A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's improved health, sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston assist John, the weather, and the rice crops.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing health, family matters, and a statement concerning an "unhappy prisoner" and his execution.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a trip to Newport onboard a ship with "18 whites besides our servants," and the health of Jane Ball.
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 in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's schooling, a trip to Newport, and a drought in South Carolina.
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 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.
