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 his brother Ira L. Manning discussing the weather, the building of a mill, the sale of the enslaved man named Sam and the mortgage taken out on him, and a deal for purchasing Sam's wife in exchange for "old negroes."
A deed of gift from Lewis Coward Sr. to his son Lewis Coward Jr. consisting of a plantation, cattle and one enslaved woman named Dina and her child Peter.
A letter to Woodward Manning outlining articles shipped to him by a steamer. The writer makes a notation that he has not found an enslaved person that meets the qualifications Woodward Manning has asked for and that "very few negroes have been in market, and they are selling at high prices."
A letter to Woodward Manning from the Quartermaster's office ordering that any surplus of corn available is to be given to the army through purchase or impressment
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."
A letter to Woodward Manning from the headquarters of the provost marshal's office discussing complaints made against Woodward Manning and his treatment of his "servants."