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Liberty Hall Collection 1780s

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Lists: Lands in South Carolina, circa 1780s

John Kean
circa 1780s

The following document contains notes in John Kean's hand regarding land he owned in South Carolina including locations such as Hilton Head, St. Helena, the Main, a House and Lott in Beaufort, a Store and Lott in Beaufort, and a Back Lott. There are mathematical equations on the verso. This document is undated but likely composed in the 1780s.
Susan Kean to John Kean, February 3, 1788

Susan Kean
02-03-1788

Susan Kean wrote to her husband John Kean addressed to Beaufort, SC. She explained to him that she is traveling to New York soon and makes mention of their unborn child, Peter.
Susan Kean to John Kean, January 13, 1788

Susan Kean
01-13-1788

Susan Kean wrote to John Kean, her husband, address not included. Susan's sister, Elizabeth Otto died in childbirth. Susan was also pregnant and wrote out her wishes should she die as well. She wrote that she felt their child should spend it's infancy with her father Peter Van Brugh Livingston, as he loved children. She said if it was a girl she would like her to be raised as a sister with Elizabeth's daughter Eliza Julia Otto. She said her sister Sarah Ricketts had offered to be a mother to her child should it need one.

People Included: Lewis William Otto and Mr. Rutherfurd.
Susan Kean to John Kean, March 7, 1788

Susan Kean
03-07-1788

Susan Kean wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, her husband, addressed to Beaufort, to the care of Alexander Chisholm, merchant, Charleston. She wrote about their son who was not yet named. She asked his opinion on the name Peter Philip James. She also said they needed to discuss where they would live in the summer and that Lewis William Otto was selling some of his furniture cheaply. She requested that he send some Sevil Orange trees to Sarah Ricketts. The first page is a modern note on the letter, noting that it was written on the 9th day after Peter Kean's Birth.
Samuel Lawrence to John Kean, November 28, 1788

Samuel Lawrence
11-28-1788

Samuel Lawrence wrote from Beaufort to John Kean, address not included. He wrote about renting store. He asked what improvements he could make and be reimbursed for as well as if he could rent for a year long term or only month to month. He mentioned rent from Robert Barnwell for a house and money paid by Mr. Fauchild.
Margaret Livingston to John Kean, July 16, 1788

Margaret Livingston
07-16-1788

Margaret Livingston wrote from Cleremont to John Kean, address not included. she apologized for not answering his letter sooner and offered her congratulations to him and Susan on the birth of their son, Peter Kean. She was glad to hear from both John and Mr. Huger that John's health has improved. She also wrote about her fruit trees and said she would send John's sentiments on to her son, Edward.
Margaret Livingston to John Kean, October 13, 1788

Margaret Livingston
10-13-1788

Margaret Livingston wrote from Clermont, NY to John Kean, address not included. She wrote she was upset she had not yet had the chance to see John, Susan, and their baby, Peter, and wrote at length about religion. In the postscript, she asked if he would accept 3 each of Spilenberg pearmain and Pippin apples.
Margaret Livingston to Susan Kean, July 11, 1788

Margaret Livingston
07-11-1788

Margaret Livingston wrote to Susan Kean, her cousin, addressed to New York. Margaret wrote that she was sending Susan's husband, John Kean, some trees and told Susan how she should request they be placed on the ship and where John should put them once they arrived.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, August 12, 1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
08-12-1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, his son-in-law, address not included. James Ricketts arrived back in Elizabethtown and delivered John's letters and money sent to Peter. He was glad to hear Peter Kean, John's son, was doing better.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, February 28, 1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
02-28-1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, his son-in-law, addressed to Beaufort, SC by the care of Mr. Chisholm, Charleston, SC. He responded to two letters John had sent and told him about Eliza Otto's death. He said that he was unable to give Kean a loan to help with the fire damage done to his property. Susan, John's wife and Peter's daughter had given birth to a baby boy at Elizabethtown. She had gone there to stay with her father, step-mother, Elizabeth Livingston, and sister, Sarah Ricketts.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, July 28, 1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
07-28-1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Abysenia to John Kean, address not included. The Convention adopted the new Constitution. He, Elizabeth Livingston, and Sarah Ricketts sent their best and hoped Lewis William Otto was doing better than when they last saw him.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, June 23, 1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
06-23-1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, addressed to Hanover Square, No. 3, New York, NY. He wrote that he received John Kean's letter, including the one for Mr. Rutherfurd which was given to Mr. Dayton to forward. He hoped that John and Susan's health was better, but said that Peter was doing fine. Eliza Otto was also with him and has grown her first tooth. He was unable to gift John the rent for the house and suggested they work on finding a smaller house and then seeing what could be done.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, March 7, 1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
03-07-1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote from Elizabethtown to John Kean, his son-in-law, addressed to Beaufort, SC, to the care of Mr. Chisholm, merchant in Charleston, SC. He had written him previously and sent the letter by way of Dr. Beard and Captain Elliott. However, Captain Silcorks's ship is bound for Charleston so he wrote again. He gave an update on Susan and the baby and gave news of the family including Philip Livingston and Sarah Ricketts. The weather had been very severe and the East River froze over and you could take a sled to Staten Island.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston to John Kean, September 4, 1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston
09-04-1788

Peter Van Brugh Livingston wrote Ancram to John Kean, his son-in-law, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY. Peter Kean, John's son had been ill, but had a new nurse and was doing well. If John plans to leave the house he was staying in, Peter had a number of applicants for it including Mr. Barry, Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Georgres, and Dr. John Cochran.
John Charles Lucena to John Kean, May 12, 1788

John Charles Lucena
05-12-1788

John Charles Lucena wrote from London to John Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC.He wrote regarding an account between them. Lucena wrote that there was an error in the account regarding enslaved people and explained it. He also advised John that the land on the neck will not yield an adequate return.
Receipt from Jacob Mark and Philip Mark, June 24, 1788

Jacob Mark and Philip Mark
06-24-1788

Receipt from Jacob Mark and Philip Mark, to an unknown person, totaling 7 pounds.
Arch McLean to John Kean, June 16, 1788

Archibald McLean
06-16-1788

Arch McLean wrote from New York to John Kean, addressed to No. 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY. He wrote to say he would accept the work of copying manuscripts and broke down the cost per page and the different materials. He said he could have 10 completed withing four months.
Joseph Nourse to John Kean, June 20, 1788

Joseph Nourse
06-20-1788

Joseph Nourse wrote from New York to John Kean, addressed to Congress. The top part of the letter is an account of the State of Old Commissions as of January 1, 1788. He wrote that he was returning the lottery tickets and certificate. He mentioned a letter John sent for Mrs. Nourse that mentioned Mrs. Smith, and Mrs Gough. He directed John to John Smith Esq. near Winchester.
Belcher Noyes to John Kean, June 24, 1788

Belcher Noyers
06-24-1788

Belcher Noyes wrote from Salem to John Kean, addressed to New York. He had heard from Mr. Barnwell that John was in New York so he wrote to request a favor. He said he should be in Beaufort, SC the end of October.
Lewis William Otto to Susan Kean, December, 1788

Lewis William Otto
12-01-1788

Lewis William Otto wrote to his sister in-law Susan Kean, both locations unknown. He talked mainly about the recent death of his wife and Susan's sister, Elizabeth "Eliza" Otto, and politely declined Susan's offer to mother his daughter. He explained how in her last letter Elizabeth suggested that Susan's niece, Eliza Bayard, would be best suited to raise the child since they both had similar obligations to one another. He ended the letter by quoting some of her beautiful final words. The letter is dated December of 1788 without an exact day of the month noted.
Lewis William Otto to Susan Kean, December, 1788

Lewis William Otto
12-01-1788

Lewis William Otto wrote to his sister in-law Susan Kean, both locations unknown. He elaborated on some of his feelings after the passing of his wife and Susan's sister, Elizabeth "Eliza" Otto, claiming how he is "less attached to the beauties, to the charms of this world". He went on to explain how he still feels an attachment to Susan and the rest of the family and but was not sure if he could come back to Elizabethtown as he did not want to provoke any further grief. The letter is dated December of 1788 without an exact day of the month noted.
Lewis William Otto to Susan Kean, February 20, 1788

Lewis William Otto
02-20-1788

Lewis William Otto wrote to Susan Kean, address not included. There had been no boats from Charleston, so he had no news for her. Someone from Susan's household came to borrow six crowns and said her husband would accompany her to Elizabethtown. He commented that her dress gave her such a distinguished appearance that his French servant had told him a Lady was there to speak to him.
Lewis William Otto to Susan Kean, January 25, 1788

Lewis William Otto
01-25-1788

Lewis William Otto wrote to Susan Kean, his sister-in-law, addressed to Mr. Ricketts's Elizabethtown. He wrote about how busy he had been with the arrival of the Count de M. He also wrote about his grief over the loss of his wife, Eliza Otto, and briefly about his daughter, Eliza.

People Included: Mr. M Coub, Dr. Bard, Mrs. Delaford, Mr.Livingston, Sarah Ricketts, and Mr. Hartman.
Lewis William Otto to Susan Kean, March 1, 1788

Lewis William Otto
03-01-1788

Lewis William Otto wrote to Susan Kean, addressed to Mr. Ricketts's Elizabethtown. He wrote congratulating her on the birth of her son, Peter Kean, and said that he told her brother, Philip Livingston, and Mrs. La Forest.
Lewis William Otto to Susan Kean, November 19, 1788

Lewis William Otto
11-19-1788

Lewis William Otto wrote from New York to Susan Kean, addressed to Beaufort, SC. He wrote about that his daughter, Eliza Otto, had been indisposed by teething, but was doing better. The family in Elizabethtown wanted to hear from Susan, and the De LaForest's missed Susan as did Lewis. All their friends expected John Kean, Susan's husband to have an appointment under the new government. He could not write much as Mr. Huger's ship was leaving soon but added the Gouverneur Morris was traveling to France on private business.