Liberty Hall Collection 1810s

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William Armstrong to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, September 16, 1816

William Armstrong
09-16-1816

William Armstrong wrote from an unknown location to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He discusses business and banking.
N. Bayard to Peter Kean, May 15, 1816

N. Bayard
05-15-1816

N. Bayard wrote from New York to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. The letter seems connected to business with LeRoy, Bayard & McEvers

People Included: Mr. Duzenbary, Samuel P. Green

Places Included: Crooked Eddy and Kadoshe Brook lots, Hawk lot,
Richard W. Habersham to Peter Kean, March 9, 1816

Richard W. Habersham
03-09-1816

Richard W. Habersham wrote from Savannah to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown,NJ. Captain Jones for Liberty County was interested in buying a 300 acre track of land from Peter in Georgia.

People Included: Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Roberts
Caleb O. Halsted to Sarah Terrill, October 23, 1816

Caleb O. Halsted
10-23-1816

Indenture from Caleb O. Halsted, executor of the estate of Nathaniel Halsted of Elizabethtown, NJ to Sarah Terrill of Middlesex County, NJ. The indenture is for the sale of a 23 year old enslaved woman named Susan for $115.
G. Marolles to Peter Kean, February 28, 1816

G. Marolles
02-28-1816

G. Marolles wrote from New York to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He asked Peter to dispose of his bank shares since he is no longer selling them to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz. The last paragraph of the letter is in French.

People Included: Palmer, Julianna, John
G. Marolles to Peter Kean, May 14, 1816

G. Marolles
05-14-1816

G. Marolles wrote from New York to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. Marolles needed to sell his bank shares in order to help with his monthly expenses and to travel the upcoming summer.
Julian Niemcewicz to Susan Niemcewicz, April 15, 1816

Julian Niemcewicz
1816-04-15

Julian Niemcewicz wrote from Warsaw, Poland to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Julian penned a letter to Susan that he sent a fortnight ago and planned to send this letter through St. Petersburg to the care of their Minister Secretary of State, Sobolewski[?], requesting him to forward it by the first ship that sailed from Warsaw. Julian felt uneasy as he had not heard from Susan and asked her to write to him. Julian suffered from asthma but hoped Susan’s health was good. Planned to take a trip to Lithuania over the summer to see his brother. Julian had his ten-year-old nephew with him who learned his lessons by hearing others repeat them. He ran away from school three times and Julian suspected he would grow up to be a genius or a “good for nothing.” Julian’s great-niece, Princess Radziwiłł was getting married to Count Brinsley. Julian wrote Susan a few days ago requesting she send him a parcel of all kinds of nuts growing in the U.S. such as hickory, walnuts, black nuts, butternuts, and chestnuts, as well as seeds of her best vegetables such as melons, Drum Cabbage, etc. Asked Peter to write a kind letter to the Minister Secretary of State near the Emperor and the King and to include a small parcel of nuts and seeds. Julian looked forward to propagating those useful plants.
Susan Niemcewicz to Catherine Marie Le Cuillier de Beaumanoir, Comtesse de La Forest, circa October 1816

Susan Niemcewicz
circa October 1816

Susan Niemcewicz wrote from Ursino near Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Catherine Marie Le Cuillier de Beaumanoir, Comtesse de La Forest, unaddressed (likely Paris, France). Mrs. De La Forest’s particular accounts of herself and family was highly gratifying. Peter Kean followed Mr. De La Forest’s example in that he attended to polite literature and the amusements of agriculture, which would never improve a gentleman’s fortune in this country. Susan took the liberty of introducing her nephew, Mr. Van Brugh Livingston to Mrs. De La Forest, he had gone out with their Minister Mr. Gallitin. Susan’s heart rejoiced at the happy prospect of the Otto Family in the marriage of their daughter, Eliza. Discussed a Consul General at Philadelphia and the death of General Williams. Discussed further on mutual friends and acquaintances.

People mentioned: Peter Kean, Mr. Gallitin, Eliza Otto, the Otto Family, and Mr. Van Brugh Livingston.
Susan U. Niemcewicz to Seretia Perrin, July 5, 1816

Susan Niemcewicz
1816-07-05

The following document is a receipt between Seretia Perrin and Susan Niemcewicz acknowledging payment was received for the following items; a child’s robe, a ball of cotton, two straw hats, ribbon, and a silk bonnet.
John G. Barnwell to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, March 3, 1815

John G. Barnwell
03-03-1815

John G. Barnwell wrote from Beaufort, SC to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. Susan had written to him previously to express sympathy for the loss of his uncle. He states that he would like to pay off his uncle's bond and asks how Susan would like to receive the funds.

People Included: Robert Barnwell
Thomas S. Grimke to Peter Kean, January, 1815

Thomas S. Grimke
01-01-1815

Thomas Grimke wrote from Charleston, SC to Peter Kean addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. This letter used a cross hatch, or cross writing, technique: the letter was written, then continued with the paper turned 90 degrees, hence doubling the amount of words on the paper available.
Richard Habersham to Peter Kean, June 2, 1815

Richard W. Habersham
06-02-1815

Richard Habersham wrote to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He sent a bill of exchange, not included, for interest on the sale of land in South Carolina.

People Included: Mr. Botton

Places Included: Thicket Tract, Europe, St. Simon
Richard W. Habersham to Peter Kean, August 19, 1815

Richard W. Habersham
08-19-1815

Richard W. Habersham wrote from Savannah, GA to Peter Kean addressed to Elizabethtown NJ. He was concerned about paying the taxes for this year on the Georgia property since it has brought in very little money. He sent best wishes to Sarah Sabina Kean and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz.
Vandervoort & Flandin to V.H. Flandin, August 4, 1815

N. Hempsted and Vandervoort & Flandin
08-04-1815

Receipt from Vandervoort & Flandin, a dry goods store, to V.H. Flandin for 5 1/2 yards of silk levantine. Acknowledgment of payment was made by N. Hempsted.
John V. Henry to Peter Kean, May 5, 1815

John V. Henry
05-05-1815

John V. Henry wrote from Albany to Peter Kean, addressed to Ursino, Elizabethtown, NJ. Harmanus P. Schuyler and John C. Cuyler were working on improvements to Hermitage and requested they be able to make payments in the fall.

People Included: Mrs. Henry, Sarah Sabina Kean, Jacob Morris Kean
Peter Kean to John Rutherford, April 6, 1815

Peter Philip James Kean
04-06-1815

Peter Kean wrote from Ursino to John Rutherford, addressed to Edgerston, NJ to inform him of the birth of his son, Jacob Morris Kean.

People Included: Sarah Sabina Kean, Mrs. Rutgers
Schedule of Peter Kean's Estate, November 9, 1815

Peter Philip James Kean
11-09-1815

A schedule of Peter Kean's estate which showing the value of bonds and property he holds. According to this schedule the combined value of his and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz's estates was $219,000.

People Included: Jacob Drake, Emos Woodwell, Robert Price, George Price, E. Sayres, S. Ward, Robert Barnwell, S. Elliot, William Pope, Palmer, Marolle

Places Included: Moira, NY, Georgia, South Carolina, Union, NJ, Salt Meadow
Peter Kean and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz to Sarah Sabina Kean, July 18, 1815

Peter Philip James Kean and Susan Ursin Niemcewicz
07-18-1815

Peter Kean wrote from Ursino to Sarah Sabina Kean, his wife, addressed to Butternuts, Otsego County, NY. Peter gave Sarah updates about what was going on at home and expressed concern for the children's health. At the end of the letter Susan Ursin Niemcewicz wrote about the children's health and her own brief updates.

People Included: John Kean, Jacob Morris Kean, R. Rutgers, Peggy, Mrs. Symmes (presumably Susan Livingston Symmes), Mrs. R, Kitty, Mr. Kearny, Dr Watts, Watts Family, Marrolles, H. Gillous, Maria, Charles Edwards, John (possibly John Cox Morris), Jacob Morris

Places Included: Bradishs, New York, NY, Newark, NJ
Sarah Sabina Kean to Peter Kean, August 9, 1815

Sarah Sabina Kean
08-09-1815

Sarah Sabina Kean wrote from Butternuts, NY to Peter Kean, her husband, addressed to Ursino. She missed Peter greatly and spent a significant part of the letter describing their son John and how he has grown. She also gave updates on her and her family as well as when she expected to return.

People Included: General Jacob Morris, Mary Cox Morris, John Cox Morris, Jacob Morris, Jacob Morris Kean, John Kean, Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, Catherine Watts, Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Cornelia Livingston, Mr. Fennon, Thompson, Joe, Miss Dishking, Catherine Watts, Mr. and Mrs. Gouverneur Morris, Judge Benson

Places Included: Albany

Notable Quote: "We are in daily expectation of a visit from Judge Benson & Mr & Mrs Gouverneur Morris, the latter I shall not see I am determined not to keep such company, she s without exception the vilest woman I have ever heard of"
Cornelia Livingston to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, January 25, 1815

Cornelia Livingston
01-25-1815

Cornelia Livingston wrote from New York to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, her sister-in-law, addressed to Ursino in Elizabethtown, NJ. She requests that Peter contact Mr. Palmer and enclosed a petition for Peter to sign.

People Included: Peter Philip James Kean, Sarah Sabina Kean, Baby Kean (presumably John Kean JK1814), Mr. Palmer
G. Marolles to Peter Kean, November 24, 1815

G. Marolles
11-24-1815

G. Moralles wrote from New York, NY to Peter Kean, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He requested that Peter transfer 40 shares of the State Bank at Elizabethtown to Susan Ursin Niemcewicz. He also hoped Peter's sons, John Kean and Jacob Morris Kean, had recovered from whooping cough.
A New Jersey Act to authorize Peter Kean to fulfill the last will and testament of Peter Van Brugh Livingston, deceased

New Jersey State Legislature
02-04-1815

An act of the Council and General Assembly of New Jersey authorizing Peter Kean to fulfill the Last Will and Testmanet of his grandfather, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. The act specifically was in regards to property in NJ that was not sold following his death. The act is signed by James Linn, Secretary of the State of NJ and James Parker, , who entered the act into the Records of the Proprietors of East New Jersey at Perth Amboy.

People Included: Philip Peter Livingston, Cornelia Livingston, Charles Ludlow, Wiliam Edgar
Julian Ursin Niemcewicz to Peter Kean, February 12, 1815

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz
02-12-1815

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz wrote to Peter Kean, his step-son, addressed to Elizabethtown, NJ. He congratulated Peter on his marriage, the birth of his son, and on the US securing peace with Great Britain. He wrote that now that the war is over they should be able to communicate more frequently.

People Included: Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, John Kean (1814), John Kean (1755), Sarah Sabina Kean, Mr. Gahn, Maria

Notable Quote: "[The British] have sullies the page of History by thier wanton and savage behavior in Washington"
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz to Peter Kean and Sarah Kean

Susan Ursin Niemcewicz
09-05-1815

Susan Ursin Niemcewicz wrote from Ursino, Elizabethtown, NJ addressed to Peter Kean, her son, at Butternuts, Otsego County, NY. Although just addressed to Peter, the salutation on the letter reads "My dear children" implying the letter was for Sarah, Peter's wife as well. She sent her best to Sarah's family, who they were visiting and remarked on the activity in Elizabethtown as they prepared for a wedding.

People Included: Jacob Morris, Mary Cox Morris, Dr. Watts, Mr. Lawrence, Julia (presumably Julia Lawrence), Lucille, Mr. R, Philip Palmer, Mrs. Mayo, Miss Gibbons, John Kean (JK1814)
Samuel Ogden to Peter Kean, January 20, 1815

Samuel Ogden
01-20-1815

Receipt from Samuel Ogden to Peter Kean for spooling and weaving 26 3/4 yard of broad woolen cloth. The original transaction was done on November 24, 1814 and is addressed Elizabethtown.