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.
Detailed notebook with lists of slaves and cloth (in yards?) assigned to them at Rotterdam, Myrtle Grove, Hamburgh and Copenhagen Plantations from 1850 -1852. Also includes lists of "Blankets to Infants" and "Blankets to young negroes". 17p.
Receipt of monies received by Susan S. Keith from James B. Heyward as executor/trustee of the estate of Nathaniel Heyward. The receipts mostly depict interest from a bond bequeathed to Susan Keith in the will of Nathaniel Heyward. 30p.
Various receipts from the Heyward and Ferguson families including plantation goods and services, rent, and a Civil War receipt for "permanent labor on fortifications." 32p.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to James Heyward about his travels in Rome. He describes the coliseum and St. Peter's Basilica in detail, writes about attending Christmas mass held by the Pope and comments on what news he has heard about secession talk in America. 8p.
Letter from Ada Henry to sister Lou concerning friends and family in England and India. The letter is undated, although Henry references the recent death of Stonewall Jackson and the troubles in America. The connection to the Heyward or Ferguson families is unclear. 6p.
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.
Booklet with poetry, psalms, and letters copied probably to improve penmanship (some letters found in collection). Dated entries range from 1893-1896. Some signed Marie Hayne Heyward. 84p.
Letter from Sue M. Monroe to Mattie Hayne Heyward detailing how she cared for the graves of the soldiers in the days and years after the Second Battle of Bull Run and that the exact location of her uncle's remains are not known. 7p.
Mostly crosshatch letter from Sarah Ellen Coates to cousin Lorissa about her life in England. The letter is undated and the connection to the Heyward or Ferguson families is unclear. 6p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James was unable to travel to Savannah as planned due to skirmishes at "Coosahatchie." He mentions the death of an "Edward" at the "Church Creek encampment" and bemoans his inability to get news on local troop movements and battles writing "Sunday night the enemy made a raid on the other side of Combahee and I never heard of it until Tuesday. I fear sometimes they may capture me in bed." 6p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Manassas Junction two weeks after the First Battle of Bull Run. He writes "another such blow as that struck two weeks ago, would I think put an end to the war." He writes of bunking with "Dr. Brodie from our state" in "the grand tent sent to Genl B, as he occupies a room in the house." 6p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward in Columbia. James writes Maria about troubles in Savannah and fears the city will fall soon depending "upon the time it will take to reduce the Fort." He continues to mull over the fate of Fife Plantation and its slaves but speaks optimistically about plans for next summer. 8p.
Three receipts for confederate bonds issued to the holder under the "Act to reduce the Currency." All of the receipts are notarized on the reverse and two of them are, in return, transferred to pay taxes. 6p.
Copy of legal proceedings from G.M. Trenholm to James B. Heyward. The proceedings were brought by Colleton County, SC, residents against the Green Pond, Walterboro and Branchville Railway Company and certain county officials. The plaintiffs argue that a ballot authorizing the county government to subscribe to stock in the Railway was irregular and that the "railroad tax" authorized by the ballot to pay for the stock is unlawful. Among several irregularities cited by the plaintiffs is the appearance of non property owners on the petition that allowed the ballot. 40p.
Letter(s) to a Miss Watting (from Elisa ?) in Bombay, India, care of James B. Ferguson. In the letter, written over a period of months in cross-hatch, the author describes Bombay in detail, her social life there and her eagerness to hear of news from America and England. The writer also mentions that, while in Gibraltar, she saw the Union gunboat Chippewa keeping watch on the Confederate cruiser Sumter "as a cat with a mouse." 17p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to cousin Marie (last name?) containing extensive Heyward genealogical information and family anecdotes. Heyward also gives his opinion on marriage between Heyward cousins and its effect on the children's intelligence. 8p.
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.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney discusses the recurring problem of obtaining a steady supply of labor for Dean Hall and sends Ferguson several bushels of "Fripp" cotton seed. 6p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall. McBurney alludes to problems Ferguson is having with the lack of good labor and discusses cotton and rice options for the next planting seasons. 6p.
Legal complaint between William C. Bee and Godfrey Blake concerning the adjudication of several large tracts of lands bequeathed by Charles Heyward. 9p.
Letter from Edward Barnwell Heyward to James B. Heyward telling James that he is moving all his father's slaves from Combahee and Pocotaligo to Wateree, SC, for safety. He offers James some land nearby to move his slaves to and "rough it out" a while with him. His plan includes putting all his father's slaves in a camp in the woods "out of the wind, and driving rain, plenty of firewood, and dry ground." 8p.
Small booklet with the names of slaves and the carpenter's tools assigned to them on a yearly basis from 1853-1858 (cover of booklet lists 1852). There is no mention of the plantation but the slave names match several on the list of Fife Plantation slaves (no. 117). 16p.
List of Field Slaves for Hamburgh, Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Myrtle Grove Plantations in 1854-1856, designated by sex and full hand, half hand, etc. 26p.
Letter from Rev. A.J. Leavenworth in Petersburg, Virginia, to James B. Heyward thanking him for the daguerreotypes of his daughters. He writes at length about the beauty and charm of James Heyward's recently departed daughter Charlotte and concludes the letter with several suggestions for epitaphs. 8p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" at "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. His aunt writes about the family, how ice has destroyed their avenue of oaks, and comments on how the legislature in Columbia is attempting to make the college there the only one in the state and turn Charleston College into a preparatory school. 4p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" at "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. In addition to updating James on family news, the writer comments on the historic low temperatures of the winter, the destruction of St. Philips Church in Charleston due to fire, and the presence of elephants and other "Beasts" in town, presumably overwintering circus animals. 4p.
Letter from an unknown sender in "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The letter writer mentions several mutual friends and family and informs James of weddings and social events in Beaufort and Charleston. The writer also mentions James' grandfather's trips to attend to plantation affairs in Pon Pon, a new house being built along the Ashepoo and other trips to Hilton Head and "Hunting Islands." 4p.
Kate Ferguson, wife of Samuel Wragg Ferguson, writes to her husband's godmother. This undated letter was apparently written after Samuel Ferguson's promotion to brigadier general in the Confederate army. She relates how "Ferguson's command is now resting from his last terrible raid" and that "Capt Nugent and William Barker have not yet returned from Deer Creek." 4p.
Letter from Charles Heyward to James B. Heyward informing him of the serious illness of his grandfather, Nathaniel. Enclosed is a second letter from Dr. Thomas Hutson asking James to contact "any of your medical friends in the city." 4p.
Nathaniel Heyward writes from "Blue House" near one of his Combahee plantations to his grandson James B. Heyward congratulating him on his acceptance to Harvard. He provides detailed instructions on how James is to receive money for his studies and tells James he is writing to the president of Harvard but that "he shall know nothing of our money affairs." Nathaniel relates how busy he has been at his mills as he prepares "for a bountiful crop of rice." 2p.
Nathaniel Heyward writes from the "Bluff" on Combahee to his grandson James B. Heyward. He references a conflict, "Morris Vs. Wilson," vowing "not to interfere" and leaves James an order for cotton and stone lime. 2p.
Letter from Hetty Heyward in Charleston to her sister, Mary Smith, in Beaufort. Hetty writes about their recent stay at the Jones' establishment on Sullivan's Island and comments on the families who were vactioning there with them. 4p.
In this letter Nathaniel Heyward writes to his mother about his travels from Philadelphia to New York via Princeton and New Haven. While in New Haven he tours a woolen cloth factory and looks up a friend at Yale University. While touring Yale he stumbles upon the grave of a relative, Benjamin Heyward. 4p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Manassas Junction, on July 10th, 1861, just days before the First Battle of Bull Run. He mentions preparations being made to set up hospitals for the sick and wounded, the capture of the privateer Savannah and Jefferson Davis' warning to Lincoln not to deal harshly with the crew. He writes that Union prisoners in Richmond, who were allowed to roam freely, were "arrested and confined in consequence of the accounts received of the trial of the crew of the Savannah." 4p.
Letter from A. J. Samson to James B. Heyward notifying him that he has been elected an honorary member of the newly formed association of Charleston area survivors of the 1st regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. The association aims to help comrades still suffering from the war and to preserve the regiment's history. 1p. March 10, 1866.
Letter from Sarah Myers to James B. Heyward replying to his note of the same date. Myers consents to the use of "present currency" for that years' rent and indemnifies him should another interested party later object. For the next years' rent she states that she will only take currency if others are still using it. 1p. October 31, 1864.
Note written by James Heyward's attorney, H. W. Fickling, seeking Bond of Indemnity for James B. Heyward if Heyward should pay his rent to Mrs. Myers and not the actual trustee, Mr. Myers. 1p. October 19, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward inquiring if he intends to rent for next year "the place now occupied by your negroes." 1p. August 21, 1864.
Memorandum between Matthew I. Keith, Susan Keith, William Henry Heyward, James B. Heyward, and Maria Heyward concerning a house on Meeting St., Charleston and the use of trust monies to purchase a summer house on Sullivan's Island. 4p. February 16, 1853.
Letter from John W. Chambers to James B. Heyward concerning the particulars of the death of Heyward's son Nathaniel at the Second Battle of Bull Run. According to Lt. Chambers the "musketing in our part of the field had ceased [and] the men were sitting down talking and resting" when a "shell exploded fifteen feet from them." He writes about having to bury Nathaniel and a Lt. Munro in the same grave, which he marked by carving "NH - 1st SCV" on a piece of board. He also asks James about hiring Nathaniel's body servant, John. 3p. September 6, 1862.
1865 Petition of Thomas B. Ferguson to General John Hatch, commander of the Northern District, Department of the South, for the return of a large quantity of rice which was confiscated from his father, James. Of an approximate 7000 bushels of rice, Ferguson has been able to locate only 1185 bushels which were transported by the sloop "Julia" to Bennett's rice mill in Charleston. Ferguson's petition makes the plea that the rice "is the only means his father has for supporting and subsisting a large family. 3p.
Letter from Susan S. Keith to her daughter giving her a first hand account of the great fire that devastated Charleston in December, 1861. "The City is nearly destroyed," she writes, "such a scene of desolation and destruction I never beheld." 4p. December 14, 1861.
Memorandum for purchase of Fife Plantation by Nathaniel Heyward (III), James B. Heyward, and William Henry Heyward from Daniel Heyward Hamilton. The memorandum declares the property will be jointly held by the three and all monies made will either go back into the plantation for operating costs or to pay back the principal and interest of the loan. In addition to the property and slaves of Fife Plantation the Heywards purchased an additional forty slaves from the estate of "Mrs. Hamilton." 3p. January 7, 1852.
1865 Petition of Thomas B. Ferguson to General John Hatch, commander of the Northern District, Department of the South, for the return of goods confiscated at the plantations of his father, James. 3p.
Letter from James B. Heyward on behalf of his infirm grandfather, Nathaniel Heyward, to Francis D. Quash about an offer to invest his property in some unspecified manner. 2p. January 1, 1851.
William Henry Heyward writes to James B. Heyward from Boston. He tells James about visiting their old haunts during their Harvard days including Tremont Theatre, various billiard halls and a shooting gallery, and comments on the merits of rail and steamboat travel over stage coach. 4p.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to James B. Heyward. William writes from Montreal about his health and the gifts and commissions he has procured or investigated for James and his wife on his trip north. He claims "Philad. is the place for domestic manufactures" and "N.Y. for imported." 4p.
Letter from Eliza Smith Heyward in Beaufort to her brother-in-law, James B. Heyward. In her letter, Eliza teasingly accuses James of being "anti-lady" and that she has heard "you were enjoying yourself extremely in society." 4p.
Letter from Samuel Wragg Ferguson from West Point to his godmother. He writes about the mild winter at West Point this season, a rash of recent cadet accidents and his longing to be "warmed by a Dockon fire." 5p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Centreville, Virginia, January 29th, 1862. Ferguson writes that General Beauregard has received orders to proceed to Columbus, Ky., a "new scene of action and I hope of victory and glory." He yearns for news of Union commander Ambrose Burnside's naval expedition which recently sailed and has "occupied so much attention both North and South." 3p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh plantation to Charles Baring at Bee Hive plantation, Pon Pon, in reply to Baring's letter concerning a delinquent tax bill. James refuses to pay, claiming his grandfather paid the bill in Charleston instead of Walterborough, but will "give immediate attention" to the mix up. 2p.
Letter from Nathaniel Heyward to his mother while abroad in Paris. Nathaniel comments on the Paris social scene and complains that his inability to speak French has ruined his time there. 4p.
Letter of condolence from Mary Barnwell to Henrietta Manigault Heyward upon the death of Mrs. Heyward's son Nathaniel. Mrs. Barnwell's daughter (Nathaniel's wife) also recently died leaving three orphaned children. Apparently the two older boys are currently being raised by the Heywards while Mrs. Barnwell cares for an infant daughter. 4p.
Letter from H.L. Elliott to James B. Heyward concerning an ongoing disagreement between Heyward and Frank Myers concerning payment of rent in "present currency." 1p. March 9, 1864. (on Planters Bank of Fairfield stationary)
Note of Bond between Frank Myers and James B. Heyward. The bond, dated March 13, 1963, is at the center of a dispute between Myers and Heyward over the use of Confederate Treasury notes to pay for Heyward's rental of Myers' trust property. 1p.
Letter from J. Robert Coburn, missionary, to James B. Heyward requesting refreshments for himself and his pony during his stay at Fife Plantation. 1p. February 27, 1863.
Receipt of stock in the Bank of Charleston purchased by William Henry Heyward and James B. Heyward as trustees for the estate of Susan S. Keith. 1p. November 23, 1880.
Letter from Esther Heyward in Rome, Italy, to her brother, James B. Heyward. Esther writes of her plans to return home soon, claiming that after she sees "Mont Vesuvius and Pompeii, my astonishments will be over." She writes in detail about St. Peter's Basilica and notes that she climbed to the top and that "It was much easier than I expected, but I made it still easier by being carried in a chair." She mentions the time honored tradition of kissing the statue of St. Peter's toe and requests additional funds to pay for the care of her children she left behind in South Carolina. 4p. January 22, 1851.
Letter from William McBurney in Charleston to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation concerning the hiring of freedmen. McBurney writes that after a survey of other Cooper River plantation owners he finds that most are offering a share of the crop instead of monthly pay "whether from a want of ability to pay wages or because they believed an interest in the crop would secure a more steady course of labor and prevent stealage." McBurney informs Ferguson that he has written up a contract and submitted it to General Scott at the Freedmen's Bureau for acceptance. He fears the general will alter his submitted contract in favor of the former slaves and writes that officials in the bureau think the "freedman and the white northern laborer" are the same. 2p. February 1, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney acknowledges Ferguson's letter regarding the theft of a mule from Dean Hall and sends Ferguson supplies and laborers. 2p. June 12, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson repeating the contractual terms for the hired hands McBurney is sending to Dean Hall Plantation. 4p. December 13, 1865.
Letter from T. Linard (?) of the Freedmen's Bureau to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation. Linard is responding to a complaint from Dennis Cash, a freedman in Ferguson's employ, about the destruction of his private crops by Ferguson's hogs and mules. 2p. September 5, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies for Dean Hall Plantation including zinc, cement, a hammer and 6 mules. 2p. February 26, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning a shipment of supplies that arrived without an invoice. McBurney wants Ferguson to inventory the contents of the shipment to compare later to the invoice. 2p. March 7, 1866.
Letter to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass., from his aunt, Mrs. Smith, in "Old Fort", Beaufort. His aunt relays a message to James to research Old Fort in the Harvard library for his uncle and writes at length of the events at "Carolina College." 4p.
Letter from Hetty Heyward to her mother, Mary Barnwell, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Hetty comments mostly about family affairs and health, frequently mentioning the "Fever" plaguing the area, and looks forward to a trip from Charleston to Beaufort to visit her mother. 4p.
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.
Letter from Hetty Heyward to her mother-in-law, Mrs. Nathaniel Heyward. Hetty thanks her mother-in-law for various gifts and asks her to send flannel, candles and other sundry items. 4p.
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.
Letter from Samuel Wragg Ferguson from West Point to his godmother writing about a recent visit of relatives. He also mentions that he is looking forward to summer encampment and "no more study for two months." 3p.
Letter from Hetty Heyward in Combahee to her mother, Mary Barnwell, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Hetty informs her mother that they are "home" at their plantation on the Combahee after a journey of three days from Charleston. They are not quite settled yet "as the Sloop has not yet arrived with our Servants and baggage." 3p.
Letter from Nathaniel Heyward at Combahee to his grandson James B. Heyward. Nathaniel mentions a cargo of rice he is sending to Ladson and Co., the disappointing rice crop, and a broken water wheel shaft at Rose Hill plantation that "stops all our pounding at No. 6 & 7 for this winter." 2p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies for Dean Hall Plantation. Included among the supplies is a barrel of whiskey that is to be mixed with quinine and taken as a prophylactic and McBurney hopes this "judicious use of the preventatives will aid in keeping off sickness." 1p. June 21, 1866.
Receipt of note to Frank Myers from James B. Heyward for $2500 for the "tenancy of my plantation on Bluff Road twelve miles from Columbia." 1p. March 13, 1863.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward inquiring whether James will be renting his place another year noting that he has had "several applications" to rent the property. 1p. September 18, 1863.
Receipt to Frank W. Heyward signed by W. E. Haskell for $6472.56, probably related to Heyward's duty as executor of his father's estate. 1p. November 16, 1891.
Limit your search
Heyward and Ferguson Family Papers, 1806-1923✖[remove]389
![349. James B. Heyward to [cousin] Marie -- May 20, 1923](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/23993/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
