Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Philadelphia. Barnwell writes of the agreeable time recently spent in Newport and Providence among friends and acquaintances of his father, William H. W. Barnwell. October 6, 1851.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing his arrival back at South Carolina College after the summer holiday and the resumption of his studies. October 9, 1851.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, discussing his standing in his class and mentioning a petition from students at the University of Virginia to join a "Southern Rights Association." February 3, 1851.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to brother William H. W. Barnwell remarking on errors in "Traditions and Reminiscences Chiefly of the American Revolution" by Joseph Johnson regarding their father, Robert Gibbes Barnwell. Barnwell also writes of a disappointing planting season at his plantation and at William's plantation, Laurel Bay. October 20, 1851.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing how illness has prevented him from sufficiently studying for his upcoming examinations. June, 1852.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, congratulating him on the birth of another child. Barnwell also describes the increase in strictness under President Thornwell at South Carolina College. January 22, 1852.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his recent hair cut and noting the creation of a committee at South Carolina College to investigate the quality of food on campus. ca. 1852.
Short letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to brother-in-law William H. W. Barnwell, Beaufort, informing him of a purchase of cartwheels. December 22, 1853.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Boston, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing his expenses during his long summer traveling with his father. October 2, 1853.
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.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her of the success of his examinations and his plans to meet his father in Philadelphia. June, 1853.
Letter from Edward Barnwell at Niagara Falls to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell. Barnwell describes riding over a wire bridge into Canada and taking a steamboat to the base of the falls. He alludes to a recent accident in which a man "held on 22 hours" to a snag in the river and details their plans to travel on to Montreal, Quebec and New York City. July 31, 1853.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell at Laurel Bay plantation, to father, William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell describes an eventful trip to Beaufort with his siblings, comments on his continuing education and the schooling of his siblings, and reports to his father on the status of the plantation's cotton crop. January 22, 1853.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Philadelphia while traveling with his father. Barnwell describes his Aunt's house fronting a public square and tells of their plans to travel next to Cape May, New Jersey. July 4, 1853.
Edward Barnwell, having transferred from South Carolina College to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about the room he has rented near campus. Barnwell describes the university and the city as being "against credit" and asks that money for his full tuition and expenses be sent at once. February, 1853.
Partial note from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her that he and his father have arrived in Lake George, NY. August 6, 1853.
Letter from Edward Barnwell at the University of Virginia, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, at the family plantation, Laurel Bay, near Beaufort. Barnwell discusses the recent jailing of two fellow students including one who shot another man. According to Barnwell, most students "are in the habit ...of going armed" a practice he calls "blackguard and cowardly." Barnwell relates his plans for travel in the summer months and laments not going to the recent inauguration of Franklin Pierce. March 30, 1853.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing the difference in examinations between South Carolina College and the University of Virginia. March 5, 1853.
Partial letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his travel through the German Rhineland. Barnwell writes of visiting the ducal palace of the House of Nassau in Biebrich and its elaborate greenhouses and gardens and describes visits to the spas of Wiesbaden and the tourist sites of Worms. April 22, 1854.
Short letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, apologizing for being unable to send her things to Beaufort in a timely fashion due to his work at Mr. Hubert's counting house. May 4, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, in Beaufort enclosing stamps and informing her of a shipment of rice being sent to "Capers Landing". April 5, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to sisters informing them of an unexpected trip to New York he is making to escort the children of his boss, Mr. Hubert. September 27, 1854.
Short note from Edward Barnwell to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, requesting his books and noting "the balls are progressing" in Charleston. February 9, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, in Beaufort. Edward writes of his hesitancy to visit King St. at night to pick up items requested by his family in Beaufort and asks his sister to help him get to the bottom of an unnamed rumor involving him. February 22, 1854.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, inquiring about family in Beaufort and informing her of his plans to have tea with friends "to see some Northern Girls." January 26, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell in Philadelphia, to father, William H. W. Barnwell. En route north for his European trip, Barnwell writes of visiting Washington, DC, touring the Patent Building and U.S. Capitol, securing his passport and meeting Senator Butler of South Carolina. February 3, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing Fourth of July in Charleston and his plans to travel to "the island" to escape the summer heat. July 5, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, discussing clothing, salt, cigars and other items he is sending in his near weekly shipment to the family in Beaufort. August 24, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to brother, William Finley Barnwell, concerning an old gun, family news and other items he wishes William to pass along to their father. September 7, 1854.
Edward Barnwell writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, about his employment in Charleston. After a brief stint with Coffin & Pringle Co., Barnwell has taken a more advantageous position with commissions merchant, Mr. Hubert. Barnwell also mentions a smallpox outbreak that has hit Charleston and the countryside and notes a bad reaction his brother, Robert Woodward Barnwell, has had to the smallpox vaccination. Barnwell suggests having his father's "little negroes" inoculated as well if enough vaccine can be found. January 19, 1854.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about his weekly trips to the "Island" to escape the summer heat in Charleston and begs his mother to continue sending him melons from Beaufort. July 27, 1854.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, in Beaufort. Barnwell writes that his boss has travelled to the north leaving him and another man in charge and thanks his mother for the shipment of melons from Beaufort. July 20, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to aunt, Martha Ann Mathews, from Offenbach am Maim, Germany. Barnwell writes of studying German before his entrance to a university and describes his Sunday travels to Frankfurt to attend an English church. April 28, 1854.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing his visit to Salzburg, Austria, and his increased competency with the German language. October 6, 1854.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to his father, William H. W. Barnwell, about advice and gifts he has received as he prepares for a trip to Europe and alludes to a painful end to his father's ministry in Charleston. January 26, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Philadelphia, to sisters. Barnwell describes touring Philadelphia with his cousin, Nathaniel Barnwell Fuller, as they wait to travel to Europe and gives a physical description of the two as noted in their new passports. He also writes of making inquiries with a Naval Commander about ship timber in the hopes his father can make a deal to sell Live Oak lumber from South Carolina. February 8, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, to father, William H. W. Barnwell, discussing his preliminary preparations for a trip to Europe and his brother Edward's attempt to find employment at "Mr. Huberts office" in Charleston. January 19, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to unnamed aunt. Barnwell discusses the start of his German education, including his efforts in avoiding American and English acquaintances to better immerse himself in the language, and describes the sorrow he feels for how hard German women have to work without servants. 1854.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing the difficulty of learning Hebrew during his studies in Erlangen, Germany, and discussing his plans for his final months in Europe.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Erlangen, Germany. Barnwell explains that he left the university in Berlin because of the high cost of living and that the university in Erlangen afforded him a better opportunity to learn Hebrew. Pictured on the stationery is a view of Erlangen that Barnwell has marked with the approximate location of his apartment there, a room over a tavern. April 27, 1855.
Incomplete letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to unknown describing his plans for Christmas in Germany and the pride he feels for his siblings' accomplishments back home. December, 1855.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, telling her of his preference for Beaufort women compared to the women he has met in Germany. May 7, 1855.
Partial letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, in Erlangen, to unknown correspondent describing the state of Christianity and theology in Germany. Barnwell also discusses his attempt to impart his knowledge of contemporary American political science but concedes that "slavery is a topic which cannot be understood, which everyone talks about but which I generally excise myself from speaking upon." 1855.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing a lawsuit Edward has brought against a Mr. Brown concerning his lost dog. Barnwell mentions a lecture by William Makepeace Thackeray in Charleston and the death of Mrs. James Gadsden, who has bequeathed money to his father. February 7, 1856.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Zion Parsonage, to father, William H. W. Barnwell thanking him for the gift of his servant "Aleck the little" and discussing possible future plans for his younger brother, William. October, 1856.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing his activities as he prepares for his job as professor at South Carolina College. Barnwell writes of purchasing the cook and maid of outgoing professor, Dr. Francis Lieber, "partly [out of] comfort" and partly to relieve Dr. Lieber from "parting with slave property in the usual way of public sale." 1856.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Erlangen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her of the opening of the Librarianship at South Carolina College and his desire to apply for the position. 1856.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother and sister, both Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell describes the cuisine in France and the cessation of all work during meals and notes the success he is having in securing orders for cotton. August 3, 1857.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, while visiting France on business. Edward describes the French countryside and the wealthy "spinners" he has met while seeking purchasers for sea-island cotton and mentions seeing Napoleon III. 1857.
Letter from Elizabeth Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing her stay in Columbia with her siblings at their older brother's house. Barnwell writes of getting free tickets to see a performance of the "Lilliputian Band", a group of five "little negroes", and comments on her brother's kitchenware, including a description of a chafing dish heated with camphene. ca. 1857.
Elizabeth Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, with news from Columbia and South Carolina College. Barnwell describes the events surrounding the shooting death of a man by James H. Rion that probably prevented Rion from being elected a professor of mathematics at the college. November 24, 1857.
Esther Hutson Barnwell, Columbia, writes to sister, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell tells Catherine of an upcoming "club" meeting where members take turns reading Byron's "Bride of Abydos" and describes a recent dance party she and their brother, William Finley Barnwell, attended. April 22, 1857.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, discussing his professorial duties at South Carolina College and updating her on the status of his siblings who are living with him in Columbia. He also mentions South Carolina histories written by William James Rivers, David Ramsay and William Gilmore Simms and some investigative work he is doing for his father concerning their ancestor, John Barnwell. Attached is a letter from his brother, William Finley Barnwell, describing Robert's endless study habits. March 25, 1857.
Letter from former college classmate, George McWillie Williamson, to Robert Woodward Barnwell, comparing South Carolina and Louisiana ladies and how the "democratic" political climate in Louisiana differs from the "aristocratic" nature of South Carolina. June 19, 1857.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing the politics surrounding his reelection as professor at South Carolina college. June 19, 1857.
Short letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to brother-in-law William H. W. Barnwell, Beaufort, about a request concerning saw mills and a search for manure. March 24, 1858.
Elizabeth Barnwell writes to an unknown correspondent about the social scene in Columbia and news at the South Carolina College, and describes a performance by musicians Sigismond Thalberg and Henri Vieuxtemps she attended in Columbia. 1858.
William Finley Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, discussing his studies at South Carolina College and requests she send him a ham, turkey or "a pair of fowls" he can share with his classmates. ca. 1858.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to brother, Edward H. Barnwell, from Charlottesville, VA. Robert writes of visiting Edward's alma mater at the University of Virginia and alludes to an offer of employment at the College of William and Mary. July 23, 1858.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Charlottesville, VA, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing a trip to Virginia with his wife, Mary. July 23, 1858.
Letter from William Finley Barnwell at South Carolina College to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, thanking her for a box of food. Barnwell adds that a recently injured eye might prevent him from doing well on his upcoming examinations. ca. 1859.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his preparations for another term as professor at South Carolina College. September 24, 1859.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about a washing machine he has purchased for her and includes a recipe for soap. He also informs her of a calf he is sending via his servant "Aleck" and tells her to "let the negroes know that if it is missing, I will have every one on the plantation punished." 1859.
Letter from William Finley Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing the fear he felt in giving a public speech wearing borrowed clothes. February 27, 1860.
Invitation to the wedding and reception of Edward Barnwell and Harriet B. Hayne. Written on the back of the invitation is a note from Harriet stating "Invitation to my wedding 1860 Found in 1910." Enclosed are printed cards bearing the couples' names. November, 1860.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, offering his opinion on the particulars of his younger brother Stephen's education and describing the vegetable garden he has planted. April 19, 1860.
William Finley Barnwell, recently stationed at Fort Johnson, SC, writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, asking for clothing and other supplies. According to Barnwell, his pay as lieutenant is "over a thousand dollars including servant & food" though few supplies have been sent to the fort. January 28, 1861.
William Finley Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from his station on Sullivan's Island. Barnwell writes about the need of supplies, cloth, needles, etc., his plans for using his pay and the daily anticipation of a fight with the federal troops. April 4, 1861.
Letter from Ann Barnwell Mazyck to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her of her safe arrival in Columbia. Attached is a short note from her brother, Stephen Elliott Barnwell. ca. 1861.
Letter from George M. Coffin, Charleston, SC, to Robert Woodward Barnwell, Charlottesville, VA, on a variety of war time topics. Coffin mentions Barnwell's letter concerning the "Legion" that appears in the Charleston Courier, acknowledges his relief efforts in Virginia and asks Barnwell to forward aid packages to his friend, Dr. Samuel Logan, who is suffering from typhoid fever in western Virginia. September 26, 1861.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, of his plans to spend his summer vacation in spiritual work with the Confederate Army, specifically at hospitals near Manassas, VA, where he hopes to bring along a "Corps of Lady nurses." June 28, 1861.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, discussing the nomination of his brother, William Finley Barnwell, as 3rd Lieutenant in the "1st Company of Infantry" and detailing the politics surrounding his appointment. William, Barnwell writes, has been ordered to Fort Johnson to take charge of new recruits. January 25, 1861.
Undated letter, ca. 1861, from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell mentions his distaste for "soldiering" and asks his mother to send "Moses" back to him writing, "he has had holiday enough." ca. 1861.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, believing the assault on Fort Sumter is imminent. Barnwell thinks his brother, William, will see little action from his post on Fort Johnson. 1861.
