Letter from William H. W. Barnwell to Hetty Barnwell describing the "ladies" of Litchfield, Conn. and inquiring about news in Beaufort, SC. June 21, 1826.
Sarah Ann Marshall writes her aunt with the family news from Cheraw. She reports that many people in the area have been sick, including family members, though most have recovered.
Nathaniel Heyward writes to his mother from college in Princeton, New Jersey. He thanks her for the shirts she sent and requests some good cotton or silk stockings which are "difficult to be got in Princeton." He mentions a carriage accident involving his aunt and his desire to visit Philadelphia for vacation. 4p.
V. [possibly Virginia Wilkinson Belin] discusses with a dear friend the importance of applying the mind when reading, as opposed to letting the mind wander
In a letter to his mother from Princeton, New Jersey, Nathaniel Heyward writes at length about the death of a local friend and acknowledges receipt of $400 dollars he is to split with his brother for expenses. 4p.
William H. W. Barnwell, from Laurel Bay Plantation, writes to friend Edgar Day in Catskill, New York. After 4 years without correspondence, Barnwell apprises Day of his marriage, the birth of his first child and his religious conversion during a revival in Gillisonville, SC. He also speaks of forming a local temperance society and hopes to establish "one upon my plantation among my Negroes." January 18, 1832.
An addendum to a longer letter, in which the writer praises Willis for keeping faith in God. The writer also states that Henry has a "lady-love" who is said to be a fine young lady, and rich.
Writing to Edgar B. Day, William H. W. Barnwell discusses his religious thoughts including the notion that freeing slaves from the bondage of sin is more important than freedom itself. April 24, 1832.
In a letter to his mother from London, William Manigault Heyward inquires about other family members including his brothers "Nat", Joseph, Arthur and Charles and sisters Ann and Elizabeth. He comments vividly about the social scene in London and admits after seven months he has wearied of it, having "been to so many balls, events, concerts, dinner parties, plays, operas, masquerades, etc." He mentions socializing in London with several prominent Charleston families including Pinckney, Middleton, Izard and Rutledge. He also describes firsthand the events surrounding the arrest of radical MP Francis Burdett, who was famously imprisoned in the Tower of London for libelling the House of Commons, even participating in the protests outside Burdett's house "to satisfy my curiosity and see what a London mob is." 8p.
