Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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John Kean Appointed Guardian of Peter Philip James Kean, July 1, 1791

Orphans Court of Philadelphia
07-01-1791

The Rule of the Orphans Court in Philadelphia, PA, appointed John Kean as guardian of his minor son, Peter Philip James Kean. It was witnessed by Lewis Weiss, William Coats, and Jacob Weaver, motioned by William Brandford and signed by William Nichols. Peter is entitled to personal property and the ruling allows that property to be disposed of for the use or benefit of Peter.
Jacob Read to John Kean, November 14, 1791

Jacob Read
11-14-1791

Jacob Read wrote from Charleston, SC, to John Kean, addressed to Philadelphia, PA, Commissioner of the Accounts of the U.S. It included an additional page labeled Memorandum of Monies Received for John Kean, with names and amounts.

Read updated John on his accounts in South Carolina. Last Friday, Edward Rutledge filed a Bill in Equity against John Kean regarding Grove and Lavien. Read wanted instructions from John Kean about the matter. Rutlege thought John Kean might obtain a liberal compromise regarding Shubrick the Elder and Younger. Read returned from Beaufort Circuit Court where he obtained judgement on cases.

Names included: John Faucheraud Grimke, Aggnew T. Pritchard, the Grayson's (who won by the negligence of the Sheriffs), General Pinckney, Jonathan Rutledge, Pyke, William Jason Ferguson, Jason Ferguson, David Mobil, and Robert Portious.
Jacob Read to John Kean, October 14, 1791

Jacob Read
10-14-1791

Jacob Read wrote to John, addressed to Philadelphia, PA, One of the Commissioners of Accounts of the U.S., via [illegible ship], Captain Art.

Jacob wrote about certificates. Names included: Bowman, McEvers, [William] Stephens, [John Faucheraud] Grimke, Colonel John L. B. [illegible], Tubly, and the widow.

In the postscript, Jacob said his brother, George Paddon Read, will visit Philadelphia and visit John.
John Rutherfurd to Susan Kean, October 29, 1791

John Rutherford
10-29-1791

John Rutherford wrote to his cousin, Susan Kean, no address but likely in Philadelphia, PA. John Rutherford approved Susan's husband, John Kean, to use his name if he thought it would be helpful. He also suggested John Kean use other names since John Rutherford was not well known in that area.
William Stephens to John Kean, August 11, 1791

William Stephens
08-11-1791

William wrote to John, no address. William said few people in Georgia want subscriptions to the National Bank and gave his reasons. He had no update on John's lands in Georgia. He said, "no persons with slaves set down amongst us." People who moved from South Carolina went to Florida.

Names and topics included: British Debts, an Act of Confiscation, said of old Brailsford, bond to Portoens [?], Mr. Kegal [?], William Deucaux, William Greenwood, Judge Hayward, and Peter Lavien and Company, Joiner, Channing, President George Washingtons Southern Tour of 1791, Oliver Bowen, Governor Bullock, Mrs. Mills (appreciated how John helped her son when he traveled north for school), Box Lavien and Company, Samuel Grove, Peer Lavien, Box, Davies, Shubrick, Governor Wayne, General Jackson, and Colonel Wylly.
William Wilkie from John Faucheraud Grimke on behalf of John Kean, April 15, 1790

William Wilkie
04-15-1791

William Wilkie received a payment from John Faucheraud Grimke to use for the purchase of Indents for John Kean.
Thomas Willing to John Kean, October 29, 1791

Thomas Willing
10-29-1791

Thomas wrote to John, no address, but located in Philidelphia, PA from context. The Bank Directors appointed John Kean as cashier of the U.S. Bank [First Bank of the United States] today. The salary was $2,700. Thomas invited John to meet the Board at City Hall the following week. He was the first President of the First Bank of the United States.
Unknown to John Kean, April 21, 1790

04-21-1790

This is an update on the settling of State Debts. The following states have been examined: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Georgia, and parts of Rhode Island. North Carolina and Virginia are still under examination.
William Cooke to John Kean, January 23, 1790

William Cooke
01-23-1790

William wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York, care of Messrs Ludlow and Gould. William requests interest for an incomplete payment John made in 1782.
William Elliot to John Kean, June 9, 1790

William Elliot
06-09-1790

William wrote to John, c/o Joseph Clay Jr. in New York, to update John on the weather and agriculture onat John's plantation on Paris Island, SC during the fall and winter seasons. He includes details about indigo, corn, and potatoes, and the weather. Lightning struck a church steeple. William's Uncle Robert attended the State Convention in Columbia where the South Carolina State Constitution was revised. The parishes are divided. Names include Mr. Wilcox, Sam (who manages John's land), Dr. Cuthbert, Mrs. Elliot, and young William.
William Elliot to John Kean, October 23, 1790

William Elliot
10-23-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to Philadelphia, about the state of John's plantation. The was an equinoctial storm (tropical storm) in mid-September that damaged indigo crops. Sam is managing the plantation. William suffered from "smach" fever for weeks. Robert Barnwell expects to be elected to Congress. Dr. Stuart will no longer rent John's house in Beaufort.
John Faucheraud Grimke to John Kean, April 2, 1790

John Faucheraud Grimke
04-02-1790

John Faucheraud Grimke wrote from Charleston, SC, to John Kean, address not included. Grimke completed his index and thanks Kean for sending the book to [illegible name]. He is referring to Public Laws of the State of South Carolina (Philadelphia, 1790). The Pennsylvania Constitution arrived and he will read it. He describes the new State House in Columbia, SC.

Included: Meeting of the Cincinnati, General Knox, A.B, P.B., Sons of Hibernia, and Jacob Read.
John Faucheraud Grimke to John Kean, February 20, 1790

John Faucheraud Grimke
02-20-1790

Grimke wrote to John Kean, addressed to New York via Captain Tillinghunt [?], Sloop Lady Haley. He has a great deal to say, in a philosophical and roundabout way, including some gossip. Topics include: printer in Philadelphia, National Expenditure and Revenue (a Mr. -- grossly miscalculated information), Hamilton's Report reached South Carolina, warm winter weather, Continental Oaths (refusal), creating laws, state debt, Congress, and acting as deputy adjutant general of the Southern Department, and it is race week. Names included: Lady and Knox, E. Rutledge, Barnwell, Izard, Smith, Tucker, Gernal Howe, General Lincoln, and Major Hyrne.
John Faucheraud Grimke to John Kean, June 13, 1790

John Faucheraud Grimke
06-13-1790

Grimke wrote to John, no address but presumably in New York. Grimke was en route to Newport, Rhode Island. He enclosed a bill of exchange for $700 and needed John to deposit the money so he will have access to it when he gets to New York.

Names included: Andrew Craigie, Leonard Bleecker, and Hazlehurst.
William Irvine to John Kean, September 7, 1790

William Irvine
09-07-1790

William wrote to John, addressed to Mr. Ricketts near Elizabethtown, NJ. William wanted to see John but was informed John wasn't in New York. John used the address page to make addition notes.
Draft to the Speaker of the House from John Kean, April 29, 1790

John Kean
04-29-1790

This is a draft, by J.K. and J.T.G., from the Office of Accounts, to "The Honorable, The Speaker of the House of Representatives," (possibly Johnathan Trumbull Jr. who was elected Speaker on April 27, 1790) about their conclusion of the settlement of state debts.
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 Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, NJ. He is requesting Susan's advice on purchasing bank shares and stock on her behalf. He also mentions Commissioners in Paris.
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 [?].