A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she implores him to supply the enslaved people on their plantation with meat, milk, tobacco, and textiles to discourage them from escaping. She also updates him on their acquisition of a farm and Greenville and the general economic state of the town.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Robert Pringle of Great Britain to his Charleston relatives in which he explores their genealogical connection. He encloses a family tree, a list of marital dates, and a newspaper clipping to explain the family history.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Susan Pringle Alston to her aunt, Rebecca Hayne, in which she describes Union troops and newly freed people raiding and robbing houses while her family was in Plantersville at the end of Civil War. She expresses concern for similar things occurring in Columbia and Darlington, South Carolina.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles Alston, in which she describes the Union attack on Morris Island on July 10, 1863, and details her plans to leave Charleston the next day, including arranging a delivery of osnaburg fabric. She also states that Vicksburg has fallen.
A handwritten, one-page letter from H. A. Desaussure to Charles Alston in which he finalizes the sale of 11 East Battery and encloses an abstract of the title of the lot, which lists each owner since it was first granted to Margaret Hobson in 1694 until purchased by Charles Alston in 1838.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she arranges the arrival of six enslaved people in Greenville. She also advises him on the management of their house in Charleston and warns him to not allow enslaved people to travel without the accompaniment of a white person so as to prevent their impressment.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she writes of her efforts to find an affordable house in Greenville. She also discusses the Civil War and rumors of enslaved people escaping plantations. Attached to this letter is a note that further specifies houses available to purchase.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Lewis R. Gibbes to Alexander Glennie, in which he discusses botany, requests a trade, and inquires about Glennie's regularity in recording readings from the barometer and thermometer.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Henry Augustus Middleton Smith to Charles R. Allen in which he responds to his inquiry about renting 21 East Battery. He admits that he would rather sell the residence but needs to do repair work to it and asks what rent Allen would like to pay.
A handwritten, five-page letter from Maria H. Middleton to her cousin, Susan Alston, in which she updates Susan on her health and asks for information about Susan's life in Charleston.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Arthur Middleton to William Henry Drayton, signed "Andrew Marvells," a pen name he often used. Within the letter, he discusses current events involving American loyalists, such as the trial of John Dunn and Benjamin Boote and the actions of George Walker and Thomas Fletchall. He also discusses military matters, including the oath of allegiance, commissions, and the rumors of George Washington's success.
A handwritten one-page letter in which William Blake informs Arthur Middleton of his upcoming journey to Cedar Grove plantation and expresses his wish to consult with him and William Rutledge about a matter of land.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she discusses her situation in Greenville and her continued search for a house. She writes of her concerns about the Civil War's effect on their finances and house in Charleston; in addition, she lists the names of enslaved people that she brought with her to Greenville (Zilpah, Winnie, Brown, little Thomas, John, Venus, Johny).
A handwritten, four-page letter from Susan Alston to her father, Charles Alston, in which she describes their work setting up the farm in Greenville and complains about the soaring cost of living in the town. She also relays the story of the Seven Days Battles in Virginia, blaming General Huger for the Union's escape.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Higham, Fife, & Co. to Charles Alston in which they inform him that his order of Old Sherry has arrived in Charleston. At the bottom of the letter, a receipt details the $393.23 cost.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Marie Larmande to Susan Alston in which she informs Alston about the social season in Paris, including events hosted by Spanish and American people, and various details of her personal life.
A handwritten, three-page letter from William Alston Hayne to his cousin, Susan Pringle Alston, in which he shares details about his time in Mexico and California. He also included a Morro Rock, which is near his residence in San Luis Obispo.
A one-page handwritten letter from J.J. Fraser to Charles Pringle Alston in which he thanks him for his correspondence about the life of Joseph and Theodosia Burr Alston and informs Alston of his plans for preserving his letter.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Joseph Alston to his father, Charles Alston, in which he describes his efforts to manage the newly freed people at their plantations and rent out the Alstons' store following the Civil War.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Harriott Ravenel to Susan Alston in which she discusses the difficulties of life after the Civil War. In particular, she writes about the difficulty of keeping newly freed people working for their family and the status of various relatives.
A typed, one-page letter from Henry Augustus Middleton Smith to F.M. Robertson, an insurance agent, in which Smith informs him that the furniture at 21 East Battery has been moved out of the main house and into the "coach-house and stable" on the property. He also mentions that Susan Alston's caretaker continues to live in "the yard" at 21 East Battery.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles Alston, in which she requests his opinion on the division and sale of enslaved individuals. She also updates him on her situation in Greenville, South Carolina, and requests provisions such as salt, which she believes will become much more expensive if Charleston falls to Union forces.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she informs him of a rumor that the Confederate authorities plan to send all enslaved people to Charleston. Emma expresses her disapproval of this and encourages Charles to only send certain people if he cannot avoid the command altogether.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she describes the issues of crowding and food scarcity in the city of Greenville. She requests that her husband send barrels of rice to them and instructs him on the management of enslaved people such as old Molly, young Molly, and Fred.
A handwritten, six-page letter from Joseph Alston to his sister, Susan Alston, in which he describes a large hurricane hitting Georgetown, South Carolina, which flooded many plantations and plantation homes.
A handwritten, fourteen-page letter from Joseph Alston to his father, Charles Alston, in which he updates his family on his experiences being stationed at Battery Wagner during the Civil War. He also brings news of his brother, John Julius Alston, and his actions during battle.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Welsh Brothers to Charles Alston in which they inform him of the status of his order and include a 60 days sight clause.
A handwritten, three-page letter from William Bull Pringle to his sister, Emma Alston, in which he relays his encounter with Governor Pickens regarding his son, Charles Alston Pringle, receiving a commission in the new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she describes the situation at their new farm in Greenville, including the growing prices and scarcity of food. Throughout the letter, she mentions the work done by enslaved people such as Tom, Winnie, and Toby.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles Alston, in which she shares her concerns about their son, John Julius Alston, as she predicts that Battery Wagner and Fort Sumter will soon fall to Union forces. She also mentions the assistance of an enslaved man, Mack, who helped her communicate with her son.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston Pringle to his uncle, Charles Alston, in which he returned $40 previously gifted to him by Charles Alston prior to his trip to Europe. He mentions "persecution" from his uncle in reference to the family controversy about Charles Alston Pringle being excluded from John Julius Alston's new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Sallie Lowndes to Susan Alston in which she laments the financial status of their families following the Civil War and worries for their futures.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Mary Pringle to her brother, Charles Alston, in which she appeals to Christian values in order to assure her brother that the recent dispute surrounding John Julius Alston and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery has not impacted their relationship.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Elizabeth Deas Allston to Henry Augustus Middleton Smith in which she corresponds about her inheritance of $10,000 and how best to invest it. She also describes her recent time at the family plantations in Georgetown, Fairfield and Chicora. Also, she mentions the book A Woman Rice Planter by her relative Elizabeth Allston Pringle.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she describes life at their new farm in Greenville. She recounts the food and supplies that they have bought and requests that Charles brings various objects from their plantations.
Susan Alston's 1916-17 insurance policy for 21 East Battery, which values the building and its contents at $12,000, insured by a $40.80 premium. This also includes a letter from Henry Augustus Middleton Smith to his cousin Susan Alston explaining the details of the policy and Susan Alston's paid bill to F.M. Robertson Insurance Company.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Mary B. Huger to Susan Alston in which she updates Susan on the health of family members and her own situation, including travel and illness.
A one-page typed letter from Henry Augustus Middleton Smith to his cousin, Susan Alston, in which he tells her that he is enclosing two receipts from the Charleston City Sheriff and the Charleston City Treasurer for her payment of the street construction tax. These receipts are included, totaling $28.96 and $57.80 respectively. Smith also mentions that these receipts are under the name of Susan's deceased father, Charles Alston, Senior, and that he intends to rectify that mistake.
A handwritten sale of 600 acres of a plantation on the east side of the Waccamaw River and all of the buildings on it from Samuel Masters to Thomas Pagitt for 700 pounds This land was granted to Samuel Masters by the Lords Proprietors in 1711