Skip to main content

Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

John Kean to Susan Kean, May 29, 1793

John Kean
05-29-1793

John wrote to his wife, Susan, addressed at Mr. Ricketts near Elizabeth Town, 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. Pinckney (dead), Mrs. Horry, Franks, Mr. Thomas Willing, and Elizabeth "Betsey" Willing and William Jackson plan to get married.
John Kean to Susan Kean, October 2, 1793

John Kean
10-02-1793

John Kean wrote from Philadelphia to Susan Kean, his wife, addressed to Mr. Corvaisier's near Dunks Ferry. Yellow Fever had been going around the city. John had been staying at the Bank because a servant at home was sick, but then Franks was sick and stayed at the Bank. John Kean eventually had he brought to the house as well.

People Included: Franks, Mr. Ball, Mr. McCall, Terence, Betsey, Celia
John Kean to Susan Kean, October 8, 1793

John Kean
10-08-1793

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean, his wife, address not included. The Yellow Fever was still going on in Philadelphia. Franks, a watchman at the Bank, Mrs. Batts, and a priest Mr. Flemming all died and several others were sick.

People Included: Walker, Mr. Meade, Betsey
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Kean to Susan Kean, September 3, 17xx

John Kean
17xx-09-03

John Kean wrote to Susan Kean in New York (at Mr. Philip Livingston’s). This was the first morning that John Kean was able to bear the sheet and coverlet over him as he slept since his return. The temperature was cool and of the “gently bracing kind that bestows pleasant feelings.” This document is undated.
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).
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.
John Kean to Susan Livingston Kean, July 10, 1793

John Kean
07-10-1793

John Kean wrote to his wife Susan Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He explained his feelings of despair after she had left New York for New Jersey and had hoped to hear from her and their son Peter sometime soon. Additionally, he also informed Susan that he had collected money from John Rutherfurd and that her brother, Philip Livingston, was having trouble crossing the river to make it to Elizabethtown. Interestingly, the letter ends on a humorous note as he wrote, "Give my love to your mama Sally, James, and kiss all the little ones- among whom there is a little boy called peter to whom you will be particular in giving my respects."
Philip Livingston to John Kean, May 18, 1793

John Kean
05-18-1793

Philip Livingston in New York, NY wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. He discussed how the prices of shares depended on the continuation or not. He stated that there was to be no more specie or coins to be shipped from there. He doubted that either the Bank of NY or Bank of US would be able to offer a discount on the JD note. People included: Harrison and Ansley, Mr. Bancker. Places included: Bank of the United States, Bank of New York.
Susan Kean to Unknown, December 12, circa 1700s

Susan Kean
December 12, circa 1700s

Susan Kean wrote to an Unknown Correspondent, unaddressed. The document appears to be a draft of a letter. A severe inflammation in Susan’s left eye prevented her from responding to an invitation. Her sister, Sarah appeared to be unwell. Susan was unable to travel without K [John Kean?] even if she were well, which as she was writing this letter, she was unwell. Knew her correspondent’s affectionate heart would contribute to her comfort.
John Kean Legal Draft, February 1793

Susan Kean and John Kean
February 1793

John Kean wrote on behalf of his wife, Susan Kean in which she appointed Robert Barnwell to manage a bond due by her husband, John Kean to the Estate of her late father. The document is in John Kean’s hand and appears to be a draft.
Philip Livingston to John Kean, April 18, 1793

Philip Livingston
04-18-1793

Philip Livingston in New York wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Philip wrote of the issue of stocks and selling property on Broad Street. People included: the Simpsons, Capt. Stevenson, Mr. Livingston, Daniel Ludlow, Dumouriez places, Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts. Places included: Broad Street, Hannover Square, Amsterdam.
Philip Livingston to John Kean, February 13, 1793

Philip Livingston
02-13-1793

Philip Livingston in New York, NY wrote to John Kean in Philadelphia, PA. Philip informed John about various financial matters which would be of interest to him.
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.
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.
Philip Livingston to John Kean, May 10, 1793

Philip Livingston
05-10-1793

Philip Livingston in New York, NY wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Philip informed John that he will instruct Harrison and Ansley to return John's shares, save those that can be sold at a limited price. People included: Harrison & Ansley, Dan Ludlow, Mrs. Kean. Places included: New York Bank.
Philip Livingston to John Kean, May 31, 1793

Philip Livingston
05-31-1793

Philip Livingston in New York, NY wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Philip discussed how a man broke his leg and how he doubts if he will be able to get a discount from him. A vessel from London arrived with information from London about the war in Europe. There was a universal shortage of money and he hoped specie would arrive safely. People included: JD, Mr. Fish, Mrs. Kean, Mr. Ct, Dumourice. Places included: Austria, Charleston, New York Bank, London, Paris, Cambray, Mons, Bank of the US.
Margaret Marshall to Mrs. Armstrong, March 28, 1793

Margaret Marshall
03-28-1793

Margaret Marshall wrote to Mrs. Armstrong, unaddressed. The letter discussed how Betsey had severe headaches that kept her in bed and the sudden death of a woman likely of scarlet fever. The letter spoke of a gentleman who drowned in grief over the loss and that two of his children were also ill. People included: Peggy Bayard, Mrs. Ricketts, Betsey, Mrs. Van Heauval, Mrs Macomb, Mrs. Houston, Miss Mead, Mrs. Cazenhove, Mrs. Clarkson, John Kean, Peter Kean. Places included: New York, Philadelphia, Rahway.
Margaret Marshall to Susan Kean, May 15, 1793

Margaret Marshall
05-15-1793

Margaret Marshall wrote from New York to Susan Kean in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In her dispatch, Marshall complained that New York was dull and she had nothing to amuse herself with aside from plays and the occasional wedding. She informed Susan of family news and gossiped about friends and acquaintances.
Robert Morris to James Brown, June 12, 1793

Robert Morris
06-12-1793

Robert Morris wrote from Philadelphia to James Brown addressed to Richmond, VA regarding unpaid accounts.

People Included: Mr. Roy, Mr. Loth, and Mr. Hybee
Fanny Otto to Susan Kean, June 16, 1793

Fanny Otto
06-16-1793

Fanny Otto wrote from Paris, France to Susan Kean in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fanny expressed her condolences to Susan on the death of her father, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. She also discussed family news and shared a great deal on her daughter.