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 letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on suffering from the "autumnal fever of the country," the city of Charleston suffering greatly from the disease, a visit from the Englishman William Charles Thomas to settle the concerns of the exiled Elias Ball in Bristol, a request for a miniature of John Ball Jr., the essays of the Pope, how John should behave while at college and the differences between English and American education. Makes the notation, 'carry in your mind that whenever a general emancipation takes place in South Carolina & Georgia you are a ruined man and all your family [connexions] made beggars."
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's studies, his "moral & religious virtue," the behavior of his brothers, the fever outbreak in the city, updates on family members and neighbors including the death of Mrs. Crafts, notations concerning various enslaved persons working as servants and coachmen, and the readiness" of the Frigate to sail "the ministers to the Hague."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Sr.'s fever, medicine, the health of the family, wanting watermelons, John Ball Jr.'s writing skills, an inquiry for John Ball Jr.'s miniature or a portrait of him in his school uniform, and the rice crop in South Carolina.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the "unhealthiness of Charleston," due to a spreading sickness, fears of physicians and family members contracting the disease, the statement that "death stalks ghastly" and that Mr. J. Cordes was buried at Briggin Church.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on letter writing, Captain Calef, the launching of the Boston Frigate, the Constitution of Massachusetts, inquiries into john Ball Jr's life at college, and on writing in Latin.
A letter from John Ball St. at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing an invitation for Captain Tilden to visit, the Charleston races, a leak under the flood gate at the mill, and Brigadier General W. Washington appointed to a command in the federal army resulting in numerous miliary promotions including that of John Ball Sr. as Major of the 2nd Battalion.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the severe winter and return of spring, leaving the country for the city, the governor "issuing proclamations for the vessels performing quarantine" due to fever, family matters, Newport, Rhode Island as a summer residence and the drowning of Mrs. John Gaillard, her husband and child while crossing the Santee River.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, John Ball Sr. suffering from a fever, family matters, the state of Jane Ball's horses, the enslaved man Peter her footman, an oration by Doctor William Reid at St. Michaels and a shipment of "hyacinth roots" and "darksupur suds."
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on not hearing from their son, inviting Captain Tilden to the plantation, and the suspension of Captain Cochran and "the brig deemed unfit "for the service required, & and the Brig General Pinckney built by Wm. Pritchard taken into service. The letter concludes by discussing a leak in the mill that has damaged business.
