William H. W. Barnwell, from Laurel Bay Plantation, writes to friend Edgar Day in Catskill, New York. After 4 years without correspondence, Barnwell apprises Day of his marriage, the birth of his first child and his religious conversion during a revival in Gillisonville, SC. He also speaks of forming a local temperance society and hopes to establish "one upon my plantation among my Negroes." January 18, 1832.
Letter from John W. Chambers to James B. Heyward concerning his slave, John, the body servant of James' deceased son Nathaniel. Captain Chambers writes that sending James' servant to Richmond is problematic because of the heavy travel on the rail route and that "it is with difficulty a white person can engage a passage and any servant would be compelled to walk." 1p. November 1, 1862.
List of 118 slaves, (location and exact date unknown), numbered in pen and an additional 12 duplicate names listed at the end in pencil. The list was perhaps compiled as an inventory of property after the death of Nathaniel Heyward (1766-1851). 3p.
Memorandum for purchase of Fife Plantation by Nathaniel Heyward (III), James B. Heyward, and William Henry Heyward from Daniel Heyward Hamilton. The memorandum declares the property will be jointly held by the three and all monies made will either go back into the plantation for operating costs or to pay back the principal and interest of the loan. In addition to the property and slaves of Fife Plantation the Heywards purchased an additional forty slaves from the estate of "Mrs. Hamilton." 3p. January 7, 1852.
Detailed notebook with lists of slaves and cloth (in yards?) assigned to them at Rotterdam, Myrtle Grove, Hamburgh and Copenhagen Plantations from 1850 -1852. Also includes lists of "Blankets to Infants" and "Blankets to young negroes". 17p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to an unknown recipient carried by one of his overseers, C. R. Hains, who is reporting for duty. In his letter, James protests the conscription of plantation overseers into the Confederate army claiming they "have large numbers of negroes under their charge" and that "in his absence the timid become panic struck and the bold mischievous." He also argues that the overseers "by means of espionage know every thing that is going on" and that well run plantations can better provide supplies to the war cause. 4p. November 12, 1861.
Bill of sale for slaves between Charles Heyward and James B. Heyward. James purchased, for $550, the slave "Phoebe and her daughter Charlotte." 2p. August 7, 1851.
Short list of the number of slaves at Rotterdam and Hamburgh Plantations in 1852 delineated by trade, i.e. field hand, carpenter, waterminder and waggoner. 2p.
Small booklet with the names of slaves and the carpenter's tools assigned to them on a yearly basis from 1853-1858 (cover of booklet lists 1852). There is no mention of the plantation but the slave names match several on the list of Fife Plantation slaves (no. 117). 16p.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Zion Parsonage, to sisters, describing the rural nature of the parish he will minister near Columbia and inviting them to visit and assist him in setting up housekeeping in his new cottage. In addition to a servant provided by the parish, Barnwell has been given one of his father's servants, "Aleck the little". October 14, 1856.
List of Field Slaves for Hamburgh, Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Myrtle Grove Plantations in 1854-1856, designated by sex and full hand, half hand, etc. 26p.
Letter from C.R. Hains to James B. Heyward concerning the accidental? shooting of one of James' slaves, Sam, at a Mr. Perkins' house some months earlier. 3p. January 21, 1855.
Bill of sale between F.H. Wagner and James B. Heyward for $2000 for five slaves. The slaves sold were Glasgow, age 30, his wife Mary, age 27, and their three children. 2p. January 23, 1856.
Bill of sale between William Yates and James B. Heyward for $900 for "a certain negro woman named Sally with her male Infant" both "warranted sound and healthy." 1p. January 28, 1856.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell at the family plantation, Laurel Bay, to father, William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell writes of schooling his younger siblings and reports on the status of the plantation. January 15, 1853.
Bill of sale between Thomas R.S. Elliott and James B. Heyward for $5220 for the "Negro Slaves, Judy, July, Luna, Chumont, Rose, Felise and Simon." 2p. February 5, 1857.
Ledger for Vernizobre Bank construction (bank termed as a repair to a river) ca. 1860, including entries dated 1859. Ledger itemizes expenses associated with the building of Vernizobre bank and includes payments to various landowners for use of their slave hands and carts. 4p.
Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, Charleston, about temperance speeches he has been attending and the increase in local support for the temperance cause and lists family members who both support and oppose it. August 16, 1847.
Letter from Edward Barnwell Heyward to James B. Heyward telling James that he is moving all his father's slaves from Combahee and Pocotaligo to Wateree, SC, for safety. He offers James some land nearby to move his slaves to and "rough it out" a while with him. His plan includes putting all his father's slaves in a camp in the woods "out of the wind, and driving rain, plenty of firewood, and dry ground." 8p.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to brother, William H. W. Barnwell, about his travel plans and the last will of their recently deceased sister, in which William was bequeathed $5000. Robert tells William that the amount is enough to clear his debts and the sale of his slaves is now unnecessary, though he still encourages William to do so, writing, "at Laurel Bay they cannot support themselves and will inevitably be exposed to the dangerous temptations of idleness." February 18, 1833.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing visits to Bay Point and their family plantation, Laurel Bay, near Beaufort. Barnwell writes of a large devil fish caught off Bay Point and informs his father of the status of the crops and slaves at Laurel Bay. July 18, 1851.
Letter from E.C. DuBose, writing for Captain Chambers, to James B. Heyward concerning Nathaniel Heyward's body servant. Lt. DuBose writes to James that "your Boy John is with us" but that it wouldn't be safe to send him on "without some white person as the whole country is over run by straglers (sic) and he may be taken up." 1p. October 7, 1862.
Letter from Daniel Heyward Hamilton to James B. Heyward about the loss of James' son, Nathaniel, and the plans to return Nathaniel's body servant to James. Daniel writes that his own son was wounded by his side in a previous engagement. 3p. October 25, 1862.
Letter from Capt. Edward Barnwell, Combahee, to daughter, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, in Charleston. Edward asks Catherine to look after her little sisters when they visit Charleston and writes of his plans to see Marquis de Lafayette should he stop in Beaufort. March 9, 1825.
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 to William H. W. Barnwell extracting details of the estate of their late sister. Barnwell writes, "the fall is bringing back all of our friends to Beaufort, but she comes not." October 27, 1846.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, concerning a trip from Charleston to Beaufort. Robert details a bout of seasickness while traveling, reports on the status of his parents' and grandparent's plantations at Laurel Bay and Keans Neck and relates family news from Beaufort. August, 1847.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing him that Myers' medical exemptions for service have been revoked and he "will soon leave for the army of Tennessee." He offers James the service of his overseer, Pagett, writing that the slaves "will be much better pleased with him I think than they at present are" claiming their current overseer, Rawlinson, "has endeavored to predjudice (sic) them to him." 2p. November 28, 1863.
Agreement between Frank Myers and James B. Heyward for $4000 for the tenancy of his slaves and the use of 500 acres. 2p. September 25, 1863. (oversized)
Mortgage for personal property between Susan S. Keith, William Henry Heyward and James B. Heyward using a slave named "John" as collateral. 3p. August 7, 1863.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to James B. Heyward concerning granting power of attorney to satisfy some mortgages while one of the parties involved is in Charleston. Mortgages include several slaves and Fife Plantation. 2p. October 8, 1863.
Itemized account of Gerhard Muller, MD, from May to December, 1862, outlining the specific medical care, with costs, of the slaves of James B. Heyward and William Henry Heyward. 2p. Issued June 6, 1863.
Bond detailing the purchase of a slave from Susan S. Keith to William Henry Heyward and James B. Heyward. The slave, "Joe", was purchased for $2315. 2p. June 1863.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to John P. Meau concerning the assessment for the Confederate Tax of 1864. Letter includes an exhaustive inventory of slaves, acreage, types of crops, etc., for several Heyward plantations including Fife, Myrtle Grove, Rotterdam and Hamburgh. On one unnamed Heyward plantation in St. Peter's Parish, William Henry Heyward writes, "in consequence of the proximity of the enemy the greater portion of this land has been abandoned." 4p. September 24, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward in Columbia to Dr. D.W. Ray, trustee for the late owner whose land James had verbally agreed to rent. James is anxious to move his slaves there for safekeeping but is worried the trustee had no knowledge of the agreement between James and the recently departed owner. James also mentions that he must hasten back to the low country "as my property there is in peril from the proximity of the enemy." 2p. December 19, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward reminding him that only he should receive the rent for the properties Heyward is leasing. 1p. September 7, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing Heyward that he cannot accept a clause Heyward wants inserted in their rental agreement. 1p. October 3, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward inquiring if he intends to rent for next year "the place now occupied by your negroes." 1p. August 21, 1864.
Christmas day letter from James B. Heyward back at Combahee to Maria Heyward in Columbia. In his letter, James is reflecting on the dire situation and the bleakness of their future believing soon "it will all be over and we shall be reduced to a poverty irretrievable." He struggles with what to do with his slaves given the eventual "scarcity of food" and "depreciated currency." He intends to leave the majority at his plantation but expects to bring up to Columbia "John's wife so as to take from him that temptation to running off." He writes that he will also bring "Mary if she will leave her daughter Molly...I don't value Mary so much as to saddle myself with the support of Molly." 10p.
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.
Pages from a larger volume with slave names, births, and deaths. The incomplete volume lists scores of slaves from unnamed plantation(s), including the births and deaths of their children. 20p.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell requesting items from mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell also asks that she give him the right of first refusal if she decides to sell any cotton.
Catherine Osborn Barnwell writes her mother from Laurel Bay plantation where she describes how she is the "principal" of the house in her mother's absence.
Letter from Catherine Osborn Barnwell to mother with family news from Beaufort. Included is a note from her younger brother, Charles Mathews Barnwell, written with the assistance of Catherine.
