The John Ball Plantation Account Book, 1812-1834, is an indexed account book kept by overseers at various plantations owned by the Ball family. Overseers named are John Cox, Arthur McFarland, Samuel Lynes, Alexander McKnight, Britton Bunch, John Dickson, Thomas Fincklea, James Coward, and John Page. Of particular interest are two different accounts, one with William Deas, referred to as a "Mulatto" and the other "Free Nancy," a free black woman at Limerick Plantation who was buying and trading rice and sugar.
Miscellaneous Inventories, 1813-1817, is a bound volume kept by or for a member of the Ball family. The volume includes inventories of furniture, kitchen ware, clothing, and other household decorations such as candlesticks, bookcases, shades, looking glasses and crockery. The volume also includes a list of enslaved men, women and children divided by families.
John Ball's Office of Discount Deposit Book, 1803, is a bound volume kept by John Ball Sr. recording finances for various persons including members of the Gadsden, Prioleau and Ball families.
A letter from John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing a delayed visit due to rain, and the departure of the enslaved woman Phyllis from the rectory (believed to have gone to Comingtee Plantation) with the hope that "she might be at liberty to idle away." The letter goes on to discuss an earlier situation with Phyllis breaking the Ischudy's rules regarding "servants" eating breakfast and dinner. Due to her behavior, Ischudy writes that Phyllis was whipped with a "chincopen switch" and gave her "five or six cuts upon the shoulders." He ends his letter stating that Phyllis "has not been ill treated" and wishes for John Ball to punish her if she arrives at Comingtee Plantation.
A tax return for Elias Ball III that includes acres of swamp, pineland and 246 enslaved persons at Comingtee, Strawberry Ferry and Limerick Plantation.
A tax return for Elias Ball III for acres, pine land, two carriage wheels, 246 enslaved persons, four enslaved persons at the property of Miss Ball and eighty enslaved persons under the account for John Moultrie Jr.
The will of John Gough which includes the sale of land to pay off debts and the division of his enslaved persons. Three enslaved men named Little Quash, Hercules and "Bruker" are left to his son Richard, one enslaved girl named "Jubah," daughter of Silvia" to his son Edward, two enslaved women named Phillis and Jubah's children Hannah and Billy to his son Neal and one enslaved girl named Betty to his son Francis.
The last will and testament of John Ashby in which he divides his estate among his family. John Ashby leaves his wife Elizabeth an enslaved woman named "Soua" and her two children, Quash and Hannah.
A copy of the appraisement made at Back River Plantation which includes eighty-six enslaved persons. The list includes the valuations of the enslaved persons as well as the notation that the enslaved person Jackey is a driver. The remaining information for the appraisement is for household furniture, cattle, linen, tools, seeds, and grains.
A land indenture of two Childsbury Town lots conveyed to Isaac Child by John Skinner for forty-six pounds. The two properties are located near Mulberry Street and Church Street. The second page of the indenture is a statement by Mary Skinner agreeing to the release of these properties to Isaac Child.
A 1791 plat of Old Field Plantation in St. John's Parish by surveyor John Purcell. The plantation is stated to have originally belonged to Francis Huger but is now the property of John Ball Esq. The plat includes adjacent areas such as lands belonging to Samuel Bonneau, a part of "Childsburry Common" and lands owned by Elias Ball III.
The division and valuations of Jane Ball's enslaved persons among her sons John Ball Jr. and Isaac Ball upon the death of their father John Ball Sr. The enslaved persons live at Kensington Plantation and are divided into lots for each brother.
A land indenture from John Ball Esq. to his son Isaac Ball releasing a lot to the north of Elliot Street on Charleston Neck. The front of the document is a statement by William Roach in which Martha Ball, husband of John Ball, agrees to release the lot to her son Isaac Ball.
A power of attorney document stating that Matthew Bryan of Netherton in England appoints John Ball from South Carolina his attorney. Matthew Bryan outlines attorney responsibilities which includes overseeing all financial accounts in the United States.
A land indenture from Ann Ferguson and Judith Wragg, representatives of the deceased John Wragg, in which they agree to sell John Wragg's estate on the Charleston Neck to John Ball Jr.
The last will and testament of Elias Ball I in which he leaves Comingtee Plantation to his son Elias Ball II, tracts of land referred to as Dockum Plantation, land known as "Eveleigh's Land," the enslaved man "Sambo" and Lot No. 49 in Charlestown to his son John Coming Ball, money and the remainder of a lot in Charlestown to his daughter Eleanor Laurens, and a pew to his children at St. Phillips Church.
A land conveyance of one-sixth part of 840 acres from Elias Ball II and Lydia Simons Ball to their daughter Catherine Simons. This conveyance includes "all the houses, outhouses, woods, underwoods, timber and timber trees…" found within this portion of land.
A land conveyance of a plantation to Elias "Red Cap" Ball in Berkeley County. The conveyance grants Elias Ball and his family freedom of "hawking, hunting, fishing & fowling" on the property.
A marriage settlement between Keating Simons and Eleanor Wilson which includes Wilson's entitlement to enslaved persons, household furniture, plates, and money. The enslaved persons, referred to as "negro slaves" are named Daniel, Tom, Sarah, Jenny, Nanny, Margaret, Stepheny, Judy, Amy, Lucy, George, Christmas, Philip, London, Hannah, Violet, Sam, Pino, Jacky, Pompey, William, Charles, Matilda, Jacob, Nancy, Jenny, Hannah, Sarah, "Baleso," and Abigail.
Survey of Midway Plantation owned by John Ball Esq. The survey shows locations of rice fields, canals, dams, floodgates, pinelands, reservoirs, banks, the settlement situated on high land, roads, and "Lanneau's Ferry" also known as Lenud's Ferry.
An indenture between Richard Dennis, William Calhoun, Robert Flemming, and John Williamson for the sale of a lot of land on the south side of Hasell St. in Charleston, South Carolina.
Survey of 1,200 acres of land formerly owned by Thomas Stanyarne on the west side of the Cooper River. Mepkin Plantation is mentioned as an adjacent property.
A financial account for Jane Ball which includes expenses for tape, a scrubbing brush, toothbrush, tea, biscuits, loaves of bread, a chafing dish, butter, ducks, eggs, and a goose.
1770-1779, 1780-1789, 1758, 1760-1769, 1800-1809, 1810-1819, 1790-1799, and 1759
Description:
A list of enslaved children born between 1758-1817. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their date of birth and occasionally, the name of their mother and father.
A deed of gift from Elias Ball II to his granddaughter Elizabeth Bryan for the enslaved girl Rinah. Rinah is referred to as the daughter of a "wench called Binah."
A list of enslaved persons owned by Elias Ball II at Kensington and Comingtee Plantations. Information includes the names of the enslaved persons and date of birth.
The division of enslaved persons owned by Judith Ball. Information includes the names of the enslaved persons, their valuations, and the notation that the enslaved boys Almanza and Bob were exchanged.
A list of ninety-one enslaved persons owned by John Ball. The reverse side of the document contains lists of enslaved persons above fifty years old and under the age of twelve.
A list of enslaved children born between 1758-1763. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their date of birth and occasionally, the name of their mother and father.
A list of enslaved children born at Comingtee and Stoke Plantations. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their mother, and their current age.
A document transcription of dialogue between a "Mr. Learned" and Dr. Franz Joseph Gall on phrenology, a pseudoscience primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules.
A copy of the rules of St. John's Post in which participants establish basic agreements establishing a weekly postal service. A list for all benefactors of the service are included at the end of the document.
Articles of Agreement between John Ball Jr. and Back River Plantation overseer Arthur McFarlane. The agreement includes that $250 is paid to McFarlane, reasonings for dismissal, that McFarlane and his family are allowed hogs, poultry, one horse and the milk of one cow, to have "a boy to wait on him and a woman to cook and wash for him." The agreement also includes McFarlane "taking care of the negroes; especially when sick-treating them when well with moderation and humanity-and is on no occasion to beat them with sticks-when necessary, always to correct them with switches."
Copy of the last will and testament of John Coming Ball naming John Ball of Kensington Plantation and Elias Ball of Limerick Plantation as his executors, giving the "negro man Nat his freedom and all my wearing apparel," the enslaved women Hagar and her daughter Charlotte their freedom and that Charlotte should be given an education and "placed out" as an apprentice when she comes of age, the enslaved driver Jackey (son of Lucy) his freedom, and bequeaths to Mrs. Wilson any "negro girl" among the enslaved females.
Articles of Agreement between John Ball Jr. and Back River Plantation overseer John E. Moreton. The agreement includes that $220 is paid to Moreton, reasonings for dismissal, that Moreton and his family are allowed one cow, one horse and access to the crops, allowed to raise hogs and to have one "wench" to cook and wash, and one enslaved male and female child to serve Moreton's family.
A list of questions to ask the ordinary made by John Ball in preparation for writing his will, which is also included. Questions include those for advertising, the appraisement of former enslaved persons that are emancipated, and the cattle at Jericho Plantation.
An account of cattle from the joint stock that the enslaved persons Plimoth and Sambo had, the cattle at Jericho Plantation, and Mrs. Wilson's, and Miss Nelly's stock. Makes notation that the enslaved person Cupid was sent up to Jericho Plantation to count the joint stock.
A list of cattle from Kensington Plantation that includes oxen, cows, calves, and bulls. The document also includes a list of cattle that died or was killed, and cattle specifically from Hyde Park and Jericho Plantations. Makes notation that an ox was killed for "Negroes Christmas."
Benjamin Slade's affidavit relative to his drawing of John C. Ball's will that discusses the Holy Evangelists, Justice of the Peace Stephen Ravenel, and the division of the late John C. Ball's personal effects between the children of Jane Ball and Eleanor Wilson
Confirmation from Charles Lining of the Ordinary's Office confirming that John Ball is the executor of the last will and testament of John Coming Ball.
A list of enslaved men, women and children belonging to Ann Ball purchased from the estate of John Ball. Persons are priced as family units and includes valuations.
A tax return of John Ball's taxable property made out and paid to Theodore L. Gourdin. The tax returns include tide swamps, pine land, 459 enslaved persons in St. John's Parish, fifteen enslaved persons in the parish of St. Philip's, 260 enslaved persons at Comingtee/Stoke Plantation, 102 enslaved persons at Kensington Plantation and ninety-seven enslaved persons at Midway Plantation.
A memorandum from John Ball for the estate of John C. Ball which added a plantation, paid off debts, delivered up to 138 enslaved persons and 130 acres of land near Jericho Plantation. Makes notation that out of the 138 enslaved persons, there were fifty more than was originally appraised.
A list of tools given out to enslaved persons which includes axes, saws, chisels, and knives. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Jericho Joe, Jericho Guy, Pino, Isaac, Casar, Cupid, Brass, Daniel, and Natt.
A list of plates delivered to M.C. Ball belonging to the estate of John Ball Sr. from the Kensington house, Marshland farm, and a house on East Bay Street in Charleston.
A diagram of the "Plain Scale." The horizontal axis is labeled "inclinations of meridians" and vertical axis is labeled hours. Various geometric shapes and lines such as chord, rhombus, tangents, secants, semi tangents, longitudes, and latitudes are drawn within the "plain."
A copy of a conveyance of land from John Ball and his family to the vestry and church wardens of St. John's. The document expresses the desire of the late Elias Ball, to provide a residence for the Episcopal Church that consists of sixty-three acres of land. Included in the conveyance is the notation that the Ball family can carry away marl and lime, fish on the banks and borders and that their "servants and slaves" are able to pass and return from the area.
Information on the purchase of the plantation on Back River which includes enslaved persons bought at a sale, number of acres and the notation that eighty-six enslaved persons are on the property, specifically twenty-six men, twenty-eight women and thirty-two children.
A bill of sale for nine enslaved persons from executor Robert Guerin to Elias Ball III for $5,040.60. The names of the enslaved persons are Pompey, Robin, Harry, Will, Stephen, Dido, Judy and two children Peter and Dolly.
