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Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

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John Kean to David Ramsay, February 3, 1788

John Kean
02-03-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to David Ramsay, address not included. in the letter, he summed up his knowledge of the debt of the United States and the federal financial situation. He also offered his opinions and advice.
John Kean to Jacob Read, February 26, 1788

John Kean
02-26-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Jacob Read, addressed to Charleston, SC. He wrote regarding his, Wiggs, and Pelot's judgments. He asked that Read forward J. Weatherly and B. Matthews bond with him to Alexander Chisholm. On the back, he wrote a line asking if Read transferred the exemplification of the judgment against W.D. to Savannah.
John Kean to Jacob Read, February 26, 1788

John Kean
02-26-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Jacob Read, addressed not included. He wrote asking Jacob to send to Alexander Chisolm the bond from Isaac Weatherly and Benjamin Matthews to John Kean. On the back is a short note signed by Alexander Chisolm that said he received the bond.
John Kean to Jacob Read, March 5, 1788

John Kean
03-05-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Jacob Read, addressed to Charleston. He asked Read t send him his bond with Hilderson Wiggs as their business was settled. He said he would pay Read when he went to Charleston. He also wrote that their mutual friend Pinckney had gotten married. The third page is an inventory of different letter sets with a mark next to the name John Kean. the letter described in the inventory is this one.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 11, 1788

John Kean
04-11-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that Susan should have a nurse to feed their son as he worried for her health. He said that if Elizabeth Livingston and Sarah Ricketts had one in mind she should listen to them. He mentioned that Miss Van Horne was traveling to New York in May and he hoped she could accompany Betsey Bayard. CP is engaged in Miss Laurens and John sent letters for Susan's family and Dr. Bard.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 1788

John Kean
04-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Kean was glad to hear Susan decided to stay with friends. In response to her question regarding their residence, Kean informed her that if the office they had in contemplation, or if the representation of the state in Congress was to take effect, he would continue to New York or wherever Congress decided to reside. If they were to return in the fall, it would be better to hire servants than to pay the passage for their slaves Celia, Sarah, and two children. If they were to stay longer, he would bring them. Kean discussed payment of £2,000 in debt towards plantation expenses and house repairs. Wished that Susan continued to send Loudoun’s paper with the Federalist in succession from the 25^th of January. Although Loudoun was not the most esteemed in New York, Kean felt he was one of the most clean and cogent reasoners. If it was to be published, Kean requested Susan send it to him. Charles Pinckney felt the power of Cupid’s Dart, the divinity of his adoration was Miss Laurens (Mary Eleanor Laurens). Kean sent a few birds to Mrs. De La Forest that he preserved according to her specifications including a male and female red bird, a blue bird, and a nonpareil hummingbird.

Note: This letter is incomplete as it starts with page 2.

People mentioned: Celia [enslaved], Sarah [enslaved], two children [enslaved], Charles Pinckney, Mary Eleanor Laurens, David Ramsay, Henry Laurens, and Beaumanoir De Laforest.

There are two documents uploaded to this file. The top one is a copy of the original and the bottom one is the transcription
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 20, 1788

John Kean
04-20-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that he was worried he would not be back in Beaufort in time to send a letter with Wilcox, but luckily he was. He would forward Wilcox $200 which he would repay once he arrived in New York. John had been busy planting and was feeling fatigued. He wrote about how he did not like being a part from Susan and about their son, Peter Kean.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 5, 1788

John Kean
04-05-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He returned to Beaufort from Savannah, GA. He gave a list of all the money he owed, what was owed to him, and property he owned. He told Susan that he transferred 2000 acres of land in Georgia to a trust for her and her children. Her trustees were William Stephens, Philip Livingston, and Robert Barnwell. John wrote that once the conflicts with local Native Americans were over he would turn it into a functioning plantation worked by up to 100 enslaved people. The letter is missing the final page.
John Kean to Susan Kean, April 8, 1788

John Kean
04-08-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. John had finally received letters sent by Susan and her family letting him know she delivered the baby and both are healthy. He recommended she have the baby inoculated as soon as it was safe to do so. He would return to her in May, but is not sure how yet. He wished Schermerhorn had left Savannah a little sooner. If he had then John could have gone with him on his return and taken charge of Betsey Bayard since Houstoun had no plans of returning.
John Kean to Susan Kean, circa 1780s

John Kean
circa 1780s

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Kean informed Susan that they had just arrived at the narrows and hoped the wind would be more favorable. The ship had set sail before he came down. Postscript reads that the wind came around more favorably but was still fussy.
John Kean to Susan Kean, February 10, 1788

John Kean
02-10-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY. He asked that she continue to send him the Federalist, he had up to No. 32 but was missing a part of No. 30.
John Kean to Susan Kean, February 25, 1788

John Kean
02-25-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. Mrs.Cuthbert had given birth to a baby boy, he hoped Susan's birth had been as easy and lamented that Eliza Otto's had not been. He had received a letter from Bartholomew Corvaisier his brother-in-law, that said he had been ill and his son died, But Jane Corvaisier was better now. He wrote about Mrs. Gough and her daughter and that her brother, Robert Barnwell, had been elected as a delegate to Congress. He had not heard from Saltus, presumably because of the harsh weather. He had sent some birds to Mrs. De La Forest, but was sure they were not doing well. In a postscript, he inquired about Congress and if New York had afopted the Constitution.
John Kean to Susan Kean, January 18, 1788

John Kean
01-18-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote that he had just returned from Hilton Head, where he had sent his enslaved people. He described the island's location in relation to the various rivers and sounds that surround it. He sent Susan some hair powder made with white potato that grows in South Carolina. He was staying with Captain Barnwell's mother and her daughter Mrs. Cuthbert. He had not heard from Houston in Georgia but, heard that Georgia ratified the new government and that General Jackson was elected Governor. He expected to hear from Susan that Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New Jersey ratified the Constitution soon. South Carolina's legislature was meeting on the matter.
John Kean to Susan Kean, January 24, 1788

John Kean
01-24-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote to express his sorrow and sympathy over the death of Susan's sister Eliza Otto. He told Susan if there was a boat bound for New York he would have been on it and to do her best to comfort her father Peter Van Brugh Livingston, and brother-in-law Lewis William Otto.
John Kean to Susan Kean, January 27, 1788

John Kean
01-27-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, addressed to No. 32 Broad Street, New York. He wrote the story of Dr. Robertson who had 21 children and outlived all but one of them and his words of wisdom on his misfortune. He hoped she would share this with her father Peter Van Brugh Livingston, as he had recently lost his daughter Eliza Otto.
John Kean to Susan Kean, January 8, 1788

John Kean
01-08-1788

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He wrote to comfort Susan and her worries regarding her pregnancy and John being absent for the birth. He pointed out that his friend General Barnwell had five children and was only present for the birth of one. He was sad to hear of the death of Susan's cousin Molly who died young but was glad Mr. Jay was doing better. He commented on Edward Livingston's upcoming marriage and that he felt Kitty was too good for Hindman. Mr.s Knox and Mrs. W. Livingston had both recently given birth. He hoped to hear soon of Susan's sister, Eliza Otto's, delivery. He felt that he should probably spend more time in Charleston to help secure a government position.
John Kean to Susan Kean, May 27, 1788

John Kean
05-27-1788

John Kean wrote from Charleston to Susan Kean, his wife, addressed to No. 32 Broad Street, New York, NY. South Carolina reached a decision regarding the new constitution, becoming the 8th state to ratify it. He did not think living in Elizabethtown would be a good idea, and would explain more when he saw her. The cold weather brought back his cough, but it seemed to be getting better. He planned on sailing to New York Thursday.
John Kean to Susan Kean, May 5, 1788

John Kean
05-05-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. He had recieved all of Susan's letters from January and March at once. Included with them was a letter from their friend St. Clair. He thanked Susan for suppressing a letter he sent to Lewis William Otto, as he knew now it would have just upset him. Otto was possibly getting a new assignment, which John though would be good as he would be away from reminders Eliza Otto and be busy. He wrote that he did not think Peter's hair would be red, but rather light brown like his mother.
John Kean to Susan Livingston, February 20, 1788

John Kean
02-20-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, his wife, addressed to be left at Mr. Otto's, No. 3 Hanover Square, New York. He had just arrived from Hilton Head and was anxious to hear news of Susan and the baby. He directed Mr. Chisom to send $200 making the total sent $700. He has had not had to sell any property other than the horses. He found means to quiet all his creditors and the only one who still pressed him for money was his brother-in-law Bartholomew Corvaisier. He inquired about Lewis William Otto.
John Kean to William Stephens, April 1, 1788

John Kean
04-01-1788

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included. He asked that William draw up deeds from James Habersham to William Stephens, Philip Livingston, and Robert Barnwell in trust for Susan Kean and her heirs.
John Kean to William Stephens, April 12, 1788

John Kean
04-12-1788

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, addressed to Savannah, GA. He wrote about the sale property in Georgia and converting property to track. He mentioned making sure it was conveyed to Mr. Habersham that some land was sold. The letter was sent to William via Mr. Wilcox.
John Kean to William Stephens, April 21, 1788

John Kean
04-21-1788

John Kean wrote from Beaufort to William Stephens, addressed to Savannah, GA. He wrote about property ownership in Georgia, the Gwinnet Estate settlement, and asked him to cancel his newspaper subscription as they had been delivered too irregularly.

People Included: Wilcox, Bradwell, Sheriff Dollar, Hall, Andrew Parish, R. Demere, and Johnson.
John Kean to William Stephens, April 3, 1788

John Kean
04-03-1788

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included, and asked to be sent papers Schooner Washington- Job Prays account & William Deueaux.
John Kean to William Stephens, April 4, 1788

John Kean
04-04-1788

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included. He wrote that he left the deeds with the Major Habersham for his wife to sign. Once they were signed John requested they be recorded and that if possible a survey be done of the land.
John Kean to William Stephens, March 31, 1788

John Kean
03-31-1788

John Kean wrote to William Stephens, address not included. He asked for William to send him Major John Habersham's bond and the evidence of James and Cot Habersham's debt, which may be part of the Harris Estate. He said he would not bother him with other matters as William was sick. He supposed the men at William's office could draw up deeds for the land in Liberty County.