-
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan U. Niemcewicz, April 2, 1803
Julian U. Niemcewicz
1803-04-02
Julian Niemcewicz wrote from Warsaw, Poland to Susan Niemcewicz, unaddressed. After being deprived of his wife’s letters for three months, he had the pleasure of receiving five of them. Happy to hear Susan, Peter, and their mutual friends and acquaintances were all well. Questioned Susan’s patience with Betty. Claimed that her entire year of work was not sufficient to repay Susan for the trouble and vexation she caused and wished Susan would part with her. Thanked Peter Kean for convincing Susan to not sell Philip and begged her not to part with him. Glad that Susan purchased timber for an addition to their house. Julian was frustrated that Mr. Otto did not respond to his letter as he recently heard that Mr. Otto was no longer going to America. Julian provided detailed accounts of the winter season and weather in Poland. He also met many prominent individuals including Louis XVIII, the Duke and Duchess of Angoulême, L'Abbé Edgeworth the confessor of Louis XVI, and the Archbishop of Rennes. Julian asked Susan to give Tom a dollar in his name if she was pleased with him. Grateful to Polly for remembering him and asked Susan to give her two strings of Liberian Coral that were in his desk. Enclosed a bill of articles he sent to Susan and mentioned other items he sent to her and their friends including Mrs. Belasis and Mrs. Church. Discussed the marriage of Colonel George Augustus Pollen to Elizabeth Primrose Gascoigne.
People mentioned: Peter Kean, Louis XVIII, the Duke and Duchess of Angoulême, L'Abbé Edgeworth the confessor of Louis XVI, the Archbishop of Rennes, Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, Maria Ricketts, Mr. Otto, Mr. Pitcairn, Mrs. Belasis, Mrs. Church, Mr. Henry Gahn, Colonel George Augustus Pollen, and Elizabeth Primrose Gascoigne.
This document also mentions servants and enslaved people named Betty, Philip, Tom, and Polly.
-
Julian Ursin Niemcewicz to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, August 14, 1803
Julian Ursin Niemcewicz
08-14-1803
Julian Ursin Niemcewicz wrote from Bardfeld, Hungaria to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, his wife, in Elizabeth Town, New Jersey. He had been sending and receiving correspondence through Hamburg, however due to the Napoleonic Wars the port was being blockaded. As a result he had not heard from Susan since January. He is visiting Hungaria on advice from his physician and anticipates being home by Christmas. The letter was sent to Samuel Williams in London and he forwarded it to Susan.
Places included: Hamburg, Paris, Hungaria
-
Susan Niemcewicz to James McEvers, December 19, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-12-19
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to James McEvers in New York. Susan informed McEvers that before she received his favor, her son, Peter, had taken charge of his notes and brought them to Mr. LeRoy to have them renewed for her. Her brother, Philip, had been making a dividend from their father’s estate and asked if either McEvers or LeRoy would advise her on how to invest it. On the verso, Susan added a few lines dated January 6, 1804, where she informed McEvers that she meant to thank him for his last mark of attention but she was waiting on an answer from her brother. Discussed dividends and information she received from Mr. Ricketts.
People mentioned: Philip Livingston, Herman LeRoy, and James Ricketts
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, April 14, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-04-14
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz, unaddressed. Susan wrote her last favor to her husband, Julian in haste because she feared she would run out of time to send it. Susan was so elated to receive Julian’s long, detailed letters that she immediately went around to their friends to communicate her joy and to deliver Julian’s kind, obliging remembrances to them. Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts paid their respects to Julian and they constantly toasted to him. Little Sally recognized Julian’s picture and kissed it whenever she saw it. Discussed their mutual friends including the Dayton family. Feared for Julian’s safety and wished he would return with Mr. Otto or the Livingston family. Mr. Robert Kennedy’s family planned to sail for London and Susan requested that Julian meet with them because they would give a full account of everything in New York and their part of New Jersey. Angelica [Schuyler] Church lost her mother, Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler in March of 1803 and had been staying with her father, Philip Schuyler in Albany, New York. Susan continued to go into further detail regarding their mutual acquaintances and friends. Betty added another footman to their establishment and appeared to be attentive and desirous of pleasing Susan. Tom was a good boy although a master’s eye was requisite for him to properly fulfill his duty. Susan gave positive accounts of Philip and Sarah and made note that Polly was still with them and appeared much attached to Susan. Peter endeavored to be a gardener; it was Susan’s wish that Peter imitate Julian in everything except the use of tobacco. Discussed the southern property and disposing of her lands in Georgia. Tried to sell their property in Elizabethtown but did not feel she would be successful as there were many empty houses in Elizabethtown.
People mentioned: Mr. Otto, the Dayton family, Sally, Mariah, the Livingston family, the Kennedy family, the Bellasires family, Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, Mrs. Angelica [Schuyler Church, Mrs. Cruger, Peter Kean, Robert Barnwell
This document refers to enslaved people and servants including Betty, Tom, Philip, Sarah, and Polly.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, April 4, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-04-04
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz in Warsaw, Poland. Susan was thankful that Julian arrived in Warsaw and acknowledged that nine months had lapsed since they had parted. Feared her letters would not reach Julian in Poland. If she was sure Julian would return to America by way of England, she would send him many commissions for books that would be instructive for Peter and some that were useful for her (she required large print). She would purchase many things for a table and house including a set of decanters, tumblers, wine glasses, and jelly and sweetmeat glasses. Informed Julian that he could draw on her at 95 days for payment. Hoped that Dr. Ross’s pills would be serviceable to her. Discussed their mutual friends and business ventures. Peter had a passion for gardening. Her family went on tolerably well, but Betty could not cook and faster when they had company. Rejoiced that Julian found an attentive servant.
People mentioned: Peter Kean, Mr. Otto, William Dayton, Mr. J. Chandler, Mrs. Ogden, and Mrs. Ricketts.
This document refers to enslaved people and servants including Betty.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, July 31, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-07-31
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Ursin Niemcewicz in Hamburg, Germany. Julian claimed that Susan deprived him of a vast deal of pleasure by not sending all the letters she wrote to him. Therefore, she decided to send this one lest the war detained him longer in Hamburg. Encouraged Julian to get passports from the Ministers or Consuls of every nation. Susan had not heard anything about the shawl and amethyst buckle. She sent several letters to Mr. Ghan who had not seen Captain Rollin and Susan did not know if the package arrived, nor had she received information on the trunk that Julian sent. Peter was in Hacketts Town drinking the spring water, which Susan trusted would relieve him of the complaint in his head. Discussed servants Tom, Betty, and Philip. The drought destroyed their garden. Shared news on their mutual friends and correspondents.
People mentioned: Colonel Pollen, The Ricketts Family, The Bellasizes family, Mr. Peter Livingston, Mr. and Mrs. D. Sartev, the Dayton family, Mrs. Carrideaux, Peter Kean, and servants Tom, Betty, and Philip.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, July 4, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-07-04
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz, unaddressed. While everyone in town went to hear the Oration and view the troops parading on the anniversary of American Independence, Susan was considering the holiday from a different point of view. This day marked a year since she and Julian were separated. Did not think Mr. Otto would come to America as last Susan heard he was named Minister to Berlin. Feared that the war would impede Julian from coming home. Discussed goods that Julian sent to her and items she hoped he would procure for her. Susan tried everything possible to sell their house but she was unsuccessful.
People mentioned: Peter Kean, Mrs. Cardeaux, and enslaved people and servants Tom, Philip, and Betty.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, June 1, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-06-01
Susan Niemcewicz wrote to Julian Niemcewicz, unaddressed. Susan was in a state of despair over not receiving a line from her husband, Julian since October. Her spirits significantly lifted, however, upon receiving two of his letters. Julian’s gift of describing his surroundings so vividly allowed Susan to picture everything he experienced in great detail with her imagination. Susan shared news on their mutual friends including Belle and Polly Ramsay’s upcoming nuptials. Susan was gifted a number of valuable items including a Justicia plant and a Hydrangea Hortensias. Hoped Julian made time to meet with Mr. Otto and Mr. and Mrs. De La Forest while he was in Paris. If Susan were in France, she would purchase many pretty things that America could scarcely afford such as grey rabbit fur knit shawls, gloves, knit petticoats, and under waistcoats. Requested Julian purchase books for Peter that would advance his education and a pair of gilt earrings. Susan wished to look smart when her dear husband returned home. Until that time came, she would continue to wear mourning for their father and her widowhood. Trusted that when Julian returned it would inspire them to dress stylishly. Susan feared that some of her letters would miscarry and therefore repeated the same things several times in her letters. She requested Julian purchase silver dinner forks, silver desert knives, English glass, four quart and six pint decanters, four water crofts, four dozen wine glasses, two dozen tumblers, one dozen liquor glasses, and four very small cut dishes for sweat meats as almost everything was destroyed when Susan threw a bride’s dinner for Mrs. Ross.
People mentioned: Belle Ramsay, Polly Ramsay, Mr. and Mrs. Bellasizes, Mrs. Ricketts, Mr. Otto, Mr. and Mrs. De La Forest, Horace Dayton, and Mrs. Ross.
This document also refers to enslaved people and servants including Philip.
This manuscript is torn.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, June 20, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-06-20
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz, unaddressed. Susan concluded her last letter to her husband before she had the chance to tell him something she knew his kind heart would grieve for. The House of Law in New York failed for a considerable amount. The only title she had for their lot was a small piece of paper with a promise that the minors would make a proper deed when they attained full age. Susan referred to additional business concerning her and Julian and shared news amongst their mutual friends. Asked if the servant Julian intended to bring back with him to America knew how to make a few dishes that he and his foreign friends admired. In several letters, Susan desired Julian to procure three or four small patent brass locks for furniture. Feared that it was necessary to keep all kinds of trifles out of Tom’s way for she was sure that several things were improperly gone. Asked for more Wedgewood ware. One of the cream desert tureens and the basket with most of her decanters, glasses, and tumblers broke at the time of the wedding dinner for Sarah Ross. From France, Susan recalled seeing dove-colored rabbit hair shawls and gloves, which would suit her extremely well.
Mrs. Cariderux, Mrs. Angelica Church, Mrs. Cruger, General and Mrs. Gates, The Marrolles and Masons, Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, and Peter Kean.
This document also refers to enslaved people and servants including Tom, Betty, and Philip.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, May 10, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-05-10
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz in Warsaw, Poland. This letter is a copy of the one she sent on the same date [May 10, 1803]. Susan listed items she wished for Julian to procure for her before he returned home to Elizabethtown. The lots that belonged to her father’s estate were being offered for sale at auction in June. Susan thought it would be good property for them to retain but decided to leave it to her brother’s direction. Peter had not yet acquired a fondness for the “dead language” and she feared Julian would not be satisfied with his slow progress. Wished Peter had all kinds of books, maps, etc. Shared news on their mutual family and friends.
-
Susan Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, May 10, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-05-10
Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz in Warsaw, Poland. Susan was at a loss as to where to address her husband, Julian’s letters as it was in all likelihood that he would leave Warsaw before receiving any. Mr. Barnwell wrote that the crops in South Carolina had been so bad that last year it was not possible to obtain anything and send it to New Jersey. Judge Grimke wrote Peter a very kind letter and encouraged both of them to continue as stockholders for the Santee and Catawba Companies. Susan was considering purchasing a second-hand chariot in New York but desired to wait to purchase horses until after Julian returned home. Without a master’s eye, horses were never kept well. Asked Julian to bring home six different sizes of patent locks, two or three good spring hinges, and some of the best door locks. If they were to build a new house, the locks would contribute to their comfort. Susan also requested a few boxes of good glass, gilt earrings, and a set of plate castors with silver rims. She asked Mrs. Kennedy to get her two Wedgewood baskets, four desert tureens, and four round dishes with scalloped edges. Sally McComb was to marry Mr. O. De Peyster. Suggested that Julian enquire for the Honorable Robert Kennedy at the Earl of Castles House in London. In her postscript, Susan mentioned that she went to see the experiments of Dr. De Buke that he made with a boat. He called it the “insubmersible inversible” and it was constructed with four levers that had weights suspended to them. The levers were placed at stem and stern and the boat itself was furnished with a vast deal of cork that was fixed on the sides to keep it buoyant.
People mentioned: Robert Barnwell, John Faucheraud Grimké, Herman LeRoy, William Dayton, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Le Guar, Mrs. Mayo, Mrs. Bellasize, Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, Mr. and Mrs. Dayton, Mrs. Livingston, Lady Sterling, Lady Mary, Lady Kitty, and Dr. De Buke.
This document refers to enslaved people and servants including Tom and Betty.
-
Susan U. Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, February 4, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-02-04
Susan U. Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz in Warsaw, Poland. This marked seven months since Julian was torn from Susan and she feared that five long months remained before she could embrace him. Shared an update on Peter and informed Julian that as Peter’s ideas expanded, he seemed resolved to make himself worthy of being the son of a good man. Informed Julian on news regarding their mutual friends, real estate in Elizabethtown, their livestock and garden, and their servants. The President [Thomas Jefferson] appointed Mr. Monroe [James Monroe] as Minister Extraordinary to Paris. Requested that the books Julian brought to her be good editions so her old eyes would not suffer by reading them.
People mentioned: Peter Kean, Mr. and Mrs. Bellasis, Mr. Campbell, The Dayton Families, Mrs. General Ogden, Colonel Ogden, Moses Austin, Madam Mason, Mr. Morales, Tom (Servant), Betty (Servant), Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Mrs. Angelica Church, and Mrs. Cruger.
-
Susan U. Niemcewicz to Julian Niemcewicz, January 1, 1803
Susan U. Niemcewicz
1803-01-01
Susan U. Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Julian Niemcewicz in Varsavia [Warsaw], Poland. Susan could not let the first day of a year elapse without writing her dear husband in the hopes that he was enjoying every kind of felicity that the season afforded. For two weeks she had been indisposed to write, the cold weather always gave her a “stricture” across her chest. Urged Julian to pay attention to the ship he planned to sail back to America in and to make sure it was not one of the dull failing Dutch ships. Discussed livestock and produce at their farm and the lack of income it produced. Updated Julian on Peter and the hired servants at their home.
-
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz to Julian Ursin Niemcewicz, December 26, 1803
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz
12-26-1803
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabeth Town, New Jersey to Julian Ursin Niemcewicz, her husband. She updates him on their family affair, Peter Kean's education, and local gossip. She also talks at length about the enslaved people they hold, their different temperaments and how they are doing. She hopes Julian returns soon as she does not like doing work and improvements on buildings without his consult.
People included: Herman LeRoy, Philip Peter Livingston, Peter Philip James Kean, Jerome Bonaparte, Colonel Williams, Mr. Masson, Mrs. B, Mariah Richetts, Mr. Ghan, Mr. Hamilton, Charlotte Princess Royal
Enslaved People: Tomas, Philip, Philip's Mother
Places Included: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Warsaw, Hungary, Hamburg
-
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz to Julian Ursin Niemcewicz, November 1, 1803
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz
11-01-1803
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz wrote from Elizabeth Town, New Jersey to Julian Ursin Niemcewicz, her husband. Due to the ongoing Napoleonic Wars she has been unable to receive any of his letters or packages since July and at this point Julian has been gone for 16 months and she worried the war would delay his return. She updates him on what has been happening at home and talks about the Yellow Fever epidemic.
People Included: Captain Armstrong and Mrs. Armstrong, Mr. Ghan, Marquis Family, Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Bellasize, Henrietta on the Hill, Mrs. Rutgers
Notable Quote: "Capt. & Mrs Armstrong have been with us for eight week with their little girl, who has suffered by the whooping cough, happily our little black children have escaped it & my whole family are free from indisposition"
-
G.A. Pollen to Julien Niemcewicz, January 28, 1803
George Augustus Pollen
1803-01-28
G.A. Pollen wrote from St. Petersburgh, Russia to Julian Niemcewicz, unaddressed. Pollen informed Julian that he found his wife and married Miss Gascoigne a few days prior. Asked Julian to present his kindest regards to his kind correspondents in Warsaw, their remembrance of him was most flattering to his vanity. Pollen was naturally inclined to mingle in all sorts of society, which St. Petersburgh afforded him the opportunity of. Detailed he and his wife’s travels to Lake Onya and discussed their mutual friends.
People mentioned: Elizabeth Primrose (Gascoigne) Pollen
-
Gustavus Risberg to Susan Niemcewicz, August 1, 1803
Gustaus Risberg
1803-08-01
Gustavus Risberg wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. A severe indisposition prevented Risberg from waiting on Susan with the enclosed remittance of one hundred and twenty dollars from one-quarter rent from Mrs. Cox and the dividend on Bank and Turnpike Shares. Risberg’s ill health obliged him to request that Susan appoint another agent for her affairs in Philadelphia.
-
Gustavus Risberg to Susan Niemcewicz, December 14, 1803
Gustavus Risberg
1803-12-14
Gustavus Risberg wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Received Susan’s last two letters and regretted to learn that Mr. Niemcewicz had not yet returned. Received the rent and dividends. Risberg was aware that an Agent needed to attend to repairs and payment of taxes as Mr. Simpson would not be able to attend to those objects.
Julian Niemcewicz, Mrs. Cox, Mr. Simpson, and Dr. Benjamin Rush.
-
Gustavus Risberg to Susan Niemcewicz, May 4, 1803
Gustavus Risberg
1803-05-04
Gustavus Risberg wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Risberg enclosed a draft for one hundred and sixty dollars after having paid last years’ taxes. Mrs. Coxe agreed to rent Susan’s house in Philadelphia for another year at the former rent and deferred painting of the two parlors and entry until next August. The sink required immediate repair.
-
Gustavus Risberg to Susan Niemcewicz, November 17, 1803
Gustavus Risberg
1803-11-17
Gustavus Risberg wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Risberg congratulated Susan on the safe return of Julian Niemcewicz. Enclosed a draft of two hundred dollars and hoped it would be agreeable to nominate his successor to her agency in Philadelphia.
People mentioned: Julian Niemcewicz
-
Gustavus Risberg to Susan U. Niemcewicz, March 16, 1803
Gustavus Risberg
1803-03-16
Gustavus Risberg wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Risberg enclosed a note from Mrs. Cox on the sundry repairs she requested on the house she was renting from Susan. Discussed current rates of rentals and the sales of public and private estates.
-
John Robertson to W. Wiston, November 11, 1803
John Robertson
11-11-1803
Shipping receipt for book sent John Robertson to W. Wiston, addressed to Philadelphia.
-
Josiah Smith to Susan Niemcewicz, May 30, 1803
Josiah Smith
1803-05-30
Josiah Smith wrote from Charleston, South Carolina to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Smith received Susan’s favor of the 30th of April which included directions regarding payment to her account. Discussed business pertaining to Susan’s Santee Canal and Catawba Company Shares and mentioned that Judge Grimke left the city with his family for a summer residence in the country.
People mentioned: John Faucheraud Grimké
-
John Kean Estate Catawba Co, March 1803
Charles Tew
1803-03
The following document is John Kean's Estate for the Catawba Company Shares.
-
Jonathan Williams to Susan Niemcewicz, April 22, 1803
Jonathan Williams
1803-04-22
Jonathan Williams wrote from Washington, D.C. to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. The application of W. Mason to be a professor of the French Language at the Military Academy came to his hand in the most pleasing manner as it procured him with the honor of Susan’s remembrance. Could not give an immediate positive response as he was on a journey that would divert his attention for a few weeks however, he did not see any obstacle in W. Mason’s appointment.
People mentioned: W. Mason.
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.