A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, John's arrival in Massachusetts and the status of his luggage, John Ball Sr. suffering from "the fall fever," the death of Mr. John Cordes at Pine Ville, and advice to John Ball Jr. to wear warm clothing during the winters for fear of getting consumption.
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 Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, the library at school, certificates from Mr. Osborne and Doctor's Buist and Purcell, and advice that anything John Ball Jr. hears at someone's house is "sacred" and never told outside of that house.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts inquiring into his passage to Massachusetts, and the belief that John Ball Jr. is a good child and she wishes for him to pursue "the paths of strict virtue and honor." Jane Ball ends the letter discussing the poor health of Mrs. Scott and her request for John Ball Jr. to write more frequently.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the family relocating to the country for winter, and inquiry on "Allston and Wainwright" from South Carolina at the college. The letter concludes with John Ball Sr. asking about sites in Boston such as Bunker Hill, the dome of the new state house and the methods people use to keep warm in Boston during the winter.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing their fears of John Ball Jr. getting yellow fever in Boston, Uncle Ball sick with fever, John Ball Jr.'s friends "Allston and Wainwright" at university, John attending class with "67 scholars," and the importance of an education.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the death of Mr. John Cordes from "fits" at Pine Ville, and the poor health of Dr. McCormick.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Sr. being in the country, John Ball Jr.'s friend Archer Lord on the verge of death, John's school vacation in Newport, Rhode Island, Jane Ball attending "Cato, a Tragedy" performed by students from the seminary where there were no female characters due to the boys "thinking a female character too trifling."
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing how John must pursue the "paths of virtue & knowledge," the weather in Charleston, the death of Doctor McCormick's son William, Isaac Ball shooting arrows, and John Ball Sr. spending time at Midway Plantation.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the poor service of the post office, a "malignant" fever outbreak in Boston, inquiry into John Ball Jr.'s voyage across the water to Massachusetts, and advice on proper behavior while in school.
