Liberty Hall Collection 1790s

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Susan's Letter Book, 1796-1806 and Undated

Susan Kean and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz
between June 1796 and October 1806, and undated

Letters to or from Susan, written in her handwriting, on the business of Estate, Southern properties, and personal correspondence. Susan wrote 40+ letters, more than half from Elizabeth Town and others from New York, Cranes Farm near Elizabeth Town, from her brother's house, and Abyssinia. The date range is between June 1796 and October 1806, spanning the time she was a recent widow and used the last name Kean, and her marriage to Julian Niemcewicz and used the middle and last name Ursin Niemcewicz. Not all letter drafts are dated. Names include Brockholst Livingston, Mr. Armstrong, Mrs. Hylton, Mr. LeRoy, James Lawrence, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Corvaisier (pages 22 and 36), Gustavus Risberg, Robert Barnwell, Judge Grimké, Mrs. Grimké, Otto, Mr. Stevens. Topics include Jamaica, Santes Canal Shares, marriage (page 30), and the lot and house on Walnut Street.
Susan Kean Account Book, 1793- 1801

Susan Kean
July 1793-1801

Susan Kean's book of accounts details property held and money owed primarily from July 1793- April 1799 with the exception of one crossed-out entry from 1801.
Julian Ursin Niemcewicz's Letterbook, 1799-1800

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz
July 11, 1799- June 6, 1800

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz's letter book containing copies of letters to various people between July 11, 1799, to June 16, 1800. Some the letters are in French. Note that this is a large file and may take some time to download.
Desert Service bought of William Greaves, April 30, 1799

04-30-1799

A receipt for a desert service bought by William Greaves. It contains a list of all items purchased, both food and decorative.
LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers to Susan Kean, April 2, 1799

1799-04-02

LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers wrote to Susan Kean at 89 Liberty Street, New York, New York (Captain Armstrong’s). LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers requested Susan inform them of the amount of money she wished to remit to Philadelphia and to whom it should be sent.
LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers to Susan Kean, March 26, 1799

1799-03-26

LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers wrote to Susan Kean at 89 Liberty Street, New York, New York (Captain Armstrong’s). This document is a receipt from LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers confirming Susan’s ninety-eight shares of script in the loan of five million dollars that had an interest of eight percent per annum.
Unknown Person to Julian Niemcewicz, July 24, 1799

1799-07-24

An unknown correspondent wrote to Julian Niemcewitz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. This document is written entirely in French. The unknown correspondent acknowledged their disappointment in not having the pleasure of seeing Julian as they had business to attend to. They were looking forward to seeing their friends in Elizabethtown.
Robert Barnwell to Susan Kean, February 1, 1799

Robert Barnwell
02-01-1799

Robert Barnwell wrote from Beaufort to Susan Kean, address not included. Robert sent Susan some money that he owed her. He also advised her to hire a power of attorney to investigate what happened to the land John Kean owned in Georgia and to get it back into her name.

People Included: Peter Philip James Kean, John Kean, Peter Van Brugh Livingston
George Brown to Susan Kean, June 4, 1799

George Van Brugh Brown
1799-06-04

George Brown wrote from Linlithgow, Scotland to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Brown informed Susan that his regiment with two other Scotch Militia Corps were to encamp in Dunbar, which was thirty miles North East of Edinburgh. Although Brown suggested in a letter to Susan that his regiment would determine in his favor, two Lieutenants could not agree and Brown was therefore passed over for a promotion. Happy to hear of Peter’s progress and requested a letter from him in French. Shared family news and asked about Miss Hilton and Betsey Bayard.
M. Cassinove to Susan Kean, January 29, 1799

M. Cassinove
01-29-1799

M. Cassinove wrote to Susan Kean, address not included. He discussed loans, told her to invest in public stocks in the U.S., and mentioned Mr. Bayton.
Jonathan Coit to William S. Robinson, February 21, 1799

Jonathan Coit
02-21-1799

Cashiers check from Jonathan Coit to Charles Bank and Co for $2000. It is addressed to William S. Robinson and on the back it is signed over to Philip Livingston, addressed to Boradway, New York, NY.
Beaumanoir de la Forest to Susan Kean, March 29, 1799

Beaumanoir de la Forest
1799-03-29

Beaumanoir de la Forest wrote from Paris, France to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Beaumanoir de la Forest was surprised to receive a letter from Susan and was happy that her previous letters were miscarried and not the result of Susan not writing them. Susan’s brother-in-law was living a charming life in the country. Beaumanoir de la Forest shared news on family and mutual acquaintances and mentioned the high cost of education in France. Sorry to hear that every summer Susan was plagued with yellow fever.

People mentioned: Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Linch, Mr. Izard, Lady Temple, Mrs. Macomb, Mr. Macomb and his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimon, Mrs. Dalton, Mr. Huges, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Palliard, Mr. Patry, Susan’s brother-in-law (William Otto), and Peter Kean.
John Faucheraud Grimké to Susan Kean, March 22, 1799

John Faucheraud Grimké
1799-03-22

John Faucheraud Grimké wrote from Charleston, South Carolina to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Grimké acknowledged the receipt of Susan’s letter and informed Susan he and Mrs. Grimké were much obliged by Susan’s kind inquiries. Was encouraged to hear of Peter’s improvement in his studies and encouraged Susan to teach him at an early age to relish the pleasures of literature. Enquired of Mr. Shubrick about a suit and suggested Susan ask Mr. Read about the suit as he was in possession of John Kean’s books.
M. Houstown to Susan Kean, August 3, 1799

M. Houstown
1799-08-03

M. Houstown wrote from New Rochelle, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Houstown informed Susan that she asked Belinda about Violet and she did not know where she lived. Suggested that Susan speak with Lady Kitty as she spoke of Violet. She was on a visit with her daughter at her friends Mr. and Mrs. Rosewelts and did not expect to return home for a few weeks. Afterward, she planned to spend time in Elizabethtown with Susan.
Draft and Math, circa March 1799

Susan Kean
circa March 1799

The following document is a draft in Susan Kean’s hand. She informed an unknown correspondent that she had nine shares in the new loan and asked if they would transmit money to her. Assured the next payment would be made by Mr. Risberg.

The document also has multiple mathematical additions reflecting the amount in shares.

This document is undated.
LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers with Susan Kean, December 31, 1799

Susan Kean
1799-12-31

The following document is a list of accounts with a calculation of interest between LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers with Susan Kean.
LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers with Susan Kean, December 6, 1799

Susan Kean
1799-12-06

The following document is a calculation of interest between LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers with Susan Kean.
Susan Kean to Gustavus Risberg

Susan Kean
1799-09-03

Susan Kean wrote to Gustavus Risberg in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document is a draft of a letter where Susan informed Risberg that she wanted to dispose of her house in Philadelphia and asked him to enquire about prices. The Canal Shares were completed and the interest was already received.
Susan Kean to John Rutherford, August 21, 1799

Susan Kean
1799-08-21

Susan Kean wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to John Rutherford in Trenton, New Jersey. Susan informed her cousin Rutherford that Barnwell’s bonds were canceled and that he discharged them by payment he made to her in May. Asked what kind of receipt she should send him for the bonds. Susan erased another bond based on Rutherford’s advice. Peter was in New York with a supervisor of his education.
Susan Kean to Philip Livingston, October 19, 1799

Susan Kean
1799-10-19

Susan Livingston wrote from Cranes Farm near Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Philip Livingston in Greenburgh, New York. Susan informed her brother Philip that she received a letter from Mr. Stephens (see William Stephens to Susan Kean, September 4, 1799) along with an account of the lands in Georgia. She believed a deed could be drawn from the descriptions provided by Stephens. Susan transcribed Stephens’ letter for Philip Livingston that included the Georgia lands and her tax return for 1799. If she knew where Mr. Reade was, she would enquire with him regarding her business Southward.
Susan Kean to William Dayton & Co., January 28, 1799

Susan Kean
1799-01-28

The following document is an invoice from Susan Kean for Dayton & Co., unaddressed. Susan ordered items in October, November, and December of 1798, and January 1799. Goods include spirits, ribbon, sugar, wood, mace, and nutmeg.
Susan Kean with Philip Livingston, March 21, 1799

Susan Kean
1799-03-21

The following document is a receipt of accounts between Philip Livingston and Susan Livingston. Includes National Bank Shares. This document appears to be a duplicate of “Philip Livingston to Susan Kean, March 1, 1799” but has a different balance.
Thomas Law to Unknown Person, December 14, 1799

Thomas Law
12-14-1799

Thomas Law wrote to an Unknown Person. An extensive letter containing numerous references to many global events and leaders. Law makes references to the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of Germany, and the rising power of the United States. The rest of the letter contains extensive knowledge and opinions of geo-politics all across the world. Law includes excerpts of poetry in his letter.
Herman LeRoy to Susan Kean, April 2, 1799

Herman LeRoy
1799-04-02

Herman LeRoy wrote to Susan Kean at 89 Liberty Street, New York, New York (Captain Armstrong’s). LeRoy informed Susan of the only mode of barring the possibility of forfeiture of her nine shares. Asked for Mr. Risberg’s address in Philadelphia. To enable LeRoy to receive the dividends on Susan’s insurance shares, she needed to empower them prior to her leaving town.
Herman LeRoy to Susan Kean, April 23, 1799

Herman LeRoy
1799-04-23

Herman LeRoy wrote from New York, New York to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. LeRoy received Susan’s letter of the 19th instant requesting a subscription to 50 shares of the Manhattan Company. LeRoy met with Susan’s brother, Philip Livingston since he had no opinion of the Manhattan Company. Livingston subscribed to 1000 shares and informed LeRoy that there was no great risk in taking the 50 shares for Susan. Many mechanics and shopkeepers subscribed but may have difficulty making a second payment.