Kean, John, 1756-1795

John Kean (1756 – May 4, 1795) was an American merchant, banker and member of the Continental Congress from South Carolina who was the first in a long line of American politicians from his family. He notably served as a Delegate to the Congress of the Confederation and as the first cashier of the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia.

Born in Charleston in the Province of South Carolina, Kean was raised in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Kean apprenticed with his stepfather's business partner, Peter Lavien, learning business and bookkeeping. By the time of the American Revolutionary War, Kean was a prominent merchant in his home state of South Carolina. During the War, he served as deputy paymaster of the South Carolina Militia under paymaster Daniel de Saussure. Kean was taken prisoner during the Siege of Charleston in 1780 by General Sir Henry Clinton. Kean was detained as a prisoner of war at sea, along with de Saussure's son, Henry William de Saussure, where Kean was confined aboard for several months leading to his development a respiratory disease. Upon his release, Kean was appointed a member of the commission to audit accounts of the Revolutionary Army by General Washington.

Kean served as a delegate for South Carolina in the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1787, advocating for ratification of the United States Constitution at South Carolina's ratifying convention. After General Washington became the first President of the United States, he appointed Kean cashier of the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia following that body's 1791 chartering. John Kean died in Philadelphia from the respiratory disease he developed during the Revolution. He was interred in that city's St. John’s Churchyard.