Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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Robert Barnwell to John Kean

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.
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."
Beaumanoir De Laforest to Susan Kean

Beaumanoir De Laforest
09-10-1793

Beaumanoir wrote to Susan, address torn off. She's concerned about yellow fever in Philadelphia and tragic events in Paris.

Beaumanoir, whose husband was the Vice-Consul General of the Kingdom of France to the United States, lived briefly in the United States. She had a daughter, Caroline.
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
09-05-1793

John wrote to his wife, Susan, address not included. He talked about "this fever," as the yellow fever was called at the time. Names included: Mr. and Mrs. Meade, the Miller's, Mrs. McCall, Mrs. Bat, Barnwell, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, Mr. Enk, D. Hutchinson, Dr. Rush, and domestic servant Betsey. John enclosed a letter from Jackson to Susan (not included here).
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
07-04-1793

John writes to his wife, Susan, address not included. He describes local celebrations of the fourth of July, business at the First Bank of the United States, and hiring a domestic servant. Names included: Mr. Ricketts, Brentford, Mr. Varinot and fireworks, Mrs. Horry visits New York, Mr. Read and Kate of Charleston, Richard Shubrick John Shultz, Ternant, General Irvine at Carlisle, Mr. Anthony, Peter Kean, and domestic workers Jacob and an unnamed Irishman.
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
09-13-1793

John wrote to his wife, Susan, no address. Names included: Alexander Hamilton, Mr.Barclay, John Beaty, Simpson, Franks, Lawrence, Jonathan Smith, Price, Mr. Willing, Thomas Smith, Stowe and Mandeville, Cochran and Risberg, and Terence. The dead: Walker, the French Consul, Wigton the schoolmaster, and from the Bank of Pennsylvania, the chief bookkeeper and one Porter. John had to hire "four new hands." He will try and visit Susan the following day but doubts he can get a seat on the mail stage without going directly to New York. As soon as Terence gets confident in driving, he will send him up.
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
09-09-1793

John wrote to Susan, his wife, address not included, about yellow fever. Names include Mr. Enk (dead), John Beaty, and Alexander Hamilton. He took a bath in vinegar to prevent the illness.
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
09-12-1793

John wrote to his wife, Susan, address not included. He updated her on people sick or dead from yellow fever, holistic remedies, and recovery from saddle sore. Names included: Enk, Beaty, Mr. Willing, and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Mr. C., and Terence. John enclosed Brown's paper, describing both Dr. Kuhn and Rush's different methods of treating the disorder (not present).
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
07-07-1793

John wrote to his wife, Susan, addressed to Mr. Ricketts, near Elizabeth Town. Yellow fever is spreading in Philadelphia and he's grateful that Susan and their son Peter are out of town, Peter's improving health, using medicinal bark, and preparation for their house in Philadelphia. He describes horseback riding on Province Island. Names included: Meade, Violet, Peggy Marshall, Ramsay family. Events included: Battle of Cap-Francais, French Saint-Domingue (now Haiti).
Samuel Wilcox to John Kean

Samuel Wilcox
02-11-1792

Samuel wrote to John, addressed as Cashier of the Bank of the U.S. No. 80 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Samuel found it impracticable to purchase stocks for John. When he first arrived in Charleston stocks fell. He did not realize the state debt would be so soon. It was impossible to purchase stocks unless you were paying with physical cash. The price of stocks are listed at the bottom of the letter. Names included: Grimke, Heyward, Joyner, and Mr. Watson.
Elizabeth Gough to Susan Kean

Elizabeth Gough
03-15-1791

Elizabeth wrote to Susan, addressed to Philadelphia, about life in Beaufort since Susan left. Names include Robert Barnwell (her brother), Mrs. Porteon and her twins (details of her illness, miscarriage, and death), Maria, Polly, Mr. Izard, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Smith (robbed), Susan's brother (Philip or Peter, who recently married).
Elizabeth Gough to Susan Kean

Elizabeth Gough
09-21-1791

Elizabeth wrote to Susan, address not included, updating her about life in Beaufort, SC. Many people are unwell. Names include: Dr. Child, Mrs. Managantt, Capt. Saltas, Mr. Godin, her brother Edward, Mr. Gearard's family, Polly Rospel, Mr. Ders (dead), Mrs. Wilcox, Mr. Lews, Mrs. Cuthbert, and more. Elizabeth heard Susan's husband John will leave all his possessions in South Carolina and that Susan's Uncle died. Elizabeth sent flower roots and will send more when she can.
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
09-06-1791

John wrote to his wife, Susan, address not included. He's glad she is "out of town for it has been sickly amongst the children." Names included: Foster, Grimke, Mr. and Mrs. Read, Vice-President John Adams, Mr. Bradford, Brockolst Livingston, Shubrick, Mrs. Keply, Mrs. Allen (gossip), and enslaved women Celia and Sarah. Mrs. Grimke wants common China for the afternoon tea party. He asks if Susan's brother were to purchase land that exceeds 100 or 150 acres if he can spare 50 to 10 acres for a retreat for Susan. He thinks Bush Hill will be deserted during the winter, the vice-president (John Adams) took the house in which Mr. Bradford is currently residing. The markets in Philadelphia grow higher and higher.
John Kean to Susan Kean

John Kean
08-21-1791

John wrote to his wife, Susan, address not included. Names included: Major Butler, Mr. Ternank, Mrs. Buddens, Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Otto, Mr. DeLibbert, W. Smith of South Carolina, John Rutherford, The Chews and Sophia, George A. Hall, Grimke, Alexander Hamilton, Woolech, Susan's brother, and enslaved people Celia, Sarah, Jacob, Billy, Daphne. He told Susan not to expose herself to the Staten Island sun "because it does not agree with her." He has more servants than he knows how to employ. He plans to dine at headquarters Thursday, where he expects to get all the news. Hamilton thinks Woolech is "in a bad way and is afraid he will lose him."
William Elliot to John Kean

William Elliot
06-09-1790

William wrote to John, c/o Joseph Clay Jr. in New York, to update John on the weather and agriculture onat John's plantation on Paris Island, SC during the fall and winter seasons. He includes details about indigo, corn, and potatoes, and the weather. Lightning struck a church steeple. William's Uncle Robert attended the State Convention in Columbia where the South Carolina State Constitution was revised. The parishes are divided. Names include Mr. Wilcox, Sam (who manages John's land), Dr. Cuthbert, Mrs. Elliot, and young William.
William Elliot to John Kean

William Elliot
10-23-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to Philadelphia, about the state of John's plantation. The was an equinoctial storm (tropical storm) in mid-September that damaged indigo crops. Sam is managing the plantation. William suffered from "smach" fever for weeks. Robert Barnwell expects to be elected to Congress. Dr. Stuart will no longer rent John's house in Beaufort.