In this letter from Charlotte Manigault to Henrietta Drayton weather and social life in Charleston is discussed, including any recent visitors and travel.
An inventory of the goods, "chattels" and personal property of Mrs. Hannah Tait which includes sixty-seven enslaved persons and their valuations. The following pages include items brought forward and twenty-three enslaved persons in possession of Mrs. Shackleford.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. asking for assistance into discovering the cause of death for four enslaved persons at Delta Plantation. The letter mentions that four enslaved persons died in the field during planting time and that due to insufficient work, the overseer was asked to "employ the necessary punishments to enforce obediency..." Cheves states that punishments included seventy-five lashes which he deemed "perfectly harmless to him and much short of what would have been generally inflicted for the misconduct of which he was guilty."
A letter to Langdon Cheves Sr. concerning the cause of death for four enslaved persons on Delta Plantation. The letter mentions a possible chronic malady as the cause rather than "improper severity" by the overseer or harm by other enslaved persons. Makes a remark that the enslaved man Charles, thought to have committed suicide, may have fallen into the canal accidentally.
A list of enslaved children born at Comingtee and Stoke Plantations. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their mother, and their current age.
Letters of Testamentary for the deceased John Ball in which the administration of his goods, rights and credits is bestowed upon Ann Ball, Ledgwick Simons and Thomas Grange Simons.
An agreement from Langdon Cheves Sr. to Mr. Zant allowing him to work two enslaved persons on his plantation for the crop of 1834. Mentions deductions of money for loss of crops but not for an enslaved person who runs away or dies. The third page of the agreement contains a note on the mortgage for enslaved persons.
A bill of sale for seven enslaved persons for $3,470 from Edward, Maurice and Thomas Simons, executors of the last will and testament of Keating Simons, to Ann Ball. The names of the enslaved persons are Sam, James, Chloe, Chloe's two children Adam and Betty, Judy and Monimia.
The Estate General J.W. Allston in Account with A.W. Campbell, 1834-1857, is an account book kept for the estate of Joseph Waties Allston. The first half of the book records payments and bonds paid on behalf of J.W. Allston's estate by executor A.W. Campbell. The second half of the book records payments and bonds paid on behalf of the estate by executor Robert F.W. Allston. Payments include those for the hiring and purchasing of enslaved persons.
This document is a bill of sale at Charleston, South Carolina for a slave named Rhoda, referenced as "negro girl slave," sold to C.S. Simonton from Louisa Lane for $600.
A letter from Comingtee Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the crowded houses on the plantation, placing the enslaved women and children in the sick houses, Coward's disappointment in his work, the cooper "Midway Marcus," a burnt child, the work of the enslaved persons Phyllis, Caesar, Benjamin, young Stephen, the health of "Monemah's" child at Kensington Plantation and the enslaved persons Boris, Driver Jack, and Cate.
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.
The Ball Family Blanket Book, 1835-1840, is a bound volume kept by or for members of the Ball family. The volume includes yearly lists of blankets given to enslaved persons. Blankets are sometimes noted as being "first quality" or "second quality."
A document with the title "List of Negroes on my Marriage Settlement" listing the names of fourty enslaved men and women in an 1835 marriage settlement.
The Horlbeck Daybook, 1835-1837, was kept by members of the Horlbeck building and architectural business. Included in the daybook are lists of work done for clients such as remodeling, repair, or construction. Buildings worked on include the jail, St. Stephen's Chapel, the Fire Master's Department, and the Poor House. The descriptions include types of materials used and the number of Black and White employees working. Black employees consist of enslaved and freed persons.
The Estate Book of Hannah Tait, 1836-1860, records the financial accounts for the estate of Hannah Tait with Robert F.W. Allston as executor. The beginning of the book contains the last will and testament of Hannah Tait in which she outlines her wishes for the division of her estate and paying off of debts. Tait leaves her daughter Elizabeth Shackleford her enslaved persons but if Shackleford dies, the enslaved persons are to be "sold at a private sale to humane masters." The book also includes a copy of the inventory and appraisement of the enslaved persons.
A bill of sale for the enslaved man listed as "negro named Thomas" for $925. The sale is between James Adger, James Hamilton and Arthur Middleton who bought Thomas from J. William C. Hitchinson.
A bill of sale for the enslaved man listed as "Negro man slave Caius." The enslaved man was bought by James Hamilton, Arthur Middleton, and James Adger for the sum of $800 from William R. Maxwell and James R. Pringle.
A bill of sale for the enslaved women listed as "negro woman named Robin." The enslaved woman was bought by James Hamilton, James Adger and Arthur Middleton from E. Lightwood for $900.
A bill of sale for three enslaved people purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from the estate of Daniel Blake for $1,320. The names of the enslaved persons are Limerick, Chloe, and Bob.
A bill of sale for five enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from Robert Pinckney for $2,075. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Tom, Silvia, Betsey, Bella, and "Scena."
An agreement between Langdon Cheves Sr. and his overseer George Lynes in which he promises to carry out his duties, which includes attending to the enslaved persons in sickness.
A bill of sale for six enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from R.T. Pinckney for $3,605. The names of the enslaved persons are Carter, Cely, Billy, Tommy, Ben, and Abraham.
A bill of sale for seven enslaved persons for $4,000 from Robert F.W. Allston to Mary Allston, widow of the late Joseph Allston. The names of the enslaved persons are Moses, Maria, Rebecca, Prince, Sandy, Lizy and William.
The last will and testament of Robert F.W. Allston outlining his wishes to pay his debts by selling portions of his estate. Robert Allston's wife Adele Allston and sons Benjamin and Robert Jr., each receive one-third part of the estate. The second page, dated one year later, includes an addendum on the death of Robert Allston Jr., and the division of the estate between Robert Allston's wife Adele and their son and daughters.
A bill of sale for eight enslaved persons from the estate of John Coachman to Robert F.W. Allston for $2,565. The names of the enslaved persons are Betty, Tom, Nancy, Ben, Candy, Sucky, Kezia and Jack.
A letter from John Cheeseborough to his aunt Elizabeth Frances Blyth discussing the hiring of the enslaved man York. Makes notation that he would be "very unwilling to sell him where he could not be with his family."
The Edisto Island Presbyterian Church Register is an unbound book recorded between 1837-1901. The register contains minutes from church sessions, baptism and marriage records, church memberships and church controversies with references to enslaved men and women by name and the accusations against them. Also included is the constitution of the Edisto Union Church, which was formed by Africans Americans, formerly enslaved, who took over the Edisto Island Presbyterian Church following the Civil War.
A list of enslaved persons or "work hands" at Wavery Plantation. The list is divided between "task hands" and "half hands." The other pages include a note on "negro houses," and a list of enslaved persons who do not work in the field.
The Stoney Account Book, 1837-1838, and Plantation Daybook, 1852 is a bound volume kept by the Stoney family, possibly John Stafford Stoney, in which the first half of the book documents payments for shipping, freights, wharfage and commissions from GM Thompson, Wade Hampton II, William Cunningham, Robert E. Russell, Mary Hampton, Horace Osborne & Co., John Preston, and Nesbit Manufacturing Co. The second half of the book was written by a plantation overseer at Medway Plantation in which he documents the tasks performed by enslaved people and the slaves who missed work due to sickness. The names of the slaves are listed as: Abraham, Andrew, Beck, Bella, Bess, Binah, Bob, Brooke, Celia, Cesar, Charlot, Cily, Dido, Dinah/Old Dinah, Dolly, Edward, Elsey, Grace, Hector, Hercules, Jack, Jackey, Kate, Maully, Moses, Old Elley, Old Felix, Old Jerry, Peter, Philaskey, Philis, Pussy, Quash, Robert, Robin, Rosannah, Sam, and Samey.
The letter states that Charlotte Manigault had planned to leave for Pendleton on April 9th, but she was taken sick with the fever. She will not leave until she feels better.
The James Simons Account Book, 1838-1854, contains financial information for Mrs. Harleston Simons in account with James Simons. Accounts include payments made for shoes, clothing, slave badges, and wages for enslaved persons. The names of the enslaved persons are written as Martha, Billy, John, Sammy, Annette, Lydia, Charlotte, and Richard.
