Letter from Samuel Wragg Ferguson from West Point to his godmother. He writes about the mild winter at West Point this season, a rash of recent cadet accidents and his longing to be "warmed by a Dockon fire." 5p.
Letter from William McBurney in Charleston to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation concerning the hiring of freedmen. McBurney writes that after a survey of other Cooper River plantation owners he finds that most are offering a share of the crop instead of monthly pay "whether from a want of ability to pay wages or because they believed an interest in the crop would secure a more steady course of labor and prevent stealage." McBurney informs Ferguson that he has written up a contract and submitted it to General Scott at the Freedmen's Bureau for acceptance. He fears the general will alter his submitted contract in favor of the former slaves and writes that officials in the bureau think the "freedman and the white northern laborer" are the same. 2p. February 1, 1866.
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.
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.
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.
Lengthy contractual agreement between Thomas B. Ferguson and the freedmen and women workers at Dean Hall Plantation. The contract, approved by the Freedmen's Bureau, outlines the conditions of employment for the freedmen including, "comfortable quarters" and one acre of land, monetary penalties for unexcused absences, ten hour work days, and rules concerning tools, work animals and plantation upkeep. One term in the contract, crossed out, specified that the freedmen were to receive one-half of the entire crop though it was amended later to one-third. 4p. February 20, 1866. (oversized)
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies for Dean Hall Plantation and a mix up with an order for a mill through Cameron Barkley & Co. He also writes about the labor contract created with the freedmen at Dean Hall and tells Ferguson he should be the first to sign the contract kept at the Freedmen's Bureau and that "the one to be retained should be signed by the Darkies first." 4p. February 21, 1866.
