A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, the Charleston races, the rice business, a ball at the St. Thomas Club House, and the weather in South Carolina and Massachusetts.
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 to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of rice and meat, the poor health of Jane Ball and John Ball Jr. submitting to "the arbitrary laws" of Harvard.
A letter from Jane Ball to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's improving health, family matters, and a marriage.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on Captain Tilden still missing, Jane Ball's painful fingers, the advice from doctors to cut off her fingers and her fears of "the amputating knife," the poor health of Uncle Bryan, and an update on John's brothers.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on leaving Charleston, his brothers attending school, Mr. Bryan suffering from "a slow fever," John attending a dance at school, and that Captain Tilden has not been heard from.
