A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of money to Boston.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing family matters and money sent to John for his schooling.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Jr's school vacation plans and knowledge of American cities, inquiries into the lifestyle of students at Harvard, the marriage of cousin Lydia to Mr. Lucas, the cotton crops in South Carolina and at Kensington, Hyde Park and Midway Plantations. The letter concludes concerning a deed for the enslaved boy Billy, "the valet de chambre" for John Ball Sr. who wishes that upon his death for John Ball Jr. to "be kind to him for my sake & for your own advantage." He ends stating that if Billy is "ungrateful" towards John Ball Jr. or quits, "do not trouble in getting him back, but if he afterwards return then let him be disgraced..."
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on suffering from the "autumnal fever of the country," the city of Charleston suffering greatly from the disease, a visit from the Englishman William Charles Thomas to settle the concerns of the exiled Elias Ball in Bristol, a request for a miniature of John Ball Jr., the essays of the Pope, how John should behave while at college and the differences between English and American education. Makes the notation, 'carry in your mind that whenever a general emancipation takes place in South Carolina & Georgia you are a ruined man and all your family [connexions] made beggars."
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's studies, his "moral & religious virtue," the behavior of his brothers, the fever outbreak in the city, updates on family members and neighbors including the death of Mrs. Crafts, notations concerning various enslaved persons working as servants and coachmen, and the readiness" of the Frigate to sail "the ministers to the Hague."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Sr.'s fever, medicine, the health of the family, wanting watermelons, John Ball Jr.'s writing skills, an inquiry for John Ball Jr.'s miniature or a portrait of him in his school uniform, and the rice crop in South Carolina.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the "unhealthiness of Charleston," due to a spreading sickness, fears of physicians and family members contracting the disease, the statement that "death stalks ghastly" and that Mr. J. Cordes was buried at Briggin Church.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Jr's letter writing, his request for his son to read "Popes Letters" and Pliny, a visit from Captain Tilden, John's school expenses, and John Ball Sr.'s advice regarding dating.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on letter writing, Captain Calef, the launching of the Boston Frigate, the Constitution of Massachusetts, inquiries into john Ball Jr's life at college, and on writing in Latin.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on letter writing, how to behave while at school and with friends, avoiding "extravagance" and living with " generosity tempered with prudence."
A letter from John Ball to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of rice and meat, the poor health of Jane Ball and John Ball Jr. submitting to "the arbitrary laws" of Harvard.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing their fears of John being in Boston when there is a "prevailing disease," the safe arrival of his baggage and "liquor case," a bond of 200 silver, a request for John Ball Jr. to create an account of his expenses, certificates from Mr. Osborne and Doctor's Buist and Purcell, John Ball Sr. suffering from a fever, the poor health of Archer Lord and the death of Archer's sister Maria, and a spread of fever but no symptoms mirroring yellow fever such as black vomit.
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 Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, John's arrival in Massachusetts and the status of his luggage, John Ball Sr. suffering from "the fall fever," the death of Mr. John Cordes at Pine Ville, and advice to John Ball Jr. to wear warm clothing during the winters for fear of getting consumption.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts inquiring into his passage to Massachusetts, and the belief that John Ball Jr. is a good child and she wishes for him to pursue "the paths of strict virtue and honor." Jane Ball ends the letter discussing the poor health of Mrs. Scott and her request for John Ball Jr. to write more frequently.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the family relocating to the country for winter, and inquiry on "Allston and Wainwright" from South Carolina at the college. The letter concludes with John Ball Sr. asking about sites in Boston such as Bunker Hill, the dome of the new state house and the methods people use to keep warm in Boston during the winter.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing their fears of John Ball Jr. getting yellow fever in Boston, Uncle Ball sick with fever, John Ball Jr.'s friends "Allston and Wainwright" at university, John attending class with "67 scholars," and the importance of an education.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, the library at school, certificates from Mr. Osborne and Doctor's Buist and Purcell, and advice that anything John Ball Jr. hears at someone's house is "sacred" and never told outside of that house.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the death of Mr. John Cordes from "fits" at Pine Ville, and the poor health of Dr. McCormick.
A letter from Keating Simons to his daughter Ann Simons Ball discussing Jane's fever, and the sick family of John Lyons. The letter ends discussing the victory of General Andrew Jackson against the British in New Orleans where 1,000 men were killed and 500 taken prisoner.
A letter from Isaac Ball in Newport, Rhode Island to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing letter writing, advice, drinking "Adam's ale," the weather, the poor health of Mr. Brenton's sister, family matters, and a fever in Providence "that turns people crazy."
A letter from Thomas Slater in London, England to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing a sickness in the Ball family, the European Magazines, the purchase of Quinby Plantation, and planting rice.
A letter from farm manager or agent named James Hull on the enslaved man Scipio bring down ducks and butter, picking peas, working in the fields and payments.
A letter from Lydia Bryan in Charleston, South Carolina to her niece Nancy Ball at Comingtee Plantation inquiring into the health of Jane suffering from a fever.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation discussing Ball's order of a plate, a shipment of blankets, a pair of women's shoes, William James Ball's health, studies, impending trip to the Scottish Highlands, and a list of his school expenses.
A letter from Matthew Bryan to John Ball Jr. discussing his nephew Henry Bryan traveling to South Carolina, ideas of establishing a trade of goods, a request for blankets for enslaved persons , the cost of exporting "negro cloth," and details on the manufacturing business.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina on a watch that Ball ordered, William James Ball's expenses in Edinburgh, and the price of rice and cotton in England.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing Lockey's and William James Ball's passage to England, the start of William's schooling, and a blockade in Europe.
A copy of a letter from John Ball Sr. to financial agent George Lockey discussing the purchase of Lockey's Santee property, traveling to Georgia to see "the tide lands" for potential bargaining, and John Ball's son William.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing an upcoming birth in John's family, their brother Isaac's courtships, and the statement that "war resounds from all quarters." The letter goes on talking about the inhabitants of Edinburgh and their excessive alcohol and tea drinking, tobacco use, nervous disorders, and the "badly attended" theater.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing his impending graduation, plans to travel to London to attend medical school, his friend John Wilson getting a job in the engineering department in America, the cost of provisions and taxes, and that oatmeal is the "chief support" for laborers in Scotland.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the cold weather, the upcoming birth of a baby for John, attending a performance of the actress Sarah Siddons, issues with selling the crops in South Carolina, William's opinions on the medical field including his "little faith" in the London Hospitals.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing family matters, his friend Isaac Wilson leaving Scotland back home to "the land of Liberty and Equality," William's desire to travel to Paris to learn surgery and preparing for graduation.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing his final exams in medical school, the dangers of traveling to France, and discussions of health and diseases.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a letter of credit, the severe winter in Edinburgh, deciding not to travel to Paris for medical school, plans to return to Charleston to work as a doctor, and William's opinions on the study of medicine.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing the birth of a baby in John's family, other family matters, and the observation that many inhabitants in Edinburgh have a wooden leg due to sickness.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing finances for William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland, and national politics.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing letter writing, their brother Isaac, William's traveling companions, his views on how the enslaved persons in South Carolina are "better off" than the "highland peasantry," and an account of the living conditions of the Scottish Highland inhabitants.
A letter from Elias Ball in Boston, Massachusetts to his nephew John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing travel with John's brother Isaac, meeting acquaintances, their future travel plans, ordering a carriage with horses, and requests for "negro cloth" and mending clothes for enslaved persons.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation discussing the weather in Edinburgh, William's opinions on drinking alcohol, his belief that there is no cure for excessive drinking, the "degraded state to which human nature is brought by drunkenness" and the "ill effects it produces on the constitution."
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation discussing John suffering from "Cholic," and William's account of the landscapes, inhabitants and agriculture of the Scottish Highlands.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing letter writing, the birth of their twin sisters, the death of Mr. Fraser, their Uncle Elias Ball and brother Isaac Ball's excursions, and the music of the Scottish Highlands.
A letter from Elias Ball in Baltimore, Maryland to his nephew John Ball Jr. in Charleston discussing traveling by vessel with John's brother Isaac, the landscapes of Maryland, the "poor people" and their housing, visiting a bath house, and the "shie" personalities of the people in Baltimore.