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.
List of various plate and silver items belonging to the estate of Joshua Lazarus. The list also includes items belonging to Edgar M. Lazarus, son of Joshua Lazarus, and Minnie Lazarus, wife of Edgar M. Lazarus. The list also includes the value of each item.
Letter from A. J. Samson to James B. Heyward notifying him that he has been elected an honorary member of the newly formed association of Charleston area survivors of the 1st regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. The association aims to help comrades still suffering from the war and to preserve the regiment's history. 1p. March 10, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies and carpenters for Dean Hall and a load of lumber received from the plantation. 2p. April 11, 1866.
Letter from James B. Heyward to William C. Bee seeking a partner in planting Myrtle Grove Plantation. Heyward alludes to an 1854 hurricane that has damaged the long term rice yield at Myrtle Grove but hopes with sufficient capital and his one year of "experience in management under the present system" that a profitable crop of rice could be realized. 4p. November 11, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall. McBurney alludes to problems Ferguson is having with the lack of good labor and discusses cotton and rice options for the next planting seasons. 6p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney acknowledges Ferguson's letter regarding the theft of a mule from Dean Hall and sends Ferguson supplies and laborers. 2p. June 12, 1866.
Second letter of June 12, 1866, from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney writes that Ferguson's brother thinks the mule thief will cross the river at "Bacon Bridge" and head towards Adams Run and suggests that Ferguson go to "the neighborhood of the 18-mile" house to offer "John Donnelly" a reward if he can capture the thief. 1p.
