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Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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Margaret Livingston to John Kean, May 7, 1790

Margaret Livingston
05-07-1790

Mrs. Margaret Livingston wrote to John, addressed to New York, by J. Chancellor. She was thankful to get his letter from Mr. Tillohan [?]. She refers to John's wife, Susan, as her cousin. Margaret comments on John's health and participation in national affairs. She is a practicing Christian. She thanks John for the melon seeds. She hopes to see John and Susan and meet their son Peter for the first time, in June, with her daughter. She describes Clermont, which needs improvements.
Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, March 27, 1790

Philip Livingston
03-27-1790

Philip wrote to his sister, Susan, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. Philip updates Susan on the purchase of bank shares and stocks on her behalf. Stocks went up in response to the President's message to Congress. Philip states "It is impossible to answer your question shall we have war - We hope not."
Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, March 5, 1790

Philip Livingston
03-05-1790

Philip wrote to his sister, Susan, addressed to Elizabeth Town, NJ. He is requesting Susan's advice on purchasing bank shares and stock on her behalf. He also mentions Commissioners in Paris.
John Randolf to St. George Tucker, March 5, 1790

John Randolph
03-05-1790

John Randolf wrote to St. George Tucker, addressed to Williamsburg, VA. John wrote to his step father, whom he calls "Papa" concerning whether he was to leave college to work with Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, the new Attorney General of the United States. He disliked the formalities and regulations of college. People included: [Edmund] Randolph.
Jacob Read to Joh Kean, September 20, 1790

Jacob Read
09-20-1790

Jacob wrote to John, addressed to New York, via Captain Elliot on the Sloop Maria. His handwriting is challenging.

Topics included: Court of Common Pleas, Court of Chancery, payment from John's creditors, bonds, the Office of Sheriffs, and weather.

Names included: Robert Barnwell, Mr. Pringle, Rutledge, General Pinckney, Pritchard, and Tubly.
Jacob Read to John Kean, April 1, 1790

Jacob Read
04-01-1790

Jacob wrote to John, addressed to New York via Captain Motley. Names included: Mr. Barnwell (bond not received), Tubly, Rutlege and Davis, Ed. Rutledge, Executors of Grove. Places named: Beaufort, Savannah, Columbia, and Coosawhatchie [River]. Also mentioned: Northern Spectators.
William Stephens to John Kean, April 16, 1790

William Stephens
04-16-1790

William wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York via Captain Carpenter. William sent a subpoena from [John] Wereat (Auditor General of Georgia), who thinks John was a co-partner of Box Lavien and Company, concerning payments to British merchants. William thinks Wereat is more concerned with foreign creditors than U.S. citizens. There is a possible land deal between William Deveaux and John Kean for good pasture on Argyle Island, 6 miles north of Savannah. William gives his opinion on settling state debts. The "Indians are quiet" and with soldiers in the southern counties, they can be settled. He finishes with comments on Drayton's Territory and the rice of rice.

Names included: Schermerhorn, Old Hunt (who lives in Tappy, near Tipperary, Ireland), Davies's widow and her husband Mr. Stebbins, and Mrs. Watts (plantation on Bloody Point/Daufuskie Island).
William Stephens to John Kean, August 17, 1790

William Stephens
08-17-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York via Sloop Jenny. William doesn't understand why Congress decided to more from New York to Philadelphia. William arrived in Augusta, GA and got very sick. He attended court and many matters were settled. He's concerned with expired tender, medium (money), taxation by the Legislature, State Debts, and British Debts. Crops appear plentiful. Regarding war with Spain and Britain, William suggested the U.S. "play Dutchman and milk the cow."

Names included: [John] Wereat (Auditor General of Georgia), Mrs. Box, and Mrs. Davies.
William Stephens to John Kean, February 12, 1790

William Stephens
02-12-1790

William wrote to John Kean, no address. He gave updates on Georgia and John's business in that state. The British Creditors are suing for their debts. There are updates on the property that was confiscated from Loyalists. David Tably (dead), owned money to John, and rafts of lumber are held by John Clark as partial payment. William Deveans [or Devereux] offers John land in Argyle County to pay his debt. Ed. Davies has no known property, Bernard has property in Ireland, Mr. Goodsion has no remaining property. He finishes with comments on General Jackson and the "disposal of Western Territory."
William Stephens to John Kean, March 24, 1790

William Stephens
03-24-1790

William wrote to John, no address. Names and topics included: Schermerhorn, [John] Wereat (Auditor General of Georgia), British Merchants, British Creditors, Confiscation of British Debts, Treaty of Peace, Peter Lavien (deceased and indebted to British merchants), Gazons (Western Territory People), Indians, Speculators, Carpenter, Tubly (dead and lumber not received for expected payment), Read, and General Cortamily [?].
William Stephens to John Kean, May 11, 1790

William Stephens
05-11-1790

William Stephens wrote to John, addressed to New York, care of Mr. Wilcox. William received $100 from Tubly's estate for John Kean. Mr. Wilcox will manage the money. Barnham shipped 8 barrels of John's rice, which can make a small profit "keeping the devil from your pocket, should he appear in the shape of a lawyer."
William Stephens to John Kean, May 25, 1790

William Stephens
05-25-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York, care of Captain Smith.

Names and topics included: Box Lavien and Company, Act of Confiscation, Barnham and rice, attending Assembly, Yazoo Land, Hutchingson's land, Mr. Mitchell, De--[illegible], Dr. Hall, bills of exchange, and good weather.
William Stephens to John Kean, October 13, 1790

William Stephens
10-13-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York. William said the payment was delayed by a local loan officer, who doesn't yet have instructions. The Federal Circuit Court will likely delay "Wereat against Kean" until next April. William suggested John sell his land before the trial so he can get more money and cover his debts. He also wrote about Guarda Courtes, Colonel [Alexander] Hamilton, and John Wood, concerning a boat.
William Stephens to John Kean, October 28, 1790

William Stephens
10-28-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to Philadelphia (New York is crossed out). William confirmed Judge Iredell was the only person present at the Federal Circuit Court and "Wereat against Kean" will be tried in Savannah at a later date. He will consult with Habersham on a Judiciary Act. He commented on John's land in Georgia, Bryen and Wade's certificate, and will say "nothing about British Debts."
William Stephens to Unknown Person, May 10, 1790

William Stephens
05-10-1790

William Stephens wrote to an unknown person, unaddressed. Stephens wrote about rice being shipped by the sloop Friendship. He suggested the rice be sold in New York because of the scarcity of money in Savannah. Three companies of troops from New York left for St. Mary's, Georgia to the relief of settlers there, but the governor felt that such was unnecessary because "the Indians, are so peaceably welcomed." People included: Capt. Barnham, governor [of Georgia], President of the United States. Places included: New York, St. Mary's, GA.
William Wilke to John Kean, August 29, 1790

William Wilkie
08-29-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York, and hand delivered by Mr. Graham. William enclosed a letter from Beaufort (not present). William didn't receive money for John's indigo yet. The Sate Medium (money) is stable.
William Wilkie to John Kean, April 14, 1790

William Wilkie
04-14-1790

William Wilkie, from Charleston, wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York via Captain Snell. John's indigo and rice are not selling. "Nothing will sell for near its value and when sold, Vendue [auction] Masters find it difficult to collect the money."

Names included: Oliver Stackweather (will deliver newspapers to John), Mr. White, and Mr. Pringle.
William Wilkie to John Kean, February 16, 1790

William Wilkie
02-16-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York by Captain Snell. Names included: Chisholm, Maxwell, Nuville, Robert Barnwell. Topics included: Loan Office Certificates, decrease in John's agriculture and textile prices, specifically indigo, rice, and the textiles ravens duck, ozanbrig [osenberg/osnaburg], frequently used to make clothes for enslaved people, and thread. William says the "paper money medium of this state is looked on as very good."
William Wilkie to John Kean, July 24, 1790

William Wilkie
07-24-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York. He enclosed an account sale for John's indigo and a statement of John's bond to Thomas Agier (neither are attached). William also sent 8 packets of newspapers by Captain Elliot. He wrote about South Carolina Medium [money] and its value.

Names included: Mr. Chisholm, Mr. Holmes, Maxwell, and Mr. White.
William Wilkie to John Kean, November 11, 1790

William Wilkie
11-01-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to Philadelphia (New York crossed out). John's last letter was delivered by the brigg Grand Sachem. William got passage for the enslaved people 3 days after they arrived (no names or numbers of people included). William sent fruit trees and 4lbs of apples to Beaufort by Captain Minott. He explains a payment by Judge [John Faucheraud] Grimke to Mr. Ward, indents to cover services and supplies, and doesn't know if Congress will allow them for assumption (payments?). William expected to hear from Mr. Barnwell about an indigo sale.
William Wilkie to John Kean, September 23, 1790

William Wilkie
09-23-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to New York via Captain Elliott. William says Merchants won't agree on a price for indigo, so sales were slow since January. He sent a pair of shoes for enslaved people for a pattern (not included).

Name included: Mr. Barnwell.
Philip Livingston to Susan Livingston, circa December 1798

Philip Livingston
12-1798

Philip Livingston wrote from New York, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Livingston informed Susan that they arrived in town after the first snow in sleighs. He was confined by indisposition to the house but was recovering. Discussed purchasing land.
Jacob Read and T.F. Grimke to Susan Kean, December 20, 1789

Jacob Read and T.F. Grimke
12-20-1789

Jacob Read and T.F. Grimke wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jacob Read informed Susan that a copy drawn by their mutual friend Judge Grimke had come to hand. Requested that Susan either direct him to apply for the payment or another disposition. A copy of a bill from Judge Grimke was enclosed that stated Susan was to pay Mr. Jacob Read forty-six dollars and twenty-five cents on account of her Canal Shares.
William Norvell to Unknown Person, December 1, 1763

William Norvell
12-01-1763

William Norvell to Unknown Person, unaddressed. William Norvell requested a list of goods be sold to him. People included: Mr. Cooper.
Thomas Walker to Unknown Person, May 8, 1760

Thomas Walker
05-08-1760

Thomas Walker to Unknown Person, unaddressed. The letter informs to the bearer to bring one loaf of sugar.