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Susan U. Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz, unaddressed. Relieved to receive Julian’s long letter and that he arrived safely over the perils of sea voyages. Thanked him for the pins, taper candlestick, the Wedgwood Ware, and the Old English Baron. The taste displayed in choosing each article was great and the transportation was attended with very good fortune, only a cream ladle was broken. If Julian returned by way of England, Susan asked him to purchase 4 dishes of handsome shapes and 2 cream and sugar bowls, but only if it was perfectly convenient to his finances. She also requested a set of wine glasses, 4 pint and 2-quart decanters, 4 water carofts (carafes), 4 urns with covers for pickles or sweetmeats, tumblers to match the other articles, and 18 silver-bladed dessert knives. Respecting a house, Susan could not answer. She told many people that she wanted to dispose of her and Julian’s home in Elizabethtown but no one offered to take it. In terms of friend and domestic concerns, Susan informed Julian that the troops of the Barracks had been orderly and that her generals and forces had been kept quietly in their quarters. Tom behaved peaceably though he required a strict commanding officer. He showed a strong disposition to be out of quarters after Susan’s bedtime and she found it expedient to place him at the head of the stairs to prevent the enemy’s attacking the chamber door. Phil was a very good officer but talked too much. Madam Betty had full power to quit the service and a discharge was signed but, according to Susan, Betty knew her own interest too well to accept the discharge and she was fully determined to bring 1 or 2 recruits to join the corps. In the civil department, Polly refused to leave her situation until Julian returned. Susan suggested that Julian choose a wine with the help of Mrs. Otto and requested more items including plain neat shoes made of silk and leather, a glass lanthorn, and household linen for the table and beds. Mentioned their friends Mrs. Bell, Mr. Ricketts, Phil Livingston, and Mrs. Livingston. Peter was determined that no boy would understand their language or arithmetic more than him and felt that he was ready to attend college in the Autumn. Desired Mitchel to procure the best kind of wood to build a carriage with. With Peter’s care, the horse was almost cured of the heaves.

People mentioned: Mr. and Mrs. Otto, Mrs. Bell, Mr. Ricketts, Philip Livingston, Mrs. Livingston, Mr. Rutgers, and Henry Gahn.

This letter refers to servants Tom, Philip, Betty, and Polly.

Author/Creator

Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, formerly Susan Livingston and Susan Kean (1759-1833)

Recipient

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz (1758-1841)

Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz (1758-1841)

Creation Date

1802-11-18

Creation Date

11-18-1802

Document Type

Manuscript

Location

Elizabethtown, New Jersey

Collection

Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)

Inventory Location

Bay 1, Column 2, LHC Series 2

Rights

This collection is open to the public for research use. Copyright remains with Kean University. Credit this material. Personal photographs may be made for research purposes. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to the Special Collections Research Library and Archive at keanscrla@kean.edu.

Publishing Repository

Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University

Susan U. Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, November 18, 1802

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