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
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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.
