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  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.

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  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.

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  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."

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  James A. Buchanan to John Kean, February 28, 1793

  James A. Buchanan

  02-28-1793
  

  James wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. James state the Bank Directors imposed an indirect censure on the Branch Bank at Baltimore. He defends himself. Names included: J.B., W. Robb, Lou. Chesterfield, Tench Coxe, James Carey, John Holmes, J. Anthony, Thomas Willing, W. Patterson, Samuel Smith, General Williams, Ro. Gilman, Theophile Casenove, W. Bingham, Mr. Carey, Wilson, Swan, Dall, Governor Johnston, LeRay, Judge Iredell, Frank, and Gale.

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  Samuel Courtauld to John Kean, February 16, 1793

  Samuel Courtauld

  02-16-1793
  

  Samuel wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Samuel sent a letter from Alexander Chisholm regarding a balance for a bond. Samuel requests that John pay the balance to John Brown.

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  Beaumanoir De Laforest to Susan Kean, September 10, 1793

  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.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, July 4, 1793

  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.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, July 7, 1793

  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).

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, May 25, 1793

  John Kean

  05-25-1793
  

  John wrote to his wife, Susan, addressed at Mr. Ricketts, near Elizabethtown, NJ. John is concerned about Susan's health. Enslaved boys Jacob and Billy have "swelled throats" and their mother believes they have the mumps. John ordered all of Susan's household requests and had her front room papered. She can pick out furniture in New York, but he can't pay until October. The French ship Hannibal is selling its cargo and John prefers Susan select her chest of tea. Names included: Mrs. Otto, La Forest, [Laforest], Mr. [Edmond-Charles] Genet, Dupont, Mr. Ternant, and the Scioto people.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, May 29, 1793

  John Kean

  05-29-1793
  

  John wrote to his wife, Susan, addressed at Mr. Ricketts near Elizabethtown, NJ. John writes about enslaved people Jacob (sick) and Celia (factotum: do everything person). John wants Celia to be his cook for the rest of his life. The temperature changes drastically. Construction continues on a new property, but he's interested in a place on Chestnut Street next to Oeller's Hotel and opposite the playhouse. He puts limits on Susan spending money on furniture. Names included: Eoff, Susan's brother, her father's estate, Mr. Bancker, Mrs. Glymer, Dickenson, Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Pickney (dead), Mrs. Harry, Franks, Mr. Thomas Willing, and Elizabeth "Betsey" Willing and William Jackson plan to get married.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 12, 1793

  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).

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 13, 1793

  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.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 16, 1793

  John Kean

  Monday, 1793
  

  John wrote to Susan, addressed to Mr. Corvaisier's, near Dunk's Ferry. His horse took a rest and twisted the shafts when it tried to get up. It took him an hour to untangle and free the horse. Most of the people exposed to yellow fever by Enks have died or are sick. John considers getting a room in Frankford or somewhere within the vicinity of the city. The letter is dated "Monday." The letter was likely written September 16th, based on Enk's death the previous week.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 19, 1793

  John Kean

  09-19-1793
  

  John wrote to Susan, addressed to her at Mr. Corvaisiers, near Dunks Ferry. Doctors disagree if the cooling weather will reduce the spread of yellow fever. John sent calomel, bark, and salts. Horseback riding is physically hard for John and he is unable to get a sulky (a light-weight cart with two wheels pulled by a horse). He looked at a house in Frankford, but it's not a good fit. Names included: Terence [Terrence] and Mrs. Robertson.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 23, 1793

  John Kean

  09-23-1793
  

  John wrote to Susan, addressed at Mr. Corvaisiers, near Dunks Ferry. He asked if she received medicinal bark from Ms. Cottringer. Warm weather appears to coincide with more cases of yellow fever. The number of people buried in Potters field is at it's highest. Merchant Mr. Lea died yesterday. John plans to visit Susan and his son Peter soon.

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 5, 1793

  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).

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  John Kean to Susan Kean, September 9, 1793

  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.

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  Philip Livingston to John Kean, January 15, 1793

  Philip Livingston

  01-15-1793
  

  Philip wrote to his brother-in-law, John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Philip acts as trustee for his sister Susan (Livingston) Kean. Their father, Peter Van Brugh Livingston, who died the previous month, left Susan or her heirs a bond for £600. Mr. Barnwell was appointed Susan's attorney. Personally, Philip is busy with Legislature and private business. He sends 6 Harrison and Ansley shares to John with a request to sell.

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  Philip Livingston to John Kean, March 1, 1793

  Philip Livingston

  03-01-1793
  

  Philip wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Philip was in poor health. He wrote about temporary relief for merchants by the Custom House. Stocks are doing poorly and he anticipates French money to improve banking in the U.S. Names included: Mr. Milledge, Mr. Bancker, Mr. Barnwell, and Westhall.

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  David Ramsay to John Kean, February 14, 1793

  David Ramsay

  02-14-1793
  

  David wrote to John Kean, no address, but likely Philadelphia, PA. David begins by talking about the legislature and elections. He says the importation of negros is prohibited for 2 years. David's name was included in the newspaper, but he isn't running. Names included: General Pinckney, John Hunter, General Winn, Commander Gillon, Colonel Benton, Dr. Meker, Mr. Smith, late Colonel Laurens, Fanny E. Laurens, young Mr. Laurens (who inherits 350 negros and settled lands, despite an earlier promise to his sister[?]), Mrs. Ramsey, and Nate Zanse [?]. He finished with a comment for "the equal rights of all."

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  Sarah Ricketts to Susan Kean, September 25, 1793

  Sarah Ricketts

  09-25-1793
  

  Sarah wrote to her sister, Susan, addressed to John Kean, Cashier of the U.S. Bank, Philadelphia. Sarah is optimistic that the medicine her brother-in-law uses will protect him from yellow fever. People leaving Philadelphia must quarantine before entering New York. She describes a visit with General Knox, Mrs. Knox, their children (Lucy, Julia, Washington, Caroline), two maids, and two hired servants. Genl. Knox arrived from Philadelphia, and Sarah was afraid to shake his hand. He's heading to B. Point with Mr. Huger. Mrs. Filch is mentioned. Sarah invites her nephew Peter to stay with her. She still has Susan's shoes and bonnet.

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  Richard Shubrick to John Kean, Executor of Samuel Grove, January 13, 1793

  Richard Shubrick and Shubrick and Clempson

  01-13-1793
  

  This is a legal document. Richard is the surviving partner of Shubrick and Clempson. Richard releases all depts of Samuel Grove, deceased. Samuel was copartners with Grove and Davies, Box Lavien and Company, and Peter Lavien and Company (the elder). John Kean was the executor of Samuel Grove. Richard does not release the debts of Edward Davies or his copartners. Other names included: James Ward, Francis Bremar, and Stephen Ravenel.

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  Richard Shubrick to John Kean, January 15, 1793

  Richard Shubrick and Shubrick and Clempson

  01-15-1793
  

  This is a legal document. Richard is the surviving partner of Shubrick and Clempson. Richard releases John Kean from all debts. John was copartners with John Kean and Company, John Pitt and Company, Peter Lavien and Company (the younger), and executor of Samuel Grove and Peter Lavien, both deceased. Richard has not released Edward Davies from payment. Edward was copartners with Grove and Davies, Box Lavien and Co., and Peter Lavien and Co. Other names included: James Ward, Francis Bremar, and Stephen Ravenel.

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  Richard Shubrick to John Lucina, Joanna Lucina, and John Kean, Executors of Peter Lavien, January 15, 1793

  Richard Shubrick and Shubrick and Clempson

  01-15-1793
  

  This is a legal document. Richard is the surviving partner of Shubrick and Clempson. Richard releases all depts of Peter Lavien, deceased. Peter was copartners with Box Lavien and Company, and Peter Lavien and Company (elder and younger), John Kean and Company, and John Pitt and Company. John Lucina, Joanna Lucina, and John Kean were the Executors of Peter Lavien. Richard does not release the debts of Edward Davies or his copartners. Other names included: James Ward, Francis Bremar, and Stephen Ravenel.

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  Richard Shubrick to the Estate of John Pitt, January 15, 1793

  Richard Shubrick and Shurbrick and Clempson

  01-15-1793
  

  This is a legal document. Richard is the surviving partner of Shubrick and Clempson. Richard releases all debts of the Estate of John Pitt, deceased. John Pitt was copartners with Peter Lavien and Company (younger), John Kean and Company, and John Pitt and Company. Richard does not release the debts of Edward Davies or his copartners. Other names included: James Ward, Francis Bremar, and Stephen Ravenel.