Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

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William Wilkie to John Kean, September 18, 1789

William Wilkie
09-18-1789

William Wilkie wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. Since his last letter sent via Dr. Campbell, he heard back from Captain Tucker who declined to take the Keans to New York. He asked Captain Keen, but would not have an answer until Monday. He suspected he would decline as he was involved with trade between charleston and Georgetown. He received the order addressed to Mr. Chisolm, however, the man who it was from's rice had not sold and the order could not be paid until it was. He would write again by Mr. Elliott after he heard from Keen.
William Wilkie to John Kean, September 21, 1789

William Wilkie
09-21-1789

William Wilkie wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. Captain Keen had gotten back to him and if John agreed to his terms would transport the Kean Family and their furniture to New York. He was to be paid in good rice and would arrive October 1 or 2. He requested that the pilot at Beaufort look out for him as he had never been there and that the family be ready to depart when he arrived.
William Wilkie to John Kean, September 22, 1789

William Wilkie
09-22-1789

William Wilkie wrote from Charleston to John Kean addressed to Beaufort, SC. He had written to John by Dr. Campbell and received his letter from Captain Saltus, but Saltus left before he finished his reply so he sent it by Mr. D. Adams of St. Helena instead. He was working on selling the rice and had received 2o pounds for him from Mr. Elliott. He had not yet found a purchaser for Sancho, an enslaved man, and planned to sell him and the horses at auction with John's approval.
William Wilkie to John Kean, September 30, 1789

William Wilkie
09-30-1789

William Wilkie wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He hoped John received his previous letters and described how they were sent. James, an enslaved man, brought over the 10 horses and mares John wanted to sell. William said he enclosed the receipts for all except two that he would try again to sell Wednesday. He also enclosed a certificate for the Bank of New York that said Abram and Wilcox had deposited $300 for John Grives. John Grives endorsed it and when presented at the bank the money should be paid immediately.

People Included: Michael Silk, General Bull, Captain Saltus, D. Adams, John Reynolds, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Deveaux,
Report of Slaves in St. Domingo, circa September 1788

circa September 1788

The following document is a newspaper clipping that reported the “State of the French Colony at St. Domingo, with respect to its population and cultivated lands” compared to the years 1785 and 1786.
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, August 27, 1788

Robert Barnwell
12-27-1788

Robert Barnwell wrote from Beaufort to John Kean, addresed to New York, NY. He wrote he was sorry to hear the damp weather was negatively affecting John's health. He had traveled to Hilton Head and checked on john's business there. Indigo was not doing well this season because of the draught and several other planters including Major Wiggs, B. Elliott, and Stoney were facing the same problem. He also mentioned that an enslaved man, who had previously been complaining of a pain in his stomach was unable to do any work and died from the affliction.
John Bull to John Kean, July 13, 1788

John Bull
07-13-1788

John Bull wrote from Philadelphia to John Kean, addressed to New York. He had just arrived in Philadelphia and was planning to travel to Trenton, NJ, and then to New York. He had previously been in Charleston and Beaufort, SC, and said the weather had damaged crops. He referenced a letter sent by Robert Barnwell.
Alexander Chisolm to John Kean, August 5, 1788

Alexander Chisolm
08-05-1788

Alexander Chisolm wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to New York, NY. He wrote about taxes and a settlement. He said that he had paid Mr. Newfull and Dr. Wilson and was in Treaty with W. Cook and Pippin.
Alexander Chisolm to John Kean, December 13, 1788

Alexander Chisolm
12-13-1788

Alexander Chisolm wrote from Charleston to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote that he would send him the wine he mentioned and the Colombian Herald. He said he was unable to find any seed oat for sale or grape seeds but said hopefully he would have them before planting.
William Constable to Unknown Person, October 12, 1788

William Constable
10-12-1788

William Constable wrote to an unknown person, address not included. He wrote about shipping and his business, specifically items being sent to Great Britain, the Port of New York, and inland. He wrote about shipping flour, mahogany, dye woods, Indian corn, Indian and rye meal, cider, apples, butter bread, indigo, tobacco, dye, cotton wool, ferns (?), fish, pig jam, stork, lumber, and ship timber.
Bartholomew Corvaisier to John Kean, April 18, 1788

Bartholomew Corvaisier
04-18-1788

Bartholomew Corvaisier wrote from Port-au-Prince to John Kean, addressed to Charleston. The letter was written in French.
Bartholomew Corvaisier to John Kean, March 28, 1788

Bartholomew Corvaisier
03-28-1788

Bartholomew Corvaisier wrote from Port-au-Prince to John Kean, his brother-in-law, addressed to Charleston, SC. The letter was written entirely in French.
James Cuthbert to John Kean, May 7, 1788

James Cuthbert
05-07-1788

James Cuthbert wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort. He sent his account against the Estate of Peter Laveen, deceased. The account is no longer with the letter.
Beaumanoir De Laforest to Susan Kean, December 7, 1788

Beaumanoir De Laforest
12-07-1788

Beaumanoir De Laforest wrote from New York to Susan Kean, address not included. She wrote inquiring about Susan's trip and health as well as that of her infant son, Peter Kean. She said that she understood that it must be difficult for her to be in a new place where she does not know anyone and compared it to when she moved to America from her own country.

People Included: Mrs. Eveleigh, Mr. Huger, Mrs. Ricketts, Mr. Otto, Eliza Julia Otto, Miss De Crevecoeur, John Kean
Henry William DeSaussure to John Kean, November 9, 1788

Henry William DeSaussure
11-09-1788

Henry wrote to John Kean, no address. Henry will visit John and his wife Susan. Henry will "do as you have requested" and has a "conviction that the community will be benefited by your services."
B. Garden to John Kean, March 23, 1788

B. Garden
03-23-1788

B. Garden wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC regarding a bond of Mr. H Wiggs that he previously had in his possession. He had sent the bond to his attorney in the event he needed to take legal action to collect the money.
Eliza Gough to John Kean, circa 1788

Eliza Gough
circa 1788

Eliza Gough wrote to John Kean, unaddressed. Eliza informed Kean that she wanted to write a few lines to her brother but was unsure how to direct it. She asked Kean to enclose a few lines under a proper and safe direction.
John Grive to John Kean, March 10, 1788

John Grive
03-10-1788

John Grive wrote to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote about an account with Mr. Wilcox, Kean's crop, horses, and other financial matters.
James Habersham to William Stephens, July 8, 1788

James Habersham Jr.
07-08-1788

James Habersham wrote from Savannah to William Stephens, address not included. He wrote regarding a certificate of John Kean's that was left with him.
John Habersham to John Kean, December 12, 1788

John Habersham
12-12-1788

John Habersham wrote from Savannah to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He was happy to hear that John, his wife, Susan Kean, and their son, Peter Kean, were all in Beaufort. He said that he did not know of any land for hire but several lots for sale. He talked about problems in Georgia with the Spanish, on going treaty negotiations with the Native Americans, and run away slaves.

People Included: Andrew Lord, Mr. Greenwood, John Morel, Mr. Stephens, and M. Gillioray.
Benjamin Harrison for Alexander Donald to Donald and Burton, February 12, 1788

Benjamin Harrison
02-12-1788

Bill of exchange addressed to Donald and Burton, merchants in London, to pay Alexander Donald 174 pounds and signed by Benjamin Harrison.
Benjamin Harrison for Alexander Donald to Donald and Burton, May 26, 1788

Benjamin Harrison
05-26-1788

Bill of exchange addressed to Donald and Burton, merchants in London, to pay Alexander Donald 140 pounds and signed by Benjamin Harrison.
Benjamin Harrison to Alexander Donald, April 16, 1788

Benjamin Harrison
04-16-1788

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Hanover to an unknown person, most likely Alexander Donald, address not included. He wrote about his travel plans and how they changed from traveling to Richmond to Fredericksburg. He mentioned their friend J. Mink. The majority of the letter discussed something of Pantaloon's that was unsold, possibly horses as he mentioned them later in the letter. He mentioned that Mr. Page had no desire to buy it and he planned to advertise in the newspaper.
Benjamin Harrison to Alexander Donald, March 12, 1788

Benjamin Harrison
03-12-1788

Benjamin Harrison wrote from Prince George, VA to Alexander Donald, addressed to Richmond. He enclosed the bills of exchange and thanked Alexander for sending him buttons. He wrote to Mr. Carr about his father, Nathaniel Harrison's, bonds. If he did not hear from him before going to Fredericksburg he would resolve the matter. He also planned to travel to Richmond. He wrote that his predictions for the election came true.
John Kean Declaration of Rights, January, 1788

John Kean
01-01-1788

A document titled the Declaration of Rights, written by John Kean. He discussed government and Liberty of citizens and said that a legislature body should not forget themselves and pass an act that oppresses mankind because the people would revolt. The spirit of the people must guard the declarations and preserve the right of election. On the last page of the document John Kean wrote a count of the number of slaves he had on different properties.