Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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Jacob Read to John Kean, October 31, 1792

Jacob Read
October 31, 1792

Jacob Read in Charleston, SC, wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. The letter discussed the Bank of the United States. People included: G. Willing, Mr. Barnwell, Mrs. Kean, Mr. Bale.
Richard Shubrick to John Kean, April 12, 1792

Richard Shubrick
04-12-1792

Richard Shubrick in Charleston, SC wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Shubrick wrote to Kean about property presented by Grimké to him. People included: Judge Grimké, Samuel Grove, P.L., T.P., R. Barnwell, T. Rutledge, Bernard, Hunt, [Godgion], Joshua Ward, William Greenwood. Places included: England, [Davis] Estate, Prince William's Parish, [Beaufort], Georgia.
Jonathan and William Simpson to John Kean, February 13, 1792

Jonathan Simpson and William Simpson
February 13, 1792 and January 7, 1791 (copy)

Jonathan and William Simpson are writing to John Kean, February 13, 1792, to confirm William Wilkie is a Factor (agent) for John Kean and unless payments are started, they will take John Kean to Chancery Court.

The letter begins with a copy of a letter sent by Jonathan and William Simpson on January 7, 1791, delivered by William Wilkie to John Kean concerning payment of Mrs. Grove's bond to Anthony Lechmere, deceased, was not paid in full. It was partially paid by the sale of indigo, but Mr. Sargent's receipt for the indigo was less than expected. Other names included: J. and F. Atkinson.
Williams Stephens to Colonel Barnwell, March 21, 1792

William Stephens
03-21-1792

William Stephens in Savannah, Georgia wrote to Colonel Barnwell and John F. Grimké unaddressed. Stephens responds to a request by Barnwell in his capacity as John Kean's lawyer in South Carolina. Stephens expected a payment to be made to him in regard to the estate of Jonathan Bryan. Stephens planned to write to John Kean and receive a response. People included: Mr. Kean, Jonathan Bryan. Places included: Carolina, New York.
William Stephens to John Kean, April 30, 1792

William Stephens
04-30-1792

William Stephens in Savannah, GA wrote to John Kean, unaddressed. The letter discussed the Federal court decision regarding the confiscation of British debts. There was also the issue of a case involving the bonds of Kelsall & Spalding, which concerned continental currency payments. The letter discussed the state supreme court and the issue of John Kean's books. This letter also concerned loans and a bill of lading concerning rice. People included: Judge Iredell, Judge Pendleton, Kersall, Spalding, Rose, Porteons, O'Byren, Wade, Mr. Read, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Kean. Places included: Federal Court.
William Stephens to John Kean, December 10, 1792

William Stephens
December 10, 1792

William Stephens in Savannah, GA wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. This letter discussed a court trial that resulted in a verdict against Kean and an error that voided the outcome. Stephens reported the arrival of books to him and he paid off Mike's debt. People included: Mike, Channing, Bryan, Mr. Wercat. Places included: Barber's Island, Charleston.
William Stephens to John Kean, June 19, 1792

William Stephens
06-19-1792

William Stephens in Savannah, GA wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. This letter involved a variety of topics. It discussed property and deeds of prominent citizens from the South. This also dealt with the legal issues in Charleston, SC concerning the Bryan estate. Grimké received payment in that regard from the sale of nine enslaved. Mr. Wercat planned not to take land for his claim. The letter discussed commercial, debt, and tax issues. Native Americans apparently threatened them with "mischief." People included: Richard Shubrick, Mr. Grimké, Conyers, Barnard, [Hart], Goodgion, Barnwell, Bryan, Mr. Wercat, Dr. Channing, Tom Miller, Miller's Mother, Bryan, Wade, Mrs. Stephen, Mrs. Kean, Capt. Collings.
William Stephens to John Kean, March 21, 1792

William Stephens
03-21-1792

William Stephens in Savannah, GA wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. This letter discusses financial matters between various Kean associates. People included: Colonel Barnwell, Mr. Grimké, Mr. Shurbrick, Byran, McQueen, Bowman, Wade, O'Bowen, Belcher, Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Kean. Places included: Carolina.
William Stephens to John Kean, May 2, 1792

William Stephens
05-02-1792

William Stephens in Savannah, GA wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. William Stephens complained of the difficulties of moving Kean's books to Augusta for the purposes of winning a court case with Mr. Wercat. He enclosed another bill of lading for rice. People included: Mr. Wercat, Brailsford, Sam Douglass. Places Included: Augusta.
John Stevens to John Kean, October 15, 1792

John Stevens
October 15, 1792

John Stevens in Hoboken, NJ, wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Stevens wrote that he paid forward an installment of a loan. People included: Mr. Burrall.
Unknown Person to John Kean, October 10, 1792

Unknown
October 10, 1792

An unknown Person in Baldhead Island, NC, wrote to John Kean, unaddressed. The letter discussed business affairs and national politics. The author complained of the incomplete lighthouse there. He complained about the war with Indians in the south of the state. He argued that the civilized portion of humanity was the most violent and unforgiving. People included: Thomas Shubrick, J. Grimké, Mr. Grover, Barnwell, Mrs. G., Mrs. Kean. Places, Mr. Smith. Places included: North Carolina, Virginia, New York.
Benjamin Villeportoux to John Kean, April 16, 1792

Benjamin Villeportoux
04-16-1792

Benjamin Villeportoux in Charleston, SC wrote to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. This letter concerns financial bills of exchange concerning various firms. People included: Col. Grimké, Grave & William, Leroy & Bayard, Hazard & Robinson, Joseph Anthony & Son. Places included: Charleston, Philadelphia.
William H. Wigg to Unknown Person, November 1, 1792

William H. Wigg
11-01-1792

William H. Wigg wrote to Unknown Person, unaddressed. Wigg wrote to an unknown person, probably John Kean, about a payment made on his behalf to William and John Norton. People included: William Norton, John Norton.
Samuel Wilcox to John Kean, April 10, 1792

Samuel Wilcox
04-10-1792

Samuel Wilcox wrote from Charleston, South Carolina to John Kean in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wilcox informed Kean that he was glad he delayed investing Kean’s money since Kean quoted the fall of stocks. It would have been in Kean’s best interest to return the money, which Judge Grimké would have attended to. Discussed business between Kean, Mr. Heyward, and Captain Joyner.
Samuel Wilcox to John Kean, February 11, 1792

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: Grimké, Heyward, Joyner, and Mr. Watson.
List of Books and Papers sent to John Kean, June 21, 1791

06-21-1791

A list of books and papers sent to John Kean by the Georgia packet Caption Burrows. They cover the accounts of John Kean's step-father, Samuel Grove. The actual books and papers are not in the Liberty Hall Collection.
Sister to Susan Kean, October 11, 1791

10-11-1791

Mary McIntosh or Sarah Ricketts wrote to their sister, Susan Kean, no address. The final page was not present. There are many daily details.

She missed Susan and was delighted when she received her letter the night before. She described a religious service that she did not agree with. She described the local neighborhood of her "savage" [Native American?] and they offered her to join them at a potluck, but she declined. She attended a ball hosted by Mr. S. A--, with the children, dancing master, 23 other ladies, and "her" Native American. She prepared curtains for party the next day. Yorick began to understand English. She traveled to Springfield with the children (the machinery of the oil and paint mills, they didn't see the paper mill), then back to Abyssinnia. Next week she planed to go to Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Philadelphia

People included: Peter Kean, Eliza Otto, Rector W. Sprugge, Williamson (Puritanical Psalm), Singer and Clark, Mrs. Dhart and the girls (drank tea), another West Indian/Jamaican family Mr. and Mrs. Drum [illegible], Mr. R and Yrick went to Mr. Governeurs [Gouverneur?] (Turtle Feast and wine), Uncle and Aunt Stevens, Dr. Smith, drank tea with Mrs. Dylton, Mrs. Boudinox and Mrs. Stockton, J. Rutherford, dined with Lady Kitty, Phils, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Livingston, Mrs. McCombe and the girls, Peggy, Miss Ramsay and my old beau,Creole Mrs. Sinclair, William Sheef,
Joseph Abendanone to John Kean, October 11, 1791

Joseph Abendanone
10-11-1791

Joseph wrote to John, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. Joseph requested a subscription, via D. Ramsey. He thanked John for his help asked that the amount be transferred to the Office of Charleston.
Joseph Anthony to Susannah Kean, May 9, 1791

Joseph Anthony
05-09-1791

A receipt from Joseph Anthony to Susan Kaighn [Kean] for her purchase of a pocketbook and a cream jug.
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, July 21, 1791

Robert Barnwell
07-21-1791

Robert wrote to John, no address. Robert proposed a deal to DeSeussure and D--[illegible] regarding [Barthalamew] Corvaisier's claim. Robert asked John what amount John would accept for his enslaved people and land at Paris Island. He reminded John that 2/5ths of the enslaved people are children.
Robert Barnwell to John Kean, September 3, 1791

Robert Barnwell
09-03-1791

Robert wrote to John, no address. Robert talked to John Faucheraud Grimké about John's property sale and Mr. Shubrick. Names included: Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Grove, deceased.

Robert estimated the value of John's property on Paris Island, Hilton Head, the house and lot in Beaufort, and land on the m-- [illegible]. Robert disagreed with the value of John's land and enslaved people, saying the output of the enslaved people would not cover their cost.
Isabelle Bell to Susan Kean, March 1791

Isabelle Bell
03-1791

Isabelle Bell wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Susan Kean in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bell recounted her taxing travels home to New Jersey after visiting Kean in Philadelphia. The roads were so badly flooded that a person on the strongest horse would have struggled to travel ten miles a day. If she were a Lady Montague [Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, essayist, and traveler], she would regularly recount her surroundings for Kean’s verification. Discussed news of family and friends and extended warm wishes to John and Peter Kean.
James Brown to Carter Braxton, January 6, 1791

Carter Braxton
01-06-1791

Carter Braxton wrote this receipt. James Brown received 5 pounds from Braxton.
Receipt: Ellenor Byrne to Susan Kean, March 4, 1791

Ellenor Byrne
03-04-1791

The following document is a receipt from Ellenor Byrne addressed to Susan Kean that reflects Susan's payment of twelve pounds for a set of China.
Bartholomew Corvaisier to John Kean, December 17, 1791

Bartholomew Corvaisier
12-17-1791

Bartholomew Corvaisier wrote to his brother-in-law, John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA. The letter is in French. It concerns a mortgage that involves Mr. Barnwell and "biens, terre, and negres" [goods, land, and Enslaved People].