Letter from Stephen Elliott Barnwell, Valdosta, GA, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing his escape from the Union troops who captured Jefferson Davis, in whose entourage he was traveling. Barnwell describes pretending to take a bucket to fetch water for his horse before fleeing into a swamp and leaving his horse and possessions behind. Before fleeing, Barnwell "took the liberty of bidding the Pres goodbye -- and expressing as briefly as I could my admiration for the firmness and pertinacity with which he stuck to the good cause -- with which he seemed well pleased." June 11, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson repeating the contractual terms for the hired hands McBurney is sending to Dean Hall Plantation. 4p. December 13, 1865.
List of property identified by Thomas Ferguson from two homes on East Bay and Broad Street in Charleston, SC. The note gives Ferguson the right to reclaim the named items. 2p. July 13, 1865.
Receipt of note for $400 from Thomas B. Ferguson to his lawyer, Theodore Barker, to be held as security in a claim for back wages brought by his former overseer, William Dowdey. 1p. August 16, 1865.
Diary of Magdalen Elizabeth Wilkinson Keith for the years 1865-1868. Concerns mostly life at home, and activities of family and friends. Mention of Charleston railroad stretching downtown.
Letter to James Heyward from J.H. Trapier concerning ideas about crops and livestock for their various properties. Trapier suggests giving the newly freed laborers a stake in the crops grown, noting that he got the idea from a book on "European Agriculture" and that the practice had worked well in Germany. He mentions the difference in labor required for field crops versus the "special cultivation" skills needed for rice propagation. Finally, he asks James for a copy of a blank "Petition for pardon" claiming the hand crafted one he had sent earlier might be rejected because of his refusal "to surrender my ideas in reference to State Sovereignty." 4p. August 18, 1865.
Written request to T.B. Ferguson from John J. Darcy for payment to James Soughen, with confirmation from Soughen of payment received. 2p. September 18, 1865.
Document noting a pledge of allegiance to the United States government under the Union of the States signed by Emily Minis following the end of the Civil War.
Meeting minutes not included in the minutes book discussing the amalgamation of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and Shearith Israel, and finances related to synagogue repairs.
A letter from a committee from Shearith Israel (here spelled "Sherath") congregation asking the KKBE Board of Trustees to use their synagogue for the "approaching holidays."
General orders letter signed by General Joseph E. Johnston regarding the Military Convention between General William Sherman and General Johnston which resulted in Johnston's surrender.
Confederate Medical Examiner's note regarding an examination of Edgar M. Lazarus. The note states Lazarus suffers from myopia. The surgeon recommends Lazarus be on "permanent detail" and states he is unfit for field duty. The note is signed by Dr. Robert Lebby.
Confederate Medical Examiner's note regarding an examination of Edgar M. Lazarus. The note states Lazarus suffers from myopia. The surgeon recommends Lazarus be on "permanent detail" and states he is unfit for field duty. The note is signed by Dr. Robert Lebby.
Note to the Army Medical Examining Board from two surgeons regarding an examination of Edgar M. Lazarus and suggesting him "unfit for field service" due to his myopia, also referred to as nearsightedness.
Certified list from Thomas Ferguson of articles belonging to James Ferguson at two Charleston, SC, residences. The list is signed by the Provost Marshall, Levi Stuber, head of the U.S. military police controlling Charleston. 1p. August 3, 1865.
Letter from Freedmen's Bureau agent F.M. Montell to Lt. James Hann concerning the former slaves still residing at Dean Hall Plantation. Montell writes that Thomas Ferguson wants the freedmen removed "as they have no rights to reside on the plantation after the division of their crops" and that he doesn't want "to have the bad example of idle men" influencing his future hires. Montell also writes of several cases of small pox on the plantation and asks the lieutenant for military help to resolve the situation and provide the "care and attention which the Freedmens Bureau have not the means of affording them." 2p. November 21, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson informing him that he is sending "8 Irishmen" to Dean Hall Plantation "with six spades and three long handled shovels." 4p. November 19, 1865.
Update from F.M. Montell of the Freedmen's Bureau to Capt. Hodges concerning the removal of former slaves still residing at Dean Hall Plantation. 2p. December 19, 1865.
Third certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 1p. June 26, 1865.
Offer from Williams Middleton to rent his Charleston house to James B. Heyward. Middleton writes that "although still in the hands of the Yankee officials I am in daily expectation of having it restored to me." 1p. October 28, 1865.
Record of transactions at Bennett's Mill, Charleston, concerning the sale of 1185 bushels of rice. The miller's receipt was apparently used in support of Thomas Ferguson's petition to be remunerated for the seizure of his father's rice. 5p. May 30, 1865.
Letter from Gabriel Edward Manigault to James B. Heyward describing the enormous changes that have occurred in Charleston "since the new regime" took over. He laments the loss of his servants and writes that, given the economic stagnation of the times, "I see nothing but starvation staring the negroes in the face." 4p. May 22, 1865.
1865 Petition of Thomas B. Ferguson to General John Hatch, commander of the Northern District, Department of the South, for the return of a large quantity of rice which was confiscated from his father, James. Of an approximate 7000 bushels of rice, Ferguson has been able to locate only 1185 bushels which were transported by the sloop "Julia" to Bennett's rice mill in Charleston. Ferguson's petition makes the plea that the rice "is the only means his father has for supporting and subsisting a large family. 3p.
1865 Petition of Thomas B. Ferguson to General John Hatch, commander of the Northern District, Department of the South, for the return of goods confiscated at the plantations of his father, James. 3p.
1865 Letter, exact date unknown, from R. Felker to Mr. Heyward giving him a list of cotton weights and an update on the search for Mr. Heyward's lost hogs. 2p.
Memorandum between Thomas B. Ferguson, William McBurney, John J. Darcy, Michael Darcy, and John O'Mara to repair the engine and boiler of the rice mill at Dean Hall Plantation. 5p. August 23, 1865.
Printed circular from the War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned lands, concerning the confiscation of property in the "insurrectionary States" with detailed instructions on how said lands can be restored to the previous owner. 3p. September 28, 1865.
Letter from William Whaley to William McBurney instructing him that "the negroes planting at Dean Hall" should repair a broken floodgate and permitting the manager (Thomas Ferguson) to use his former slaves, "such of mine as are [still] on the plantation," to assist. 2p. October 25, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson acknowledging that he is granted authority to act in the stead of McBurney and William Whaley on all matters pertaining to Dean Hall Plantation and mentions a controversy over logging that was occurring there. He also mentions that Whaley has had his Edisto property restored to him and wants all his "people to be ready to move." 2p. October 21, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney affirming Thomas B. Ferguson's authority to manage Dean Hall Plantation. He encourages Ferguson to show patience "in dealing with the negroes" and fears that any other treatment "may cause the buildings to be laid in ashes, as was the case in my late brothers place." He informs Ferguson that "Mr. Whaleys negroes have the right to remain on the place until January if he does not remove them before, or they do not remove of their own accord." 2p. October 23, 1865.
Written agreement between Dr. S. H. Sanders and James B. Heyward for Sanders to hire Heyward's "prime negro labourers" for "thirty bushels of corn per head." The agreement further stipulates that it will be voided if Sanders "should be disturbed by the enemy." 2p. April 29, 1865.
Certified statement from a miller at Bennett's Mill concerning the purchase of rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p. June 26, 1865.
Certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p. June 20, 1865.
Second certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p. June 23, 1865.
Stephen Elliott Barnwell, James Island, writes to brother, Joseph Walker Barnwell, informing him that he can obtain forage at the arsenal in Columbia. February 8, 1865.
Letter from Eliza Fludd to Catherine Osborn Barnwell describing the conditions in Charleston and her belief that God is punishing the Confederacy for its sins. January 4, 1865.
Letter from Stephen Elliott Barnwell, James Island, to brother, Edward Barnwell, referring to talk of the fall of the Confederacy and the morale of the troops. Barnwell reports on the intelligence of 4 deserters who arrived in their camp who claim the Union is confident that the Confederacy is "on its last legs." February 4, 1865.
Black-and-white offset print reproduction of the interior of the Grande synagogue d'Alger (Great Synagogue of Algiers), on the occasion of the synagogue's inauguration. From the Illustrirte Monatshefte für die gesammten Interessen des Judenthums, Volume 2.
Oath of Allegiance signed by Minnie (Rachel) Mordecai Lazarus, wife of Edgar M. Lazarus, which states she will abandon all allegiance to the Confederate States of America.
Black-and-white wood engraving depicting the Judengasse, the Jewish ghetto of Frankfurt am Main. Wood engraving by E. Graeff u. Engel after a painting by Anton Burger. Published in Die Gartenlaube, Heft 36, 1865.
Amnesty Oath certificate stating Edgar M. Lazarus had taken the oath and filed a petition for pardon under President Andrew Johnson. The certificate also states that Lazarus' petition had been approved and his pardon recommended to the President.
Amnesty proclamation signed by Edgar M. Lazarus stating Lazarus is exempt from benefits under the proclamation only under the 13th clause. The proclamation also requires Lazarus to fully support the Constitution and the Union of the States.
Note regarding Edgar M. Lazarus taking the oath under President Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction signed by Nathaniel E. Ladd.
Black-and-white offset print reproduction of the exterior of the New Synagogue in Berlin. Published in the August 16, 1865, edition of L'Univers illustré.
An engraving of the Fifty Fifth Massachusetts Regiment parading through Charleston in 1865. A white solider on horse back rides alongside them as a crowd cheers on. In the background are the ruins of Charleston.
Black-and-white offset print reproduction of the exterior of the synagogue in Leobschütz (Głubczyce). Published in Über Land und Meer, Jahrgang 8, Band 15, Heft 7.
![232. Receipt of payment by Thomas B. Ferguson to E. F. Benedikt [Benedict?] -- 1865](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/26567/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![244. Receipt from T.B. Ferguson to [first name?] Gaillard -- July 8, 1865](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/25167/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
