Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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Notes on Divorce to John Kean, circa 1794

circa 1794

Incomplete notes addressed to John Kean. One paragraph states the grounds for divorce, the other describes the process. John's half-sister, Jane Grove Corvaisier, confided to John that she wanted to move to Philadelphia and divorce her husband.
Susan Kean Receipt of Interest and Stock, October 1795 - February 1796

October 1795 - February 1796

Account of Susan Kean. Interest and purchase of stock between October 1795 and February 1796.
Invoice of China Ware to Susan Kean, 1796

Gustavus Risberg
March or April 1796

An invoice of one case of China Ware received by the Ship Pigou Captain Richard Dale from Canton and forwarded by Gustavus Risbert to New York on board the Schooner Winthrop Ja[unclear] McCorea by order of Mrs. Susan Kean. Includes an item level list and charges.
E. Allen to Susan Kean, July 4, 179?

E. Allen
July 4, 179?

E. Allen wrote from Chestnut Street, Philadelphia to Susan Kean, address not included to decline an invitation for the next night.
Margaret Armstrong to Susan Kean, c. 1790

Margaret Armstrong
c. 1790-1795

Margaret Armstrong wrote to Susan Kean, addressed to William Dayton's, Elizabeth Town, NJ. She was happy to hear Susan had a safe journey home and returned to find her son, Peter Kean, well. She remarked that he probably had a lot of questions for her. She mentioned smallpox and that her daughter, Eliza Armstrong, was doing fine.

People Included: Mrs. Crugar Bell, Polly, Mrs. Macomb, and Mrs. LaGan
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, March 11 and April 25, 1790

Robert Barnwell
March 11, 1790 and April 25, 1790

Robert wrote to John, no address, about the national debt, interest, and the Chamber of Commerce. He also discusses tax upon negroes and lands. A proposition was rejected by the majority and brought up as an address to the Congress of the United States of which John Kean approves.
Robert Barnwell to Unknown Person, c. 1794

Robert Barnwell
After 1794

Robert Barnwell wrote to an unknown person. He wrote about his inability to make payments on time. He wrote that there had been crop failures that made it impossible for him to submit payments on time. He also referenced a previous payment that was acknowledged in a letter he received from John Kean on June 15, 1794. It is possible the letter is being written to Susan Kean after her husband, John Kean's death, or to John Kean shortly before his death in 1795. This is a partial letter.
M. Cassinove to Susan Kean, July 6, 179?

M. Cassinove
July 6, 179?

M. Cassinove wrote from New York to Susan Kean addressed to Captain Ricketts, Elizabeth Town, NJ. Cassinove, Mr. LeRoy, and Mr. Berum were going to take Cassinove's wagon to Philadelphia. He wrote to tell Susan there was enough room for her and her son, Peter Philip James Kean, and asked if they wanted to travel with them.
Elizabeth Gough to Susan Kean, c. 1791-1792

Elizabeth Gough
c. 1791 or 1792

Elizabeth Gough wrote to Susan Kean, address not included. Eliza visited with Mrs. Ramsey and they had tea together. Joseph Smith, Eliza's son-in-law, enquired about Susan's health frequently, he seemed to be fond of Eliza's daughter Polly. Eliza received a letter from her mother who was not doing well and Eliza feared she would never recover from her sickness. The measles was spreading fast in Beaufort and in Charleston. Eliza was worried Polly would fall ill from the disease. She had not heard from her brother, Robert Barnwell, in five months and was worried that she offended him.
Eliza Gough to Susan Kean, 1791

Elizabeth Gough
c. 1791

Eliza Gough wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, addressed to Philadelphia. She wrote that John Kean, Susan's husband, could have a post for life at Northward and part her hoped he would so Susan would be closer. She mentioned the death of Mr. Eveleigh (presumably Nicholas Eveleigh who died in 1791). She had heard from someone in the neighborhood of Mr. Ropell that her daughter Polly was sick at the Ferry and sent a servant to check if it was true. Polly had a slight fever but was well and Eliza was going to get her the next day.
John Kean and Philip Livingston's Letterbook 1794-1795

John Kean, Philip Peter Livingston, and Susan Kean
December 4, 1794- July 1, 1795

Copies of the letters which passed between John Kean and Philip Peter Livingston, his brother-in-law, during the joint transaction between them. the majority of the letters are written from New York or Philadelphia and mentioned other family members such as Susan Kean and Sarah Ricketts. The last several letters are actually between Philip and his sister Susan Kean, John's wife. This was presumably because of John's failing health and death on May 4, 1795. The letters start on December 4, 1794, and end on July 1, 1795.
Susan Kean Account Book, 1793- 1801

Susan Kean
July 1793-1801

Susan Kean's book of accounts details property held and money owed primarily from July 1793- April 1799 with the exception of one crossed-out entry from 1801.
Susan's Letter Book, 1796-1806 and Undated

Susan Kean and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz
between June 1796 and October 1806, and undated

Letters to or from Susan, written in her handwriting, on the business of Estate, Southern properties, and personal correspondence. Susan wrote 40+ letters, more than half from Elizabeth Town and others from New York, Cranes Farm near Elizabeth Town, from her brother's house, and Abyssinia. The date range is between June 1796 and October 1806, spanning the time she was a recent widow and used the last name Kean, and her marriage to Julian Niemcewicz and used the middle and last name Ursin Niemcewicz. Not all letter drafts are dated. Names include Brockholst Livingston, Mr. Armstrong, Mrs. Hylton, Mr. LeRoy, James Lawrence, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Corvaisier (pages 22 and 36), Gustavus Risberg, Robert Barnwell, Judge Grimke, Mrs. Grimke, Otto, Mr. Stevens. Topics include Jamaica, Santes Canal Shares, marriage (page 30), and the lot and house on Walnut Street.
Philip Livingston to James Ricketts, Saturday Afternoon

Philip Livingston
between 1790 and 1810

Philip Livingston wrote to James Ricketts, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. It included an open letter to Philip's sister, Susan Livingston Kean (later Niemcewicz), so he could read, seal, and deliver it to Susan. Philip invites James to join him in [presumably] New York to watch the Stock Market, which is fluctuating. He also comments on the wind and speed of transport between New Jersey and New York.
Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, August, 1799

Philip Peter Livingston
August 1799 and September 5, 1799

Philip Livingston wrote from New York to Susan Kean, his sister, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. He wrote that he was glad Peter Kean's health had improved. Susan had previously asked about real property values in Philadelphia and her brother said that they had gone down because of the Yellow Fever and to sell in the winter was the best idea. Mr. Shipman said that John Kean's Estate was indebted to Philip, but he said that was wrong.

People Included: Mr. Burrall and Jus. Rutherfurd
Julian Ursin Niemcewicz's Letterbook, 1799-1800

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz
July 11, 1799- June 6, 1800

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz's letter book containing copies of letters to various people between July 11, 1799, to June 16, 1800. Some the letters are in French. Note that this is a large file and may take some time to download.
On the Hudson

Unknown date

A copy or draft, referencing the River Thames, England, and the Hudson River, New York and the northern board of New Jersey. The handwriting on the verso, likey penned by Susan Livingston Kean Neimcewics, says "Mr. Lewis on the Hudson."
Robert Barnwell to Susan Kean, February 1, 1799

Robert Barnwell
02-01-1799

Robert Barnwell wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, address not included. Robert sent Susan some money that he owed her. He also advised her to hire a power of attorney to investigate what happened to the land John Kean owned in Georgia and to get it back into her name.

People Included: Peter Philip James Kean, John Kean, Peter Van Brugh Livingston
M. Cassinove to Susan Kean, January 29, 1799

M. Cassinove
01-29-1799

M. Cassinove wrote to Susan Kean, address not included. He discussed loans, told her to invest in public stocks in the U.S., and mentioned Mr. Bayton.
Jonathan Coit to William S. Robinson, February 21, 1799

Jonathan Coit
02-21-1799

Cashiers check from Jonathan Coit to Charles Bank and Co for $2000. It is addressed to William S. Robinson and on the back it is signed over to Philip Livingston, addressed to Boradway, New York, NY.
Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, March 27, 1799

Philip Peter Livingston
02-27-1799

Philip Livingston wrote to Susan Kean, his sister, address not included. He wrote that he was still unwell, but had hoped Susan would have called on his wife, Cornelia Livingston. A broker had reached out to him about land in South Carolina and said that if Susan understood the information and thought it was good they would invest. He also mentioned the South Carolina war debt that was partially held by LeRoy and Bayard.
Robinson Thomas to Susan Kean, November 4, 1799

Robinson Thomas
11-04-1799

Bill of sale from Robinson Thomas to Susan Kean for Betty, an enslaved woman, and her nine-month-old child for the price of $175.
Vanderhorst & Miller to Philip Livingston, February 22, 1799

Vanderhorst & Miller
02-22-1799

Vanerhorst & Miller wrote from Charleston to Philip Livingston, addressed to Broadway, NY. The letter said that on the instructions of Robert Barnwell they sent a check in favor of Charles Bank and Co. which was to be paid to Susan Kean, widow of John Kean and sister of Philip Livingston. A duplicate of this letter was also sent and received by Philip.

The check mentioned can be found as "Jonathan Coit to W. S. Robinson, February 21, 1799".
George Van Brugh Brown to Susan Kean, March 26, 1798

George Van Brugh Brown
03-26-1798

George Van Brugh Brown wrote from Holmes, Kilmarnock, North Britain to Susan Kean, his aunt, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. His wife, Elizabeth Brown, had given birth to a little girl also named Elizabeth. George wrote that the next daughter should be named Mary after his mother. He mentioned having hear from Betsy Bayard that Susan was not in Elizabeth Town. He thought it best that Peter in the winter still exercise as much as the distance between Sarah Ricketts's house and town. He wanted to come visit everyone in America with his family but said he could not until "something or other is done in Europe", most likely referring to the on going Napoleonic Wars.
George Van Brugh Brown to Susan Kean, May 30, 1798

George Van Brugh Brown
05-30-1798

George Van Brugh Brown wrote from Holmes, Kilmarnock, North Britain to Susan Kean, his aunt, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. His wife, Elizabeth, had recently had a baby girl also named Elizabeth. He wrote that both mother and child were well, but the baby had begun to have toothaches and was waking up in the night. He wrote that his American friends were the worst correspondents he had often going months without letters from them. He asked for Peter Kean, Susan's son to write him soon. He would be entering the Scotch Militia, but he did not expect them to leave the country this summer. He asked about Philip Livingston and if Betsey or Nancy Bayard were married yet.