A letter to Woodward Manning from his brother Ira L. Manning discussing the death of their brother John, a "rage" of yellow fever that has killed 125 people, acquiring land, crops, construction on a railroad in Alabama, and purchasing enslaved persons.
A letter to Woodward Manning from Samuel E. Hunt ordering him to "divide your crops with the freedmen and women on your plantation according to the conditions of the "Freedmen's Contract."
Articles of Agreement between John Ball Jr. and Back River Plantation overseer Arthur McFarlane. The agreement includes that $250 is paid to McFarlane, reasonings for dismissal, that McFarlane and his family are allowed hogs, poultry, one horse and the milk of one cow, to have "a boy to wait on him and a woman to cook and wash for him." The agreement also includes McFarlane "taking care of the negroes; especially when sick-treating them when well with moderation and humanity-and is on no occasion to beat them with sticks-when necessary, always to correct them with switches."
Articles of Agreement between John Ball Jr. and Back River Plantation overseer John E. Moreton. The agreement includes that $220 is paid to Moreton, reasonings for dismissal, that Moreton and his family are allowed one cow, one horse and access to the crops, allowed to raise hogs and to have one "wench" to cook and wash, and one enslaved male and female child to serve Moreton's family.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a testimonial for Elias Ball III's property, specifically the sale of a portion in Georgetown, the state of the corn crop, the "unfavorable spring" for Santee and PeeDee Plantations, and a lawsuit against John Ball.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing old schooners filled with dirt to be sunk in "Hog Island Crick" to "prevent men of war cuming up that way." However, Elias Ball III recounts that Captain Tufts, after sinking three of the four boats, was discovered, and fired upon. The other side of the letter discusses the crop at Comingtee Plantation and allowing the enslaved person Pompey to have nails to finish the garden.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing health, Isaac Ball visiting Charleston, and the crop at Comingtee Plantation.
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 Thomas Slater in London, England to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing a sickness in the Ball family, the European Magazines, the purchase of Quinby Plantation, and planting rice.
A letter from farm manager or agent named James Hull on the enslaved man Scipio bring down ducks and butter, picking peas, working in the fields and payments.
