A copy of the last will and testament of Lydia Child Ball in which she states to "give and dispose of all such slaves & there respective issue," a bond of one thousand pounds to John and Nicholas Harleston, the enslaved man Ratcliffe and the enslaved women Amey to her daughter Catherine Simons, the enslaved man Sam to her son and a list of executors she appoints to carry out her will.
A copy of the last will and testament of Judith Ball in which she bequeaths household furniture and pistols to her son John Coming Ball, furniture and chinaware to her daughter Jane Ball, and the enslaved man Jacob and the enslaved women Rinah and Violet to her daughter Eleanor Ball. The remainder of the will divides Judith Ball's money and estate among her children and appoints her executors.
A letter from Col. R. McKelvey to John Ball on General Washington "accepting his appointment under Congress" and John Ball's promotion to Major of the 2nd Battalion of the 30th Regiment. Also included is a letter from John Ball discussing his promotion and an election for an ensign.
Memorandums on Elias Ball II discussing Comingtee Plantation given to him in the will of his father Elias Ball I, and the probability that Elias Ball Sr. was buried at St. Philip's Church in Charleston.
A letter from Catherine Hort at Middleburg Plantation to her uncles John and Elias Ball on her gratitude for their attention on "our joint estate." Also included is John Ball's reply on her father's estate, and Catherine's "dissatisfaction to both the division of negroes and land."
A letter from Elias Ball IV in Charleston to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing the situation in "Old England," a possibility of there being no king in England, opinions on France for "taking the hed of Lewe," and the shipping of goods and the current weather in Charleston.
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brothers John and Elias Ball on thanking Mr. Hort for "bringing up the books & settling the concerns of the estate." Also included is a copy of John Ball's reply from Kensington Plantation to Catherine's letter on signing the letter to Mr. Hort.
A copy of a reference letter from James Simons to the tutors of Cambridge College on behalf of John Ball. Included is a letter from the college stating that a "certificate" is required for any student recommendation.
Certification from Pastor Purcell of St. Michaels in Charleston and Minister George Buist from the Presbyterian Church of Charleston that John Ball is a student in the Charleston Seminary.
A note from Pastor Purcell of St. Michaels in Charleston and Minister George Buist from the Presbyterian Church of Charleston. The note mentions supplying a certificate for John Ball to "remedy the defect."
A letter to Captain John Ball on an impending visit from General Pinckney and Washington resulting in a request for a battalion muster at Moncks Corner.
A letter from Charleston discussing John Ball's qualifications for any Universities in England. These qualifications include John's "proper" behavior, and reading Virgil, Horace, and the Gospels of the Greek Testaments.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother-in-law Elias Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing Elias Ball's "scurrilous" letter, and the appraisement of Judith Ball's estate with no intention of fraud. John Ball goes on to discuss the poor character of Elias Ball as an executor using examples from family estates, including that of John Coming Ball Sr.'s second wife, Judith Boisseau, their enslaved persons, comparing Elias Ball to " a parable of the servant in the Gospel" with little talent, commenting on his liberality, Elias Ball's accusation that John Ball married Elias's sister for her mother's estate, and Elias's threat to return to the United States to "have justice done."
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a chartered ship, the nuptials of Elias Ball III's daughter and her husband's reputation in the United States, the crop and cattle at Elias Ball IV's plantations, and a notation that "Old Tom" has been well and putting out tobacco plants.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England on James Gordon receiving rice, charters send to Comingtee Plantation to receive rice, a frost ruining a supply of rice, a request for "negro" clothing and plantation tools and Elias Ball IV's feelings on laboring.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England on receiving goods, money due, a notation regarding births and deaths of enslaved persons, Elias Ball IV's father buying Hyde Park Plantation from Elias Ball III, and the plantation crops and taxes.
A letter from Elias Ball IV in Charleston to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a charter, Comingtee Plantation, a shortage of rice in the country, and a recommendation from "Moultrie" to hire James Gordon.
A torn letter from Elias Ball IV to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a shipment of corn and rice sent to Bristol, an impending visit from William Moultrie Jr., a referral from General Marion, and notations on the House of Assembly.
A letter from Henry Laurens Jr. at Mepkin Plantation to John Ball at Kensington Plantation on receiving a letter delivered by the enslaved man Adonis, sending Laurens' mare home, and the poor health of John Ball's father.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England on an account between the Balls and James Gordon, Elias Ball IV's tiredness, the rice and corn crops, planting 225 acres of rice at Comingtee Plantation, and debt.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on delivering a letter through the enslaved man Harvy, word regarding a battle in New York and numerous statements on the troops in Charleston.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac at Kensington Plantation on receiving money from Keating Simons, notations regarding 1,500 to 2,000 men from the "back country", and the closing of stores in Charleston.
A letter from Lydia Ball Simons to her brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation. The letter discusses her receiving word from John by the enslaved man Adam, her wanting John to come for her the following week and the going price for bushels of salt.
A letter from Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on sending the enslaved man Plimouth with a delivery, and a request for news from town through either a letter or a newspaper.
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on receiving a keg of nuts, sending the enslaved man Ben with freshly washed socks, and having the "wenches" work on John's clothes.
A torn letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Edward "Ned" Simons and an offer about a gun.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving letters from John and a request for newspapers.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Comingtee Plantation to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing Isaac's fever and sending the enslaved man Plimouth to visit Isaac to receive news of his health.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Isaac Ball and requesting white sugarcane and "negro leather."
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on sending for one of his shirts and that if the "wenches" cannot have them ruffled, she will do it herself.
A letter from Edward Simons in St. Thomas to John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of articles sent to John by Mr. Addison's boat and requesting that the enslaved persons Minus and Cromwell carry the articles upon arrival.
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment she sent to him and the health of her daughter Cate.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a potential visit from his half siblings.
A letter from Isaac Ball to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on Isaac's health and a "battle" fought between Messieurs Simons and Ball.
Fragments of a letter from Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina. Fragments reveal statements regarding the health of family members.
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the weather, Jane Ball's health, an outbreak of measles in Charleston and small pox at Midway Plantation, the inoculation of forty enslaved persons, a publication from Doctor Waterhouse on diseases, and the death of cattle due to a drought.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Jane Ball's health, family matters, travel, a drought and fears of famine, John's education, the election of Mr. Parker as assistant at St. Phillip's Church, Charleston politics, and the publication of "malicious" content. The letter ends discussing an outbreak of small pox and measles.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing traveling to Newport, Susey's boys and her financial struggles, the health of citizens in Charleston, and a publication on the number of deaths in the city for whites and blacks. The letter ends discussing the deaths of the P.M. Parker, the newly elected assistant rector of St. Philip's Church and Cousin Corbett's son Tom.
