A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing family matters, his friend Isaac Wilson leaving Scotland back home to "the land of Liberty and Equality," William's desire to travel to Paris to learn surgery and preparing for graduation.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing his final exams in medical school, the dangers of traveling to France, and discussions of health and diseases.
A copy of a letter from John Ball Sr. to financial agent George Lockey discussing the purchase of Lockey's Santee property, traveling to Georgia to see "the tide lands" for potential bargaining, and John Ball's son William.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing enslaved runaways in the neighborhood, putting together a patrol of overseers and the enslaved persons Scipio and Ned to find these supposedly armed runaways. The letter goes on stating that the runaway named Morris tried to kill Scipio with a sword and the other runaway named Adam had a gun. Finklea ends with the death of the enslaved woman Amey and the poor health of various enslaved persons, that Morris was shot and injured and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the plantation fields, the enslaved man Pompey informing Finklea about a location where sheep were being butchered, Young Daniel having been found guilty of the butchering and "flogged," having Daniel "in limbo" but flogging him each day and night until he confesses who helped him, notes about the enslaved persons Old Dido, Stoke Violet, Ben, "Jerico Jack," Sander, Tenah, and Young Primus, and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Comingtee Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the crowded houses on the plantation, placing the enslaved women and children in the sick houses, Coward's disappointment in his work, the cooper "Midway Marcus," a burnt child, the work of the enslaved persons Phyllis, Caesar, Benjamin, young Stephen, the health of "Monemah's" child at Kensington Plantation and the enslaved persons Boris, Driver Jack, and Cate.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing a shipment of butter, the planting of slips, an issue with the carpenters Robert, Tom and Gabe, having Tom punish Gabe for lying, a list of enslaved persons who are sick and an inventory of cattle.
A copy of a letter from John Ball at Comingtee Plantation to Limerick Plantation overseer Stephen Herren reprimanding Herren's disappearance when Ball visited the plantation to divide the enslaved persons. The letter goes on to discuss the consequences of Herren not being present, whether he respects his duty as overseer and Herren going against the rules concerning the enslaved persons, specifically enslaved children, and Old Simon.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the harvest, the birth of an enslaved male child, numerous enslaved persons suffering from a fever, the poor weather, and the work of Jack, Rachel, Daniel and Sena.
A letter from J. E. Holmes in Charleston to Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation on advertising the sale of the "plantation and negroes", the potential hindrance the crops would have on the sale, their advice that Ann Ball should not maintain control over the entire estate for her own well being, and selling the enslaved persons first.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to Ann Ball in Charleston discussing the enslaved persons Rachel, Sena and Jack sending over supplies, the poor health of Old Nat and Sena, and having the enslaved person Gabe "switched."
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the arrival of shingles, the plantation's crops, London's request for raw tallow and Vilet and Betty's shoe measurements.
A torn letter written by Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing leaving town, the "poor Dyana" who is ill and unable to nurse and having items sent from the store to the plantation.
A torn letter written by Edward Simons to his brother-in-law John Ball discussing his sister Lydia's desire to "call on" for her shoes and to have them sent up by the enslaved man Ben, sending "Mol" to purchase cakes, shipping papers and soap, and the wellness of other family members.
A copy of the last will and testament of Lydia Child Ball in which she states to "give and dispose of all such slaves & there respective issue," a bond of one thousand pounds to John and Nicholas Harleston, the enslaved man Ratcliffe and the enslaved women Amey to her daughter Catherine Simons, the enslaved man Sam to her son and a list of executors she appoints to carry out her will.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing "the sickly season," the health of the family, those suffering from the "prevailing fever" also referenced as yellow fever or "black vomit," the conditions of the rice and cotton crops, the Regiment of Artillery, and an inquiry into the parties John attends at school.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, his "moral & religious virtues," Sullivans Island being "flocked" by people, the cotton and rice crop, the upcoming feast hosted by Uncle Ball, and updates on family members.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Allston's poem at college, that John has "grown very fat," Mr. Williams contracting a disease, the "nature of man," the family leaving for the winter, and the Battalion of the 30th Regiment under John Ball Sr.'s command.
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 letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's health, the hot weather in Charleston, the "prevailing epidemic," and the marriage of David Dubose to his cousin.
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 Professor E. Pearson at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Jr.'s standing at the university including his absence due to sickness.
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 torn letter from John Ball to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing how John should interact with his peers, especially women, while at school.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing Old Stepney arriving with letters from Aunt Waring and Ann Ball's mother, and their son Keating experiencing indigestion. The letter discusses the enslaved woman Binah who while performing the washing, walked off in. Ann Ball believes Binah was traveling to Comingtee Plantation to complain to John Ball. The enslaved woman Renah approached Ann Ball proclaiming that two white men had brought Binah back from the road and that the house towels were dirty. Ann Ball proceeds to write that in the drawing room she "whipped her across the shoulders two or three times- her astonishment almost made me laugh and so trifling was the punishment that persons in the next room knew nothing of it." The letter proceeds to state that Binah was brought to the workhouse where Ann Ball requested she be held in solitary confinement. The remainder of the letter discusses Mr. Lucas purchasing horses and Ann Ball's health.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the weather, a visit from Hammond, the behavior of Mr. McKnight, the election of a new overseer, "negro" houses, Ann Ball's declining health, a reference for an overseer from Ann Ball's brother, a visit from Mr. Brennan and his son, a remedy of whiskey and cayenne pepper for Adonis, Mordicia's hurting arm, the impending arrival of Ann Ball's parents, and keeping Dublin in Charleston longer than was planned.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing Comingtee and how badly it has been conducted, sending harnesses by boat, directions for Dublin, a visit from Ann Ball's sister and her family, their son Keating being ill, Mr. Pinckney's reply to the governors letters, the birth of Eliza's child, Dublin discussing the illness of "Little Ned," and the health of the family.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the health of their son Keating, Eliza and her newborn child, placing Sylvy in the kitchen at the present time, Mary having been in the kitchen previously during Eliza's absence but is now sick, visits from Isaac Ball, Mr. Pinckney's horse throwing him off and suffering leg injuries, and Scipio returning from his rounds.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the arrival of a boat, hurricane type weather, her parent's poor health, Ann Ball's own suffering with an "oppression at my chest," trouble with the enslaved persons at Limerick and Midway Plantations, and the poor health of "Lewis's Little Keating."
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing John Ball's trouble with his "gang of negroes" at Midway Plantation and how they complained to Eliza. Makes notation, "let me entreat you my Dear John not to be tempted to anything like cruelty." The letter goes on to discuss Ann Ball's concerns over feeling the effects of her own "house people," the health of her parents, their children and family friends.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing her concerns over the weather, her mortification at the behavior of their eldest son, her own health, bringing Nancy to the doctor to treat her finger, and an arrival of strawberries.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the improved health of her mother, a family visit, and sending supplies by boat.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing their brother Isaac's relationships, William's love for a "certain young damsel in Charleston," and other family matters.
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the plantation crops, the notation that Moses "went off" for receiving fifteen lashes, an enslaved person suffering from venereal disease, shoe measurements, and a list of enslaved persons at Quinby Plantation.
