Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, June 2, 1799

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey was happy to hear that Peter made progress in French. She meant to write to him but her child had been sick with a severe cold that she attributed to being bathed in cold water. Planned to leave for Havana with Mr. Perovany. The only foreigners who had been received well in Havana were Perovany and the Princes of Orleans. Everybody advised Mr. Perovany to open an academy and Jessey also planned to open a school. She worried her money would not arrive in Havana and asked Susan if she could borrow money until she was settled.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1608/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, June 27, 1799

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey apologized for her last request as it would grieve her exceedingly to have offended Susan. Planned to set sail in a few days. Her spirits were low and it was hard for her to write. Jessey learned Spanish so she could communicate with Havana locals.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1650/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, November 25, 1799

Jessey Perovany wrote from Havana to Susan Kean, unaddressed. Perovany feared she did not receive her pardon for a request she made although it was with the best of intentions. She discussed a quarrel between her and a Spanish gentleman she had already given Susan an account of. They traveled together en route to Havana but stopped in Providence. Perovany pursued the remainder of the voyage alone on board an “old rotten Spanish schooner.” She had a baby boy and asked Susan to not tell her mother anything as she would “go down to the grave with sorrow” and her “old Calvinist friends” would hate and despise her. Perovany’s baby boy looked just like his father but had his mother’s eyes. The fifty dollars Susan lent was remitted three months prior as a bill of exchange of one hundred and fifty dollars, the one hundred for Perovany’s mother. She and Mr. Perovany extended their compliments to Mr. Niemcewitz. Satin sold in Havana extremely well and Perovany purchased a black one for church that cost sixty dollars. To be in fashion one must have had a massy bracelet of Spanish gold worn on the middle of the left arm, a chaplet of the same metal, and a superb fan that was valued at about two hundred dollars. Then, a lady entered church, kneeled, and sat on a fine carpet flat on the ground. Extended well wishes to Peter and mutual acquaintances. People mentioned: Julian Niemcewicz and Peter Keanhttps://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1628/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, February 2, 1799

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey worried Susan considered her an ungrateful human being however, she was not to be blamed but pitied. For a long time, she was unable to collect her ideas and could not bring herself to write. As soon as Mr. Perovany recovered from his second illness, he prepared for his departure to Havana. He left the Tuesday prior. Jessey’s mind had been tortured with worry that this may have been the last time she saw her husband. Jessey added additional text dated January 10 and claimed it had been a long time since she wrote the above and had not written anyone in months, including her mother. At the moment, she was indisposed but imputed that to being pregnant. She had no desire to have any more children, especially if she had the misfortune to lose her companion. Mr. Perovany had the greatest probability of making money in Havana and Jessey planned to join him in May accompanied by a noble friend in whose care Mr. Perovany left her. Her friend did everything in his power to detain Mr. Perovany until they could all travel together but Mr. Perovany was too prudent to listen. She closed her letter quickly on account of being sick.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1645/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, October 25, 1799

Jessey Perovany wrote from Germantown, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Perovany acknowledged the receipt of Susan’s letter and thanked her profusely for her assistance in lending her money. Charmed to hear Peter was feeling better and informed Susan she was pregnant. Had little information on Shosinsko, and his sudden departure stunned everyone. Appreciated that Susan shared so much information with her in her last letter since she had an antipathy toward writing.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1625/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, May 16, 1800

Jessey Perovany wrote to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey Perovany hoped Peter was making progress with his studies. Rejoiced that Mr. Barbeto returned to Elizabethtown. Discussed education and Latin and suggested that if Susan found that Peter’s studies injured his delicate frame for humanity’s sake, to let him run around. The brave Koseiusko[?] left and his plans were a secret. She and her family planned to move to Germantown soon where they will stay during the summer.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1800s/1110/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, October 1, 1798

Jessey Pervonay wrote from Germantown, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Pervonay informed Susan that she left Mrs. Capron’s three months prior and Capron refused to pay her even though she knew Pervonay was leaving. Mr. Perovany spoke highly of the famous portrait artist John Smart who praised his artistic skills and claimed Italy could not produce a better artist. However, Mr. Perovany could not make any money; they were starving and she was breeding and very sick. Mr. Perovany developed a violent fever but was recovering. He would be leaving for Havana soon for work, which would be a crushing blow to her. She kept her situation a secret and claimed it would be painful for her if certain people were to find out. Spoke highly of Peter and encouraged Susan to make his infant years happy.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1577/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, April 1, 1799

Jessey Perovany wrote from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Jessey missed a visit from Mr. Niemcewicz. Asked Susan to let him know that she had to step out for important business and therefore missed his visit. Expected to see him when he returned to Philadelphia. Jessey planned on leaving the continent next month to join her husband in Havana. She also expected to give birth at any moment. Enquired about Peter and asked Susan to tell him she would write him from Havana. Mr. Perovany arrived safely at his destined port. Jessey added additional text dated May 1 where she informed Susan she gave birth to a boy. He had already gotten over smallpox. She received a letter from Mr. Perovany who offered his best respects to Susan. The money Susan lent Jessey would be remitted a short time after she got established in Havana. People mentioned: Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz and Peter Kean.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1647/thumbnail.jp

Jessey Perovany to Susan Kean, January 1798

Jessey Perovany wrote to Susan Kean in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Perovany informed Susan of Mrs. Capron’s terrible situation. She had recently finished the novel Camilla and was moving on to The Italian. Perovany transcribed one of her favorite parts in the novel. Shared news on family and mutual acquaintances and wrote fondly of Peter. In the postscript, Perovany shared that she was married on New Year’s Day and passed along compliments to Mrs. Armstrong, Miss Ramsay, Miss Gordon, and Mrs. Dayton.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1586/thumbnail.jp