A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the enslaved men Sharper and Stephney. Haskell states that the men "absented" themselves from the plantation, Sharper was jailed and there is no belief they ran away. Haskell ends the letter hoping "the enemy has relinquished his attacks on Savannah."
Records consist of letters containing daily reports submitted by Assistant Engineer F.M. Hall at Fort Sumter to Major W.H. Echols, "Chief Engineer, S.C." at Charleston, South Carolina.Reports (Dec. 17-Dec. 23) concern work on fortifications being done by slaves and soldiers as well as small administrative and military matters.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, fears that Captain Tilden is lost, snow in South Carolina, the price of wood, and that "Old Plenipi is dead."
A letter from Catherine Edwards to John Ball at Kensington Plantation requesting an explanation over the "ill will" directed towards her from the Balls upon her attempt at visiting.
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the weather, Jane Ball's health, an outbreak of measles in Charleston and small pox at Midway Plantation, the inoculation of forty enslaved persons, a publication from Doctor Waterhouse on diseases, and the death of cattle due to a drought.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing their brother Isaac's relationship with Miss Conny, classes at university, joining the medical society, and a brief discussion on William's trip to the Scottish Highlands.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to financial agent George Lockey discussing money for his son William at University of Edinburgh, the belief that war will break out, John's brother suffering from a fever and a worm damaging the plantation crops.
