Writing to Edgar B. Day, William H. W. Barnwell discusses his religious thoughts including the notion that freeing slaves from the bondage of sin is more important than freedom itself. April 24, 1832.
William H. W. Barnwell writes to Edgar B. Day about his less than pious youth, his progress in taking religious orders, being called to Pendleton, SC, to preach and the religious instruction of his slaves. He comments that his "Northern Brethren,would not revile me for keeping as bondsmen in the flesh, those who I am striving to make free in the Spirit." June 28, 1832.
William H. W. Barnwell writes to Edgar B. Day about the death of Day's cousin, the one year anniversary of his conversion and the state of religion in South Carolina. September 3, 1832.
Letter from William H. W. Barnwell to Edgar B. Day discussing the religious conversion of family members and mutual friends. Barnwell also touches upon slavery and the religious instruction of slaves, writing that "our religious friends at the North form mistaken views of us at the South on this subject." November 7, 1832.
William H. W. Barnwell writes to Edgar B. Day about the religious conversion of mutual friends, his busy ministry in Charleston, the plans to build a new Episcopal church in Charleston and recent anti-abolitionist riots in New York City. August 11, 1834.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to brother William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell writes about his summer in Beaufort, the inheritance of 25 negroes from "Cousin John's" estate, and the intention of the local planters to hire a "Rev. Webb" to attend to the "parochial charge of their negroes." August 28, 1837.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to William H. W. Barnwell asking for his help in locating a catechism "for the religious instruction of Negroes" that he has displaced. He also informs William of the Episcopal Church in Beaufort's recent contributions to Rev. William Boone's mission in China and asks that Rev. Boone publish "some specific statement" as to the prospects of his success given that so much money has been contributed from South Carolina. May 20, 1846.
Letter from Elizabeth Barnwell Fuller, Beaufort, to brother William H. W. Barnwell, Charleston. Fuller writes of the death of a Rev. Lowrie in China, the work on a translation of the bible in Chinese by Bishop Boone and others, and local missionary work dedicated to religious instruction "for the negroes." She also hints of some tension between William and other clergy members and suggests that he be more conciliatory in his language. January 26, 1848.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Laurel Bay Plantation. Barnwell writes of the well-being of the family, the health and spiritual training of the servants and neglect of the livestock by the slaves, and requests his mother to send a pineapple from Charleston to be served as dessert for an upcoming dinner party. January 22, 1853.
