Description:

MCKEAN FAMILY LETTERS (5)
Offered here is an archive of five letters sent from LEVI MCKEAN to his distant cousin ELIZABETH MCKEAN, (1844-1912) wife of THOMAS MCKEAN, great-great grandson of the signer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas McKean. The letters were penned in 1862 and 1863, with the first and longest letter, 22pp., focusing on the history of the McKean family. In part: ‘...your grandfather has said to several of my friends that he had relations in New Hampshire. And your father has said to me, that there was an understanding, that the two families were connected but how was not understood...The...knowledge that we have of the name of McKean is after the assassination of Sharp the Bishop of Saint Andrews and during the...military execution that followed that event...Was the killing of the Bishop of Saint Andrews murder? If the examinant was ambitious of a crown or martyrdom he would answer no...soldier...William McKean...with a party to forage during the siege, and fell...the enemy...thrown into a ditch and left...nothing left to cover himself with, but the old hat which the plunderer who had taken his, had thrown away as worthless. With this only garment he found his way into the city. We have now come to what should be written history for my great grandfather when the above event took place was 23 years old...David Cargill, Annis Cargill...the offspring of that marriage was John McKean my grandfather...my father and his brother were full blooded McKeans...James and John McKean left in Ireland one or two brothers, but I believe the better opinion is but one and that brother was the grandfather of Governor McKean...I will now give you the history of James known to the tradition of the country as Justice McKean...James and John...were well off and the Reverend James McGregor had married their sister...From their wealth and influence became the leaders of the expedition, that sailed...in five ships for Boston...But could not point out any place where they could settle together in one place...at the time of the embarkation John McKean sickened and died having...three sons and a daughter who was my excellent grandmother. On board of one of the five ships was James McKean...arrival it was late in the Autumn 1718...suffered everything but death during the winter...yet could not give up the idea of their little colony...applied to the governor of New Hampshire who agreed to give him the title to the soil of the country...to be called Londonderry...'. Levi goes on to describe the professions, marriages, and demeanors of his immediate relations. He adds a lengthy postscript, in part: ‘...I hope we shall hear from you again. For I assure you that nothing I my life has given me more pain then after making an agreeable acquaintance to part with them...'. The remaining four letters discuss various family matters, one letter mainly on the loss of the step-mother to Levi's grandson and another largely on Greek and Roman history. The letters bear some light expected staining and tears with minimal paper loss at the corners. Overall, very good.

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August 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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