A letter from Elias Ball II at Comingtee Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of cattle, the health of Edward Simons, a fight John had with Bob Simons resulting in a black eye, and the health of Elias Ball III's "house wench."
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing traveling to Newport, Susey's boys and her financial struggles, the health of citizens in Charleston, and a publication on the number of deaths in the city for whites and blacks. The letter ends discussing the deaths of the P.M. Parker, the newly elected assistant rector of St. Philip's Church and Cousin Corbett's son Tom.
A torn letter written by Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing leaving town, the "poor Dyana" who is ill and unable to nurse and having items sent from the store to the plantation.
A torn letter written by Edward Simons to his brother-in-law John Ball discussing his sister Lydia's desire to "call on" for her shoes and to have them sent up by the enslaved man Ben, sending "Mol" to purchase cakes, shipping papers and soap, and the wellness of other family members.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Allston's poem at college, that John has "grown very fat," Mr. Williams contracting a disease, the "nature of man," the family leaving for the winter, and the Battalion of the 30th Regiment under John Ball Sr.'s command.
A list of 152 enslaved persons. Notations include the first names of each enslaved person, their role on the plantation and the name of their parent(s).
A sale of 103 enslaved persons owned by William Conway, declared by the high court of Chancery of the Kingdom of Great Britain to be a "lunatic." All enslaved persons, cattle, sheep, and land were sold to Charles William Rogers from Commissioner Benjamin H. Buckner for $6,000.
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. in Pendleton on the runaway enslaved man Jim. Langdon Cheves Sr. writes about an advertisement he read in the newspaper about a "runaway, negro man who calls himself Jim" who has been imprisoned and "belongs to Judge Cheves on Savannah River." He further writes that his son should consider using "light iron" to prohibit Jim from running away again.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.