A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing a shipment of butter, the planting of slips, an issue with the carpenters Robert, Tom and Gabe, having Tom punish Gabe for lying, a list of enslaved persons who are sick and an inventory of cattle.
A copy of a letter from John Ball at Comingtee Plantation to Limerick Plantation overseer Stephen Herren reprimanding Herren's disappearance when Ball visited the plantation to divide the enslaved persons. The letter goes on to discuss the consequences of Herren not being present, whether he respects his duty as overseer and Herren going against the rules concerning the enslaved persons, specifically enslaved children, and Old Simon.
A letter from J. E. Holmes in Charleston to Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation on advertising the sale of the "plantation and negroes", the potential hindrance the crops would have on the sale, their advice that Ann Ball should not maintain control over the entire estate for her own well being, and selling the enslaved persons first.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to Ann Ball in Charleston discussing the enslaved persons Rachel, Sena and Jack sending over supplies, the poor health of Old Nat and Sena, and having the enslaved person Gabe "switched."
A letter from Catherine Edwards to John Ball at Kensington Plantation requesting an explanation over the "ill will" directed towards her from the Balls upon her attempt at visiting.
A letter from Isaac Ball in Charleston to his brother Elias Ball in Norwich, Vermont discussing Elias Ball attending a military academy to "improve your minds & morals." Makes notation of "Captain P" (most likely Captain Alden Patridge, founder of Norwich University). The letter goes on to discuss the "abolition society of Europe," and that "our northern brothers appear very anxious to set our slaves in commotion." Isaac Ball discusses the arrival of a "negro" from a British vessel and unable to gain "Habeas Corpus," was jailed until the vessel left and while onboard, attempted to run away from the captain and was brought back. The discussion goes on further stating that the northern states "send their free negroes as stewards and cooks" on board vessels and that the southern states, "take them up & put them in jail" where the numbers amount to sixty or seventy at the time of this letter.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball in Charleston discussing a shipment from John Ball of butter and rice and the "misconduct of Payne & Daphne. The letter goes on to discuss that Payne has been robbing Ischudy and that he believes Daphne is his accomplice. As a result of this discovery, Ischudy writes that Payne was "smartly punished" but has now fled to the woods. Ischudy is requesting to exchange Payne for another enslaved person. The letter ends with Ischudy describing enslaved persons as "such creatures. Their "natural dishonesty, lying, laziness & the constant necessity of having one's eye upon them, worry me & almost wear me out. Mrs. Ischudy is even more sick of them..."
A letter from Isaac Ball in Charleston to his brother Elias Ball in Norwich, Vermont discussing their shared disinterest in New York, thinking Elias Ball was enchanted by the New York harbor due to being from the "flat country," the loss and recovery of Elias Ball's trunk, a visit from John B. Laurens in which he proposed to Elias Ball's sister where she gave a "favorable though not determined answer." The letter goes on to discuss that Elias Ball's aunt has fallen back into her "mental derangement" and has been violent.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rectory, a move to "pine-land," Dublin bringing "Old Bobbel" to the rectory, a complaint of dysentery, the work of "Friday & his wife," a situation concerning the purchase of butter from Comingtee Plantation and Mrs. Ischudy's concerns over " a gathering in one of her breast."
A letter from Eliza Laurens at Mepkin Plantation to Mr. Simons and Mr. Ball discussing her approval of making a new bridge and her hiring carpenters to assist. Laurens states that these carpenters, when sent to help, were forbidden in taking down the old bridge. As a result of this, Laurens denied her approval and renewal of a contract.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops, the enslaved persons Elick, Paul, Pompy and Jimmy.
A letter from a member of the Simons family in Charleston to Isaac Ball at Quinby Plantation discussing the enslaved person Scipio and a horse cargo traveling with items, militia duty, the rice market, business, and the "happy days of our boyhood."
A letter from Limerick Plantation overseer John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his family's removal to Cordesville and the almost desolate rectory.
A letter from Keating Simons to his daughter Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the arrival of General Lafayette in Charleston, how the crowds were "completely united" in honoring General Lafayette, how Keating Simons and General Pinckney used two private carriages to attend the procession, Colonel Drayton delivering an address to General Lafayette at St. Andrews Hall, a business meeting, eggs, and turkeys sold by Mary Franklin and a memorandum on bonds.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the death of John who suffered from severe head pain, the death of Beck's child and a shipment of eggs.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice and pea crops, shoe measures for the enslaved persons, a request for a hand saw and two whitewashing brushes.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing a situation concerning "Cupit's" conduct on the plantation.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston on receiving supplies, the dry weather, the rice crops, and a request for supplies.
A letter from Eleanor Ball Simons to her daughter Ann Ball in Charleston discussing the poor health of Jane, the different medicines given to her, remarks on Betsy and Nancy, bad news about Mr. Laurens, and the health of various family members.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the corn crop, the mill pond, sickness on the plantation, the enslaved man August under Dr. Edward's care who believes August is suffering from consumption, the enslaved women and children gathering peas, and Lucy confined for giving birth to a boy.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing the doctor visiting the plantation, the midwifery, sick enslaved persons from various plantations suffering from fevers or pox, and the rice crops.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing a steamboat, the health of James Coward, the rice and pea crops, and Old Mary sick with fever.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice, pea and corn crops, the death of Mr. Simmons, and the death of young children due to sickness.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing work done on the Santee road, and the construction of a fence at Turkey Hill.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing a letter to Mr. Coward's father, the rice crops and the health of Mrs. Coward.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the recovery of John Ball, the rice crop and sawing. Coward goes into an account of the enslaved man Julius running away but believes he will return as Julius has done so in the past and finishes his letter discussing the enslaved girl Judy suffering from a sickness.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the health of John Ball, the weather, planting slips, the death of Celia at Midway Plantation, and details on when the enslaved persons "strip themselves" when it rained due to the warm weather.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the poor health of John Ball, the planting of slips, the pea and rice crops, the weather, sick children, and the confinement of Eliza.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the recovery of John Ball, the death of the enslaved woman Sarah, the confinement of Eliza, sick children, and the rice crops.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball in Charleston discussing the poor health of John Ball, the weather, the corn crop and a shipment of supplies.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing Ball's poor health, the rice and corn crops, and the hot weather.
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice and corn crops, and a situation concerning the conduct of an enslaved woman who Turner wanted to put in a closet, but four men took her from the closet and said "they would dye before she would go in the clauset."
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops and fields, a request for more mules and a saddle, and a statement on Peggy.
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to Mary thanking her for a package she sent, his poor health and treatment from a doctor, and reflections on a party during the Christmas season. The letter goes on to discuss the Christmas of the "good old days in slavery time, thanks to Mr. Lincoln" and that two servants remain in the household as they "never left us."
A letter from Keating Simons Ball at Comingtee Plantation to William Ball requesting him to take care of a dog while Keating Ball's family moves to the "Pine Lands." The letter goes on to discuss that this dog ran into a flock of sheep and injured one.
