A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, a trip to Newport, and an assessment of a canal at Kensington Plantation.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the death of George Washington and his services to the country, the idea of Charleston erecting a statue of George Washington in the city, the death of Governor Rutledge from a stroke, the appointing of John Drayton acting as commander in chief, and advice for John to maintain good behavior in school.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on Captain Tilden still missing, Jane Ball's painful fingers, the advice from doctors to cut off her fingers and her fears of "the amputating knife," the poor health of Uncle Bryan, and an update on John's brothers.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Sr. leaving for Kensington Plantation, a visit to see Aunt Simons at Sullivan's Island, updates on John's brothers, the death of Ned Wilkinson, Old John Gaillard and Old Brailsford, George Aneram from fever, and Jane's health.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing money sent to Boston, issues with acquiring an overseer, updates on John's brothers, Uncle Bryan traveling to the north to improve his health and the death of "Callaghan."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a visit to Kensington Plantation, John's expenses for school, the death of Callaghan from a horse accident, Aunt Simons spending time at Sullivans Island and the fear of hurricanes.
A letter from John Ball to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing his confinement due to head pains, Jane Ball's painful fingers and fears that amputation are the only cure, updates on John's brothers and the poor health of Uncle Bryan.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing memorandums, money for John's education, the improving health of Mr. Bryan, and Aunt Simons traveling to Tranquil Hill.
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..."
