A letter from the accommodation wharf Cart, Kopff & Jervey to William Ball discussing the quality and value of rice from John Harleston's plantation. Makes notation, "how are you getting on with the freedmen?"
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing Lockey's and William James Ball's passage to England, the start of William's schooling, and a blockade in Europe.
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to Mary thanking her for a package she sent, his poor health and treatment from a doctor, and reflections on a party during the Christmas season. The letter goes on to discuss the Christmas of the "good old days in slavery time, thanks to Mr. Lincoln" and that two servants remain in the household as they "never left us."
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts inquiring into John Ball Jr.'s passage to Massachusetts, the death of John Ball Jr.'s colt, and advice on how to avoid "evil company" who partake in "drinking, gaming and the company of lewd women." The letter goes on to write that families would rather have a relative die to "cover the infamy of the family" than have a relative partake in drinking and gaming, using an example of Doctor B's son who gave "himself to drunkenness" and died.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the family's passage to Charleston, Jane Ball's health, numerous deaths from sickness and the burial of Col. Darrell of the Artillery.
A letter from Thomas Slater in Frenchay to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing the shipment of the European magazine, the death of Isaac Ball's daughter Eliza, the improving health of Thomas Slater's daughter Emma and financial accounts.
A four-page unattached letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing items received, letters during Langdon Cheves Sr.'s time in Congress, statements regarding enslaved persons and a plantation book. The other pages include an account for materials, a Dr.'s bill for enslaved persons, financial business, and remarks.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing travel, john Ball Jr.'s health and John leaving school due to sickness.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing money, the winter in Scotland, yellow fever in Charleston and that "our medical men have never attempted the cure of it by the affusion of cold water." The letter goes on to state William's opinions on finding a cure for yellow fever, and the birth of a baby boy between John Ball Sr. and his second wife Martha Taveau.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing old schooners filled with dirt to be sunk in "Hog Island Crick" to "prevent men of war cuming up that way." However, Elias Ball III recounts that Captain Tufts, after sinking three of the four boats, was discovered, and fired upon. The other side of the letter discusses the crop at Comingtee Plantation and allowing the enslaved person Pompey to have nails to finish the garden.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston on receiving supplies, the dry weather, the rice crops, and a request for supplies.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey to John Ball Sr. discussing the purchase of Lockey's Santee property and enslaved persons. The other side of the document lists the number of acres and that 150 enslaved persons live on the plantation.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing that week's paper, word from Mr. Lauren's on how the army is helping drive General Washington over the mountains, the belief that General John Burgoyne's army was taken, the fleet of Commodore Biddle, the price of rice, and various notations regarding the Commons House of Assembly.
A letter from farm manager or agent named James Hull on the enslaved man Scipio bring down ducks and butter, picking peas, working in the fields and payments.
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops and fields, a request for more mules and a saddle, and a statement on Peggy.
A letter from Ann Ball at Lewisfield Plantation to her parents John Ball Jr. and Ann Simons Ball discussing her sister Jane's headaches and her little brother Keating.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing that he sent Elsie and Thomas down with butter, the birth of an enslaved child, the rice crops and fields, a list of sick enslaved persons, the work of Scipio and Bristol, Billey and Tom each having a sore hand and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the death of Marcia due to "inflammation of the womb," the death of Elsey's child, the poor health of other enslaved persons, work on the rice crop, and a list of items sent by Bob and Sena.
A letter from Mary Lamboll Beach to her sister Elizabeth Gilchrist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania discussing the Denmark Vesey trial, money and business.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing how the enslaved people who were sick are better, making bushels of oats and hogs on the property.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing crops, a sickness on the plantation and resistance from enslaved persons, particularly females, following Stephen's departure. Makes notation that the enslaved person Toney came back and has not been punished. According to Toney, Stephen tricked Toney to travel with him, only to be told later on that Stephen, who was supposedly armed, was taking his family to the "Yankees" and that Toney needs to come with them. Toney eventually was able to leave and return to the plantation.
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 and crops. Makes a notation about the enslaved person Toney from Chicora Wood Plantation who returned from the "yankees." The overseer believes Toney and his family should be sent to North Carolina as he does not wish to have him sent to the military.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of pocket and neck handkerchiefs and letters from Isaac and William Ball written in Latin and French. The letter ends discussing John Ball Jr.'s health.
A copy of a letter written to John Clark Esquire of Providence, Rhode Island from John Ball Sr. discussing cheese, a request for fish, and money for John Ball Jr.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the health of the family, the corn, potatoes and rice crops at Kensington and Midway Plantations, and the health of Beck's child.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the corn and rice crops, harvesting the oats, and castrating a colt.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing health, family matters, and a statement concerning an "unhappy prisoner" and his execution.
A letter from Thomas Slater in Frenchay to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing the shipment of the European magazine, the death of John Moultrie, and the improving health of Thomas Slater's daughter Emma.
A letter from John Ball in Newport, Rhode Island to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing seeing John, his recent sickness, and the poor health of the family due to the change in climate.
A letter from Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation to her husband John Ball in Charleston discussing a visit from Mrs. "Tourner" and Mrs. Laurens, the cook Eliza "grunting and walking lame," word from Midway Plantation that Binah's son Pompey, living at Pimlico Plantation with his wife, has been sick, that "Little Judith" is suffering from a cold, and memorandums.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops, the enslaved persons Elick, Paul, Pompy and Jimmy.
A letter to Eliza Laurens from an unidentified writer discussing the dangerous state of Mepkin bridge, the beginning of repairs and the writer's desire to have Eliza Laurens assist.
A letter from power of attorney William Blacklock in Charleston, South Carolina to Matthew Bryan in Yorkshire, England discussing business and accounts paid.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Comingtee Plantation to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing Isaac's fever and sending the enslaved man Plimouth to visit Isaac to receive news of his health.
A letter from Thomas Slater in Bristol to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing European magazines, a coronation, a financial account, the production of crops, Isaac Ball's "father's widow" and the "steps" she has taken on account of the children, and potentially spending winter in Charleston.
A letter from John Ball in Newport, Rhode Island to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, the improving health of Jane Ball, a rotten potato crop, and the poor health of Aunt Simons.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Jr's letter writing, his request for his son to read "Popes Letters" and Pliny, a visit from Captain Tilden, John's school expenses, and John Ball Sr.'s advice regarding dating.
A list of 145 enslaved persons divided by Friendfield and Point Plantation as well as adults, children and house people. The list, created for tax purposes, details which enslaved persons received clothes, blankets and shoes as well as jobs of specific enslaved persons. Makes notations that the enslaved person Minta was dead and that Washington was killed in a storm.