Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about a washing machine he has purchased for her and includes a recipe for soap. He also informs her of a calf he is sending via his servant "Aleck" and tells her to "let the negroes know that if it is missing, I will have every one on the plantation punished." 1859.
Undated letter, ca. 1861, from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell mentions his distaste for "soldiering" and asks his mother to send "Moses" back to him writing, "he has had holiday enough." ca. 1861.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to James B. Heyward concerning granting power of attorney to satisfy some mortgages while one of the parties involved is in Charleston. Mortgages include several slaves and Fife Plantation. 2p. October 8, 1863.
Mortgage for personal property between Susan S. Keith, William Henry Heyward and James B. Heyward using a slave named "John" as collateral. 3p. August 7, 1863.
Christmas day letter from James B. Heyward back at Combahee to Maria Heyward in Columbia. In his letter, James is reflecting on the dire situation and the bleakness of their future believing soon "it will all be over and we shall be reduced to a poverty irretrievable." He struggles with what to do with his slaves given the eventual "scarcity of food" and "depreciated currency." He intends to leave the majority at his plantation but expects to bring up to Columbia "John's wife so as to take from him that temptation to running off." He writes that he will also bring "Mary if she will leave her daughter Molly...I don't value Mary so much as to saddle myself with the support of Molly." 10p.
Pages from a larger volume with slave names, births, and deaths. The incomplete volume lists scores of slaves from unnamed plantation(s), including the births and deaths of their children. 20p.
Letter from Catherine Osborn Barnwell to mother with family news from Beaufort. Included is a note from her younger brother, Charles Mathews Barnwell, written with the assistance of Catherine.
