A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. at Delta Plantation to Charles Haskell discussing Cheves' removal of his 250 enslaved persons, his fears of losing his enslaved persons to "the enemy getting a footing in our immediate neighborhood," the area in which the plantation resides being "open to occupation," and his home being used as General Drayton's headquarters.
Letters from Langdon Cheves Jr. to General Edward Porter Alexander discussing the confederate balloon, Indian rubber and other details concerning the creation of the balloon.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Pettigru & King discussing terms for Southfield Plantation. The letter includes the decision to divide enslaved persons into lots and "turned over" to Huger, Haskell and McCord.
A list of enslaved persons purchased in 1844. The names of the enslaved persons are Andrew, Betty, Ceely, Jack, Colonel, Chloe, Simon, Cain, Cudjoe, Cyrus, Mingo, Judy, Daphne, Samson, Amelia, Mary, William, Mary, Julian, Eliza, Nancy, Myra, and March.
A bill of sale for six enslaved persons sold by Jacob Waldburg, administrator of the estate of John McIntosh to Langdon Cheves Sr. The enslaved persons were sold for $5,100 and their names are listed as Hamlet, Priscilla, Wallace, Cinda, Jim, and Sandy.
A bill of sale for the enslaved woman Amey and her child Zachariah sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. from James Gadsden for $800. Gadsden is the executor of the estate of B.R. Mitchell, deceased.
A bill of sale for twenty enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from John Colclough for $7,487. The bill includes the names and ages of the enslaved men, women, and children.
A bill of sale for eight enslaved persons sold from Constantia Quash to Langdon Cheves Jr. for $4,080. The names of the enslaved persons are Minos, Dinah, Scipio, Caesar, Jenny, Jack, Rosey. and Minos.
A bill of sale for eight enslaved persons sold by John Jeffords to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $3,010. The bill includes the names and ages of the enslaved men, women and children.
A bill of sale for twenty-three named enslaved persons from the Bank of Charleston to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $8,460. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Eliza, Katy, John, Sharper, Patience, Grace, Ellen, Nat, Belly, Peridon, Juliet, Lonorn, Satyrah, Sandy, Juliet, Patty, Benah, Moses, Ellen, Louise, Hannah, Hallah, and Guy.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. at Log Hall to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing a new threshing machine, the hire of a new carpenter, the permanent hire of the enslaved men Solomon and Israel, and the purchase of items.
A bill of sale for enslaved persons from Cleland Kinloch Huger to Langdon Cheves Sr. The sale includes an exchange of the enslaved girl Mary for the enslaved girl Peggy.
A bill of sale for four enslaved persons in Savannah, Georgia from Henry K. Burroughs to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $1,150. The names of the enslaved persons are Clarissa, Jim, Dany, and Alfredo.
A bill of sale for six enslaved persons in Savannah, Georgia from John S. Law to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $2,350. The names of the enslaved persons are July, "Shumonz," Bob, Elsy, Sary, and Chloe.
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. in Pendleton on the runaway enslaved man Jim. Langdon Cheves Sr. writes about an advertisement he read in the newspaper about a "runaway, negro man who calls himself Jim" who has been imprisoned and "belongs to Judge Cheves on Savannah River." He further writes that his son should consider using "light iron" to prohibit Jim from running away again.
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. in Abbeville on sickness and an advertisement in the paper regarding the runaway enslaved man Jim owned by "Judge Cheves." He writes that his son should use "light iron" on Jim as well as hire a guard to watch over him at the plantation.
A bill of sale for seventeen enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from James Gray, Master in Equity, for $6,670. The names of the enslaved persons are Andrew, Betty, Celia, Jack, Colonel, Chloe, Simon, Cain, Cudjo, Cyrus, Mingo, Judy, Daphne, Sampson, Amelia, Mary, and William.
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. discussing a spread of whooping cough on the plantation and the enslaved man Jim who ran away. Cheves' explains that if any enslaved person runs away, they should be sought for at Guerards at New River Bridge as a few of the enslaved persons at Cheves' plantations were bought from that slaveholder.
A bill of sale for six enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from A. Magrath for $2,430. The names of the enslaved persons are Mary, Juliann, Eliza, Nancy, Myrah and March.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. asking for assistance into discovering the cause of death for four enslaved persons at Delta Plantation. The letter mentions that four enslaved persons died in the field during planting time and that due to insufficient work, the overseer was asked to "employ the necessary punishments to enforce obediency..." Cheves states that punishments included seventy-five lashes which he deemed "perfectly harmless to him and much short of what would have been generally inflicted for the misconduct of which he was guilty."
A letter to Langdon Cheves Sr. concerning the cause of death for four enslaved persons on Delta Plantation. The letter mentions a possible chronic malady as the cause rather than "improper severity" by the overseer or harm by other enslaved persons. Makes a remark that the enslaved man Charles, thought to have committed suicide, may have fallen into the canal accidentally.
An agreement between Langdon Cheves Sr. and his overseer William B. Richardson on Delta Plantation in which he promises to carry out his duties, which includes finding his own servant, a "small boy." The letter states that Richardson, his family and servants are to be supplied with bread.
A bill of sale for three enslaved people purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from the estate of Daniel Blake for $1,320. The names of the enslaved persons are Limerick, Chloe, and Bob.
A bill of sale for five enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from Robert Pinckney for $2,075. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Tom, Silvia, Betsey, Bella, and "Scena."
An agreement between Langdon Cheves Sr. and his overseer George Lynes in which he promises to carry out his duties, which includes attending to the enslaved persons in sickness.
A bill of sale for six enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Sr. from R.T. Pinckney for $3,605. The names of the enslaved persons are Carter, Cely, Billy, Tommy, Ben, and Abraham.
Two entries for the sale of sixteen enslaved persons for the "purpose of foreclosing a mortgage" from James Portell to Legrand Walker and the Bank of South Carolina. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as John, Pallace, Judy, Tommy, Lydia, Elsey, Isaac, Sylvia, Mary, Billy, Clora, Linah, Stephen, Maryann, Juno, and Ben.
A bill of sale for fifty-four enslaved persons sold by Hugh Rose, administrator of the estate and effects of Catherine Coffie, deceased. Rose sold the enslaved persons to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $14,812.75
A bill of sale for seven enslaved persons from Charles J. Colcock of the Bank of South Carolina to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $1,487.50. The names of the enslaved persons are Billy, Clora, Lena, Stephen, Maryann, Juno, and Ben.
A bill of sale for seven enslaved persons from William Smith to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $1,250. The names of the enslaved persons are Charles, Chloe, Amey, Simon, Henry, Flora, and Rosetta.
A copy of the marriage contract between Sophie Lovell Cheves and Charles Thompson Haskell listing forty-four enslaved persons that Sophie Lovell Cheves is entitled to.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the arrival of eight mules, the measles outbreak among Cheves' enslaved persons, the exemption of overseer Steven Oliver from military service, and the enslaved persons "behaving themselves quite well and are orderly and submissive." The letter ends with Haskell discussing one punishment given to an enslaved man named Sandy for beating his wife.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing Haskell returning from North Carolina where his son was suffering with an illness, the death of an enslaved person from Pneumonia, the overseer leaving the plantation, "quarrelling" among Cheves' enslaved persons and construction of additional slave cabins.
A letter from the town marshal to overseer John Oliver discussing the enslaved boy Sharper. The letter details that the enslaved boy was committed to the guard house and is owned by Langdon Cheves Jr. Sharper is described as "about twenty years of age, 5 foot 3 or 4 inches in height, of rather dark complexion, high cheek bones and 'beautiful' white teeth."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the enslaved men Sharper and Stephney. Haskell states that the men "absented" themselves from the plantation, Sharper was jailed and there is no belief they ran away. Haskell ends the letter hoping "the enemy has relinquished his attacks on Savannah."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the death of the enslaved man Sharper from Pneumonia. Haskell goes on to discuss corn, bread for the enslaved persons and their overall health.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves discussing mules, Confederate bonds, valuable papers, the purchase of 600 bushels of corn, and Cheves' enslaved persons.
A letter from William P. Carmichael to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the death of one of Cheves' enslaved persons. The enslaved person is described as "prime" and having "walk right overboard-it is supposed he was either asleep, or perhaps wanted to go to the edge of the boat..." The letter goes on to state that rescue attempts were made but "he was not seen after he fell." Carmichael concludes with a discussion on the anticipated arrival of the enslaved persons in Abbeville on rail cars and they are to "not leave the cars, as the same cars are to take them through to Abbeville depot."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the Branch Bank of Charleston, cattle, the enslaved persons petition for tobacco and fixing up their cabins, planting corn, and a cabin for the overseer.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the arrival of Cheves' enslaved persons in Abbeville, one enslaved woman arriving with a fever, bringing the enslaved persons to Turkey Hill Plantation and difficulty procuring mules.
A notice from General Thomas Drayton stating that several plantation owners have refused to remove their enslaved persons from the area as "their removal is necessary for the successful prosecution of his (my) military duties and required by the public interest..."
A letter from Charles Haskell to the Branch Bank of Charleston stating his reasoning for wanting to withdraw $5,000, which includes receiving Langdon Cheves' enslaved persons and needing to make them "comfortable."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing Haskell's willingness to "do all that is in my power to make your negroes comfortable," moving Cheves' enslaved persons to Haskell's plantation, land cultivation, and securing finances in case of attack.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Charles Haskell discussing Cheves' removal of his 250 enslaved persons due to movement from "the enemy," anticipation of a battle and "my plantation being the theatre of a part of it," the enslaved persons being consigned to William P. Carmichael of Augusta and managed by overseer Stephen Oliver, and the living conditions upon the enslaved people's arrival.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Charles Haskell discussing Cheves' removal of his 250 enslaved persons using a steamer and his anticipation of fighting occurring on Cheves' "plantation and settlements."
A bill of sale for thirty-one enslaved persons sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves from R.B. Rhett for $19,775. The names of the enslaved persons are Moses, Caesar, Sylvia, Juliet, Linda, Johnson, Katy, Carolina, Joanne, Maria, Oliver, Violet, Marley, John, Dembo, Bina, Minty, Ben, Nelly, Sampson, Betty, Sharper, Dick, Peggy, Grace, "Glasee," Tyra, Hannah, Rinah, and Hannah.
A mortgage for thirty-one enslaved persons between R.B. Rhett, Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves for $14,200. The names of the enslaved persons are Moses, Caesar, Sylvia, Juliet, Linda, Johnson, Katy, Caroline, Joanne, Maria, Oliver, Violet, Marley, John, Dembo, Bina, Minty, Ben, Nelly, Sampson, Betty, Sharper, Dick, Peggy, Grace, "Glasee," Tyra, Hannah, Rinnah, and Hannah.
A bill of sale for twenty-one enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves from Pierce Butler for $17,275. The names of the enslaved persons are Philip, Hannah, Pender, Leve, Rachel, Kate, Cuffy, Abigail, Suckey, Cuffy, Sandy, Adam, Charlotte, Lea, Sally, Maria, Lima, Clementina, Tubby, Buck, and Noble.
A letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from his sister Louisa McCord in Columbia, South Carolina discussing her resistance to purchasing more enslaved persons, the Dulles, family and finances.
A document discussing the sale of two enslaved women named Flora and Mary sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves from Alexander Verdiu.
A newspaper clipping advertising the sale of Southfield Plantation written by Langdon Cheves which includes that 170 enslaved persons live on the plantation, and it is "remarkably healthy for Negros."
A four-page unattached letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing items received, letters during Langdon Cheves Sr.'s time in Congress, statements regarding enslaved persons and a plantation book. The other pages include an account for materials, a Dr.'s bill for enslaved persons, financial business, and remarks.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing an enslaved coachman named Richard owned by his father "who does not suit him." The letter describes Richard as "large, likely athletic fellow-about 25; naturally competent either to field or house service…" The letter also proposes an exchange of Richard for another enslaved man named Jim.
A bill of sale for twelve enslaved persons sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. from William Seabrook and William McLeod for $7,800. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Isaac, Hercules, Israel, Jenny, Mary, Joe, Tim, Die, Walley, Cuffy, Nelly, and James.
A bill of sale for nine enslaved persons from Edward R. Laurens, Master in Equity, to Langdon Cheves Sr. for $3,450. The names of the enslaved persons are Billy, Judy, James, "Suaco," Clarinda, Hessy, Bess, Patience, and Jim.
