Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans to move the Convent and Academy out of downtown Columbia after the war and mentions the death and funeral of Confederate General Smith. She also writes of brother Hugh's new position as aid to General Beauregard in Charleston and informs the Bishop that his "boy" sent up from Charleston to work on one of the Bishop's properties may have "gone to the yankees." October 10, 1862. 8p.
Letter from A.M. Jones to James B. Heyward requesting employment as an overseer of Myrtle Grove Plantation. Jones writes "we are enveloped in a most distructive (sic) dreadfull war without any reasonable knowledge of the end" and he fears that his employers, who run a "mill at Black Creek," are preparing to abandon it. Despite having "no experience as a rice planter," he begs James for employment noting that he has "a little knowledge in the management of negroes." 2p. June 10, 1863.
Letter from James B. Heyward to an unknown recipient carried by one of his overseers, C. R. Hains, who is reporting for duty. In his letter, James protests the conscription of plantation overseers into the Confederate army claiming they "have large numbers of negroes under their charge" and that "in his absence the timid become panic struck and the bold mischievous." He also argues that the overseers "by means of espionage know every thing that is going on" and that well run plantations can better provide supplies to the war cause. 4p. November 12, 1861.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news from the Bishop's plantation and his medical practice. John writes about the ongoing construction at the plantation and of a runaway slave, Emmett, who was briefly jailed but escaped. John told the overseer's son that "if Emmett should come around the plantation to tell him to come in and go to work as I did not blame him for trying to escape from prison." He also confides in the Bishop that his medical practice is on the verge of blossoming "if bigotry does not override everything." November 13, 1861. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing his attempt to secure corn for the Bishop and his negotiations with a potential overseer for one of the Bishop's properties. May 14, 1861. 4p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning preparations being made on one of the Bishop's properties. John writes that "your negroes have not yet arrived" and fears the lack of field hands and a shortage of corn may impact the season's crop. May 24, 1861. 2p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the deteriorating condition of a house on one of the Bishop's plantations and that it is too dangerous for the overseer, Mr. Buff, to continue to live there. August 16, 1861. 2p.
Receipt of note for $400 from Thomas B. Ferguson to his lawyer, Theodore Barker, to be held as security in a claim for back wages brought by his former overseer, William Dowdey. 1p. August 16, 1865.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about purchasing mules and a wagon for the Bishop's property and discusses the planting of crops. June 8, 1861. 3p.
