A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she describes the functioning of their new farm in Greenville, requests items from their plantations, and advises him on the management of enslaved people. She also mentions the possibility of hiring out Jack, an enslaved blacksmith.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she advises him on the management of enslaved people (Alfred, Forester, Philemon, Mitchell, and Andrew) in the face of them possibly escaping to the Union. She also reports on the family's situation and health at the new farm in Greenville.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she shares her fear for the future of South Carolina, specifically Charleston and Georgetown, amid the Civil War. She also mentions the impact of the war on enslaved people and the Middleton family.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she reports on life at the new farm in Greenville, shares her concern for the Union troops' advancement in Georgetown, and advises him on the management of enslaved people.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she discusses the high prices for food and supplies in Greenville and briefly worries about the outlook of the Civil War.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Susan Alston to her father, Charles Alston, in which she describes their work setting up the farm in Greenville and complains about the soaring cost of living in the town. She also relays the story of the Seven Days Battles in Virginia, blaming General Huger for the Union's escape.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she encourages him to provide the enslaved people with milk, meat, tobacco, molasses, and sugar to dissuade them from escaping. She also discusses the general state of their newly acquired farm in Greenville and requests him to send enslaved people to fix it up. On the back of the envelope, a list of names and "by Hands by Charleston South Carolina" is written.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she describes the situation at their new farm in Greenville, including the growing prices and scarcity of food. Throughout the letter, she mentions the work done by enslaved people such as Tom, Winnie, and Toby.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she encourages him to provide additional provisions, including meat and tobacco, for the enslaved people to prevent them from running away to the Union Army. She also discusses the necessities for the repair of their farm, requesting that he arrange for enslaved labor and materials to be sent.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she implores him to supply the enslaved people on their plantation with meat, milk, tobacco, and textiles to discourage them from escaping. She also updates him on their acquisition of a farm and Greenville and the general economic state of the town.
