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Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, January 4, 1799

Philip Livingston
01-04-1799

Philip Livingston wrote from New York, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Livingston informed his sister Susan that his wife had fallen ill on the evening of Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts’ arrival and he called a physician to see her at one in the morning. The physician bled her and administered Laudanum and she was recovering. Livingston received the master in chancery to sell the mortgaged lands at auction. He bid up to the amount of the debt and then an agent of John Brown bid something over Livingston. Brown became the purchaser and was going to deposit the money in the Court of Chancery. Livingston had to acquire an order from the Chancellor to the Master to pay the funds to him before he could receive it. Hoped the agent paid the money into court, otherwise, Livingston would either have to take the lands for debt or have them sold over again. Supposed Susan would rather have income than land but requested she let him know her wishes. Also discussed Susan’s plans for the Philadelphia lot and Morris’s Land, and enclosed an extract respecting a bill.
Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, January 8, 1799

Philip Livingston
1799-01-08

Philip Livingston wrote from New York, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Livingston informed Susan that if he received the Chancellor’s Order, he had some hope that he would get to touch the money that was owed by John Brown. He asked Susan to respond to his last letter and let him know where she wished to invest her portion. If she needed money, Livingston reiterated that Susan should not hesitate to ask him for it. Mr. and Mrs. R were staying with Livingston and his wife. He wished Susan would stay with them as well. Was unable to procure information respecting the lot that belonged to Peter in Philadelphia nor the shares in Mr. Morris’s and Company. Expected John Laurence, their Senator, to arrive any day. Livingston added a note dated January 9^th where he informed Susan that Greenleaf’s money was not yet paid and he thought John Brown’s agent was shuffling to gain time. As soon as he received the Chancellor’s Order, he would compel him to either pay him or get the Master to give him the deed for the land.

Names mentioned: John Brown, Robert Morris (1734 – 1806), John Laurence (1750 – 1810), James Greenleaf (1765 - 1843)
Philip Livingston to Susan Livingston, January 15, 1799

Philip Livingston
1799-01-15

Philip Livingston wrote from New York, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Livingston informed Susan that he received the Chancellor’s Order to touch the money. After some difficulties with Brown’s agent, Livingston brought the matter to a crisis and threatened to take the land at his bid at the auction unless Brown’s agent paid in cash to the Master in Chancery. Brown offered a mixture of cash and notes and Livingston consented. The Chancellor did not order him in full interest on the debt, but Livingston’s counsel advised him that when the Chancellor came to town, he would be able to obtain it. Livingston accepted Bills of Exchange from LeRoy & Bayard that were drawn by young Wallace and Moses from India payable in London. Livingston mentioned their ship and cargo were fully insured and he expected the cargo to be valuable. With regard to Susan’s money, Livingston was unsure how to advise her and suggested she either put interest upon good security or purchase Bank Stocks. Livingston enquired about Peter’s lot in Philadelphia and Morris’s Land Company to Le Roy and others and he was unable to get information.

People mentioned: Robert Morris (1734-1806), Herman Le Roy (1758-1841), William Bayard Jr. (1761-1826)
Philip Livingston to Susan Livingston, January 25, 1799

Philip Livingston
1799-01-25

Philip Livingston wrote from New York, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Livingston informed Susan that he was taken ill and obliged to remain in bed for three or four days. He settled with John Brown’s agent and received Greenleaf’s debt in cash. Asked Susan how she wanted her money invested, whether in the new loan, other funds, part on interest in the new loan, or part on interest in the land security. Thanked Susan for the recipe for the balm of life. Includes an embroidery pattern drawn on the third page of the manuscript.
Philip Livingston to Susan Livingston, March 1, 1799

Philip Livingston
1799-03-01

The following document is a receipt of accounts between Philip Livingston and Susan Livingston. Includes National Bank Shares.
Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, March 27, 1799

Philip Peter Livingston
02-27-1799

Philip Livingston wrote to Susan Kean, his sister, address not included. He wrote that he was still unwell, but had hoped Susan would have called on his wife, Cornelia Livingston. A broker had reached out to him about land in South Carolina and said that if Susan understood the information and thought it was good they would invest. He also mentioned the South Carolina war debt that was partially held by LeRoy and Bayard.
A. Mayo to Susan Kean, May 25, 1799

A. Mayo
1799-05-25

A. Mayo wrote from Richmond, Virginia to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey (addressed “I hope in New York but perhaps in Elizabethtown”). Mayo informed Susan that Mr. Ralph Wormeley of Rosegill, Virginia was en route to Boston with his son and would be staying in New York for a short period of time. If Susan was in town, he asked that she introduce Wormeley to the best people in the city. Wormeley was a gentleman and came from a distinguished family in Virginia.

People mentionedL Ralph Wormeley, Peter Kean, and Edward Mayo
George Meade to Susan Kean, July 29, 1799

George Meade
1799-07-29

George Meade wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey.

Meade informed Susan that he had not written to her in a while concerning the watercourse. Mr. Willing proposed that this business be referred to three indifferent people, he had given Mr. Willing and Dr. Rush 25 people to choose from. Dr. Rush refused and said a legal decision needed to be made. If Susan had her yard properly leveled, the water from Meade’s yard would pass through Susan’s yard into the watercourse. Meade could not raise his yard because of the damage his house already endured.

People mentioned: Mr. Willing and Dr. Benjamin Rush
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, August 10, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
08-10-1799

Julian Niemcewicz in New York, NY wrote to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, NJ. He began the letter by apologizing to Susan for not speaking with her before his departure, but had hoped to make it up to her by sending this dispatch out as soon as he could. His first order of business upon making it to the city was inquiring about the death of a friend. He claimed that he was planning to meet with a lady from "the Havannas" (most likely the area of modern day Cuba) who had saw Julian's friend three days before he passed away. Additionally, he informed Susan on the various people he had the opportunity of meeting with and ended the letter by asking if she had found a house to purchase yet.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, August 14, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
08-14-1799

Julian Niemcewicz in New York, NY wrote to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, NJ. In this letter he informed her on the various people he had met with and updated her on gossip pertaining to certain individuals. Additionally, he left a postscript message at the bottom of the page which explained how he had exchanged some books and acquired some titles Susan would be interested in.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, July 17, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
07-17-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote to Susan Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He was extremely concerned about her health and explained how if he could not find a companinon to take the trip with him up to Niagra he would come to back to see her in New Jersey.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, July 8, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
07-08-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from Philadelphia, PA to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, NJ. He explained how he was feeling uneasy after recieving news that Susan was unwell in the last letter she sent him. In addition, he had not heard from his family in Europe for sometime now and it was weighing on his conscious a great deal. At the end of the letter he wrote about his growing love for nature and how the more time he spent there the more he started to dislike the cities.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, June 17, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
06-17-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from an unspecified location in lower New Jersey to Susan Kean, in Elizabethtown, NJ. Susan had experienced a loss of a friend and much of the first page pertained to this as Julian tried to consolidate her with his kind words. The next two pages dealt mostly with the travels he embarked on and planned.

Places mentioned: Philadelphia, Havana, Elizabethtown

People mentioned: Mr.Boudinot, Mrs. Perovany, Elias Dayton, Peter Kean
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, May 28, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
05-28-1799

Julian Niemcewicz in Philadelphia, PA wrote to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, NJ. He explained to Susan how he spent much of his time in the morning and evenings collecting various plants. Also, he discussed how he found species of plants along the bank of the Delaware River that were not present in Philadelphia since the cattle there destroyed much of the vegetation in and around the city. Later in the letter he informed Susan that he was considering taking a trip up to Canada, however, if the paperwork proved to make it too difficult, he would settle with just going to Niagara instead. Additionally, he apologized for not writing back to Susan's son, Peter, and sent his best wishes to some of their mutual friends back in Elizabethtown.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan kean, November 23, 1799

Julian Niemcewicz
11-23-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from Rose Hill, NY to Susan Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. Julian and Susan's son, Peter, traveled together so he began with details pertaining to their most recent voyage. While in New York City Julian explained how he had given Peter immense amounts of freedom to explore on his own. He informed Susan that some of his friends wished for him to stay a few more days longer, but he preferred to come back to Elizabethtown by Monday to see her once again and bring Peter home.
Julian Niemcewicz to Peter Kean, August 10, 1799

Julian U. Niemcewicz
08-10-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He explained that he had forgot his keys after leaving town in a hurry and requested if Peter could retrieve them. More specifically, he told Peter the keys would be found in the pocket of his nankeen jacket. While Julian's location is not specified from this letter, his whereabouts can be narrowed down to the southern New Jersey area from the writings in his memoirs, Under Their Vine and Fig Tree.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, February 2, 1799

Julian U. Niemcewicz
02-02-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, NJ. In the letter he discussed how his day was spent and informed Susan of the various individuals he visited. Additionally, he explained how he had a "sleepless night on account of mosquitoes."

People Included: General Hamilton, Henry Brockholst Livingston, Mrs. Caradeux, Mrs. Church.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, March 4, 1799

Julian U. Niemcewicz
03-04-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, NJ to Susan Kean, addressed to New York, NY. Julian had stayed back in New Jersey while Susan handled business affairs and mingled in the city. He informed her on his short visit to Philadelphia where he met with friends and gave her an update on Peter who was doing very well. The letter ended with Julian asking Susan if the "nonsensical babblings about ghosts" had come to an end yet.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Kean, May 28, 1799

Julian U. Niemcewicz
05-28-1799

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from Philadelphia, PA to Susan Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. In the letter he informed Susan on the individuals he had crossed paths with and elaborated on his living situation while staying in the city. He anticipated that he would leave Philadelphia by July and told Susan he would "make some stay at home, and you know my home is Elizabethtown." Additionally, at the end of the letter Julian had asked Susan to write her friends in New York City to see if they could purchase various Carl Linnaeus titles such as, Species Plantarum, Genera Plantarum and Philosophia Botanica.
Fanny Otto to Susan Kean, September 23, 1799

Fanny Otto
1799-09-22

Fanny Otto wrote from Berlin, Germany to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey (addressed to Mrs. Ricketts in Elizabethtown). Fanny discussed the long lapse in correspondence between her and Susan (Fanny was the second wife of Louis Guillaume/William Otto). Mr. and Mrs. Laforest and Mrs. Petry vouched for Fanny’s honest sentiments of friendship towards her. She and Mr. Otto were well and Eliza was very tall for her age. She was spending time with her sister in Paris and had masters of many kinds including in music and drawing. Fanny’s younger daughter Sophie was a redhead full of French vivacity. Fanny had been separated from Otto for 14 months and had recently reunited with him in Berlin. The public newspapers may have informed Susan of Otto’s political situation.
Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, April 1, 1799

Jessey Perovany
1799-04-01

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey missed a visit from Mr. Niemcewicz. Asked Susan to let him know that she had to step out for important business and therefore missed his visit. Expected to see him when he returned to Philadelphia. Jessey planned on leaving the continent next month to join her husband in Havana. She also expected to give birth at any moment. Enquired about Peter and asked Susan to tell him she would write him from Havana. Mr. Perovany arrived safely at his destined port. Jessey added additional text dated May 1 where she informed Susan she gave birth to a boy. He had already gotten over smallpox. She received a letter from Mr. Perovany who offered his best respects to Susan. The money Susan lent Jessey would be remitted a short time after she got established in Havana.

People mentioned: Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz and Peter Kean.
Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, February 2, 1799

Jessey Perovany
1799-02-01

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey worried Susan considered her an ungrateful human being however, she was not to be blamed but pitied. For a long time, she was unable to collect her ideas and could not bring herself to write. As soon as Mr. Perovany recovered from his second illness, he prepared for his departure to Havana. He left the Tuesday prior. Jessey’s mind had been tortured with worry that this may have been the last time she saw her husband. Jessey added additional text dated January 10 and claimed it had been a long time since she wrote the above and had not written anyone in months, including her mother. At the moment, she was indisposed but imputed that to being pregnant. She had no desire to have any more children, especially if she had the misfortune to lose her companion. Mr. Perovany had the greatest probability of making money in Havana and Jessey planned to join him in May accompanied by a noble friend in whose care Mr. Perovany left her. Her friend did everything in his power to detain Mr. Perovany until they could all travel together but Mr. Perovany was too prudent to listen. She closed her letter quickly on account of being sick.
Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, June 2, 1799

Jessey Perovany
1799-06-02

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey was happy to hear that Peter made progress in French. She meant to write to him but her child had been sick with a severe cold that she attributed to being bathed in cold water. Planned to leave for Havana with Mr. Perovany. The only foreigners who had been received well in Havana were Perovany and the Princes of Orleans. Everybody advised Mr. Perovany to open an academy and Jessey also planned to open a school. She worried her money would not arrive in Havana and asked Susan if she could borrow money until she was settled.
Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, June 27, 1799

Jessey Perovany
1799-06-27

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey apologized for her last request as it would grieve her exceedingly to have offended Susan. Planned to set sail in a few days. Her spirits were low and it was hard for her to write. Jessey learned Spanish so she could communicate with Havana locals.
Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, November 25, 1799

Jessey Perovany
1799-11-25

Jessey Perovany wrote from Havana to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Perovany feared she did not receive her pardon for a request she made although it was with the best of intentions. She discussed a quarrel between her and a Spanish gentleman she had already given Susan an account of. They traveled together en route to Havana but stopped in Providence. Perovany pursued the remainder of the voyage alone on board an “old rotten Spanish schooner.” She had a baby boy and asked Susan to not tell her mother anything as she would “go down to the grave with sorrow” and her “old Calvinist friends” would hate and despise her. Perovany’s baby boy looked just like his father but had his mother’s eyes. The fifty dollars Susan lent was remitted three months prior as a bill of exchange of one hundred and fifty dollars, the one hundred for Perovany’s mother. She and Mr. Perovany extended their compliments to Mr. Niemcewitz. Satin sold in Havana extremely well and Perovany purchased a black one for church that cost sixty dollars. To be in fashion one must have had a massy bracelet of Spanish gold worn on the middle of the left arm, a chaplet of the same metal, and a superb fan that was valued at about two hundred dollars. Then, a lady entered church, kneeled, and sat on a fine carpet flat on the ground. Extended well wishes to Peter and mutual acquaintances.

People mentioned: Julian Niemcewicz and Peter Kean