A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on his friendships, behavior, remaining honorable, John Ball Sr. suffering from a fever, Captain McNeil of the ship "The Eliza" being taken by the French on a voyage to London resulting in the deaths of seven or eight passengers, a sickness spreading around the country, and yellow fever in Boston.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College discussing John's arrival at school, a spread of fever in the country, the burial of "Mrs. Crips," the poor health of "Neighbor Latham" and sending the enslaved woman Polly to help Latham.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing "the sickly season," the health of the family, those suffering from the "prevailing fever" also referenced as yellow fever or "black vomit," the conditions of the rice and cotton crops, the Regiment of Artillery, and an inquiry into the parties John attends at school.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, John Ball Sr. suffering from a fever, family matters, the state of Jane Ball's horses, the enslaved man Peter her footman, an oration by Doctor William Reid at St. Michaels and a shipment of "hyacinth roots" and "darksupur suds."
A letter from John Ball St. at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing an invitation for Captain Tilden to visit, the Charleston races, a leak under the flood gate at the mill, and Brigadier General W. Washington appointed to a command in the federal army resulting in numerous miliary promotions including that of John Ball Sr. as Major of the 2nd Battalion.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the severe winter and return of spring, leaving the country for the city, the governor "issuing proclamations for the vessels performing quarantine" due to fever, family matters, Newport, Rhode Island as a summer residence and the drowning of Mrs. John Gaillard, her husband and child while crossing the Santee River.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Jane Ball suffering from finger pains, Uncle Bryan suffering from "fall fever," and a request for a list of John's expenses at school.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing family matters and business.
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on not hearing from their son, inviting Captain Tilden to the plantation, and the suspension of Captain Cochran and "the brig deemed unfit "for the service required, & and the Brig General Pinckney built by Wm. Pritchard taken into service. The letter concludes by discussing a leak in the mill that has damaged business.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the weather, John Ball Jr.'s "religious & moral virtue," an upcoming review for the Berkeley County regiment, Mr. Calef suffering from a sprained ankle and gout, the finished construction of "the house on the hill" at Hyde Park Plantation, and Maurice Simons taking on the role of "midshipman" for the service.
