A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing education, health, money, and sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston to assist John.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing hunting with his brothers, the Christmas holiday, and Scottish religion.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rainy weather, the rice crops, a shipment of butter, and a request for items.
A letter from Catherine Edwards to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing mortification of what happened at Limerick Plantation with the enslaved persons. The letter goes on to state that the enslaved driver was busy and therefore, the cause of "the trespass." The letter ends with Edwards writing that the enslaved persons "deserve punishment."
A letter from Eliza Laurens at Mepkin Plantation to Mr. Simons and Mr. Ball discussing her desire to have Mepkin bridge repaired and sending her overseer with orders for the repairs.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing the birth of a baby in John's family, other family matters, and the observation that many inhabitants in Edinburgh have a wooden leg due to sickness.
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."