interest calculated up to January 1, 1785. On the back, it is labeled as "List of Georgia debts and Mr. Stephens receipts".
John Pierce to John Kean, August 8, 1785

John Pierce
08-08-1785

John Pierce wrote from New York to John Kean, address not included. Pierce wrote regarding a financial situation involving the Office of the Army and the Office of Finance.
David Ramsay to John Kean, September 13, 1785

David Ramsay
09-13-1785

David Ramsay wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Congress. He requested that John transfer money to different people including Col. Bayard, Mr. Collins, and Miss Rally Ellis at Col. White's in Elizabethtown. Included at the end is a receipt between David Ramsay and Col. White via John Kean that is signed by Stephen Tinker.

People Included: Josiah Smith, Dr. Ragers, and Isaac Collins.
Declaration of Margaret Rutledge's Ownership of Cromwell, Mingo, Beck, Vigo, and Billey, August 20, 1785

Margaret Rutledge
08-20-1785

Margaret Rutledge, the widow of Thomas Rutledge (c1741-1783), declared ownership of the following enslaved people: 2 young male negro slaves named Cromwell and Mingo, a female named Beck and her 2 male children Vigo and Billey," despite that they were "taken and carried away" by the British. It was signed by Andrew Aggnew and Margaret Rutledge.
Margaret Rutlege to John Kean, August 21, 1785

Margaret Rutledge
08-21-1785

Margaret Rutledge wrote to John Kean, addressed to NY, thanking him for recovering an enslaved "negro boy." His name is not included. She gave John Kean power of attorney, a document dated August 20, 1785, to act on her behalf.
Margaret Rutlege with South Carolina, August 20, 1785

Margaret Rutledge
08-20-1785

Margaret Rutledge appoints John Kean as her attorney, for the return of enslaved people detained from her by Mr. Ramage in New York. Signed by Margaret Rutledge, Arch [Archibald] Campbell, and Andrew Aggnew.
Report of the Committee Appointed to Consider the Resolutions of Congress, February 11, 1785

John Sandford Darh and Felix Warley
02-11-1785

Report of the committee appointed to consider the resolutions of Congress. The report stated that the committee resolved to send three delegates to Congress who would serve until the first Monday in November. John Sandford Darh signed it on behalf of the House of Representatives and Felix Warley signed it on behalf of the Senate.
Sir Peyton Skipwith to Alexander Donald, October 22, 1785

Peyton Skipwith
10-22-1785

Sir Peyton Skipwith wrote from Richmond, VA to Alexander Donald, address not included. The letter is regarding the shipping of some tobacco to City point. He wrote that his manager at Hog Island had found the old tobacco unfavorable and therefore he will be shipping less than originally planned.
William Stephens to John Kean, October 18, 1785

William Stephens
10-18-1785

William Stephens wrote from Savannah to John Kean, addressed to New York. He wrote that Mr. Macqueen had changed his route for Europe and so William was sending items meant for John to Charleston. He mentioned in the postscript that Dr. Vickars of New Jersey had shot himself at the home of Mrs. Gibbons.
William Stephens to John Kean, October 2, 1785

William Stephens
10-02-1785

William Stephens wrote from Savannah, GA to John Kean, address not included. He was sending some newspapers in a packet for him to New York via Mr. Wilcox. He wrote that he was having a hard time collecting money that was owed John and wrote about bonds. He had put some of John's land for sale, but had no offers. Mr. Werecat was in Augusta regarding a property dispute between him and John Kean. Mr. Macqueck was traveling to Europe to procure a loan on land and enslaved people, but William doubted he would be successful. He also wrote about religion and political news.

People Included: Captain Pray, Mr. Campbell, W. Elliott, and Governor Booke.

Places Included: Charleston, SC and Philadelphia, PA.
Thomas T. Tucker to John Kean, September 7, 1785

Thomas T. Tucker
09-07-1785

Thomas T. Tucker wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to New York. He sent via Dr. Ramsay an order to the Treasurer of the United States for $478 1/3 to be paid to John. He said Dr. Ramsay would tell him more about it and he asked that John remit the money to him as soon as possible upon receipt.