A bond from Elias Ball to executors of William Carson's estate Alexander Robertson and John Blacklock for $8,000. The document includes records of paid installments.
A torn letter from Isaac Ball to his brother John Ball in "Charles Town" discussing John Ball's physique, the death of Mr. Quash's wife, a shipment of rice and their fathering purchasing a horse.
A letter from A. Waring to her cousin John Ball in Charleston thanking him for a present, the crops at Backriver Plantation, and a potential visit in the spring.
A letter to John Jacob Ischudy discussing arrangements for the rectory, a situation concerning the senders "negroes," and punishing Old Friday by returning him to Ischudy's care.
A torn letter from Elias Ball II to his son John Ball in "Charles Town" offering advice to be " a good boy and you shall want for nothing," and the poor health of John Longstaff.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing a vessel ready to transport items and Vidal's haste to Summerville. Vidal makes the notation he would put the "black hand" to work unloading items if Cranston transports them on the vessel.
Extract from Nicholas Trott's Law, "An Act for Establishing a Ferry Over the Western Branch of Cooper River." The extract pertains to the appointing of a "master or manager" of the ferry and his duties.
A list of offenses resulting in exclusion from the clergy which includes murder, "robbing church," "robbing any persons in their dwelling house," "buggery," piracy, accessories in "petty treason," stealing, rape, burglary, "consulting with evil spirits, taking up dead bodies for purposes of witchcraft," "persons connected with slaves in actual insurrection guilty of treason," and "carrying away a slave."
This document is a tax return for J.H.M. and John Drayton in St. Andrews Parish. Makes notation of "Negros List" naming the enslaved men, women, and children by first name as well as their age. The names of the male slaves are listed as Frank, Dick, "Lummere," Moses, K Joe, Joe, Caesar, Harry, Hector, Charles, Solomon, Senor, Pompy and Skye. The names of the female slaves are listed as Nancy, Cloei, Jeney, Nany, Amelea, Linda, Deana, Judy, Peggy, Perida, "Christan," "Baby," Harriet, Tena, "B. Mulery," "Mury" and Celia.
A document discussing the discharge of a patient named "Marton Starling." Makes notation regarding two slaves, referenced as "negroes" named Elick and Humphrey.
A document with the title "Negroes, The Estate of Peter Villepontoux Deceased" in which the writer lists the names of enslaved men, women and children. Makes notation "Abby-mulatto wench" as well as the relationships between slaves.
A diagram of the "Plain Scale." The horizontal axis is labeled "inclinations of meridians" and vertical axis is labeled hours. Various geometric shapes and lines such as chord, rhombus, tangents, secants, semi tangents, longitudes, and latitudes are drawn within the "plain."
Loose pages from "A Peep into the Past" which was also published in The Evening News in 1852. These pages discuss Sally Brailsford, the granddaughter of Madame Brailsford and niece of Mr. Waring. Topics include her admirer, the family's property occupied by squatters, a brief history of Col. William Scott, the Waring family's genealogy traced back to 1067, "the era of the conquest," a letter to William Waring from Thomas Waring of Kilkenny dated 16th of April 1725 on Waring genealogy, and history of the Brailsford family.
A list of lands and enslaved persons owned by John Ball which includes Back River Plantation, it's swamps, lands for cultivation, pine land, a carriage house, smoke house, overseer's house, store house, corn house, a cooper shop and twelve "negro" houses. The document also lists that there are four enslaved men above fifty years of age, eighteen enslaved men under fifty and above twelve, ten enslaved boys under the age of twelve, seven enslaved women above fifty years old, nineteen enslaved women under fifty and above twelve and twenty enslaved girls under twelve.
An agreement between Charles Alston Sr. and former enslaved persons, now freedmen and women, at Fairfield Plantation. The agreement outlines the duties that Charles Alston and the freed persons must follow. The signatures of the freed persons, which includes children, are marked with an "x."
This loose page is a record of deaths and births in the Benseman family. The reverse side of the document includes the notation "my negro woman had a boy child" and "my servant Patty had a boy child."
A document transcription of dialogue between a "Mr. Learned" and Dr. Franz Joseph Gall on phrenology, a pseudoscience primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules.
A receipt for thirteen bushels of rice from William Ball. The receipt includes a mark, most likely in place of a signature from an enslaved or freed person.
A petition to the commissioners of the roads in St. John's Parish from Thomas Corbett Jr. and Nicholas Harleston. The petition concerns the inability to build a dwelling house on the plantation as a road prohibits this, and that the petitioners will pay for the construction of a new road.
The division and appraisement of Judith Boisseau Ball's estate according to her last will and testament which leaves her daughter Eleanor 6000 in currency and the rest of the estate to be equally divided. The division includes currency, enslaved persons and cattle.
A letter to Eleanor Ball from Thomas Smith discussing the division of his father's estate, Eleanor Ball's demands against the state, and a statement from a bond to Eleanor Ball.
This newspaper clipping titled "The Penitentiary is the Place" discusses the arrest of eleven men, now freed slaves, referenced as "negroes," for murdering another black man.
Final notice of auction for Nightingale Hall Plantation by auctioneer Alonzo White. The notice gives information concerning the location and fields of the plantation, the property's condition, cattle and the names of enslaved persons living there.
A list of slaves and their prices divided by lots. Makes notations next to specific slaves writing their jobs such as "Simon, Carpenter" and "Lucy, House."
A list of enslaved men, women and children belonging to Ann Ball purchased from the estate of John Ball. Persons are priced as family units and includes valuations.
A letter from Caroline Simons to her brother John Ball in "Charles Town" discussing a shipment of a keg with eggs sent by the enslaved man Ben, the health of their father, the price of "mirtle wax," and a request for oysters.
A torn letter to John Ball by Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation discussing Mr. Simon's Caty being ill, the safe arrival of Mr. E. Simons and guns.
Final notice of auction for Nightingale Hall Plantation by auctioneer Alonzo White. The notice gives information concerning the location and fields of the plantation, the property's condition, cattle and the names of enslaved persons living there.
A list of enslaved men, women and children under the title "List of Negroes." The list includes first names, dates of birth, gender, their work as a full or half time field hand, diseases and their "usefulness." Makes notations on specific slaves and their abilities to work as well as their specific jobs on the plantation.