A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Allston's poem at college, that John has "grown very fat," Mr. Williams contracting a disease, the "nature of man," the family leaving for the winter, and the Battalion of the 30th Regiment under John Ball Sr.'s command.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the work of Elsey, Thomas, Sena, Rachel and Jack, the rice and pea harvest, the poor health of numerous enslaved persons, and having to "switch" Stoke Abram, Stoke Rose, and Silvey's Hannah for stealing.
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice and slip crops, the carpenters not working and a list of measurements.
A handwritten letter from Dr. Joshua Flagg to his father Dr. Arthur B. Flagg regarding payments for former patients as well as a note about bushels of rice. The back of the letter includes a list of items and medical fees with associated figures in dollars.
A list of 152 enslaved persons. Notations include the first names of each enslaved person, their role on the plantation and the name of their parent(s).
A sale of 103 enslaved persons owned by William Conway, declared by the high court of Chancery of the Kingdom of Great Britain to be a "lunatic." All enslaved persons, cattle, sheep, and land were sold to Charles William Rogers from Commissioner Benjamin H. Buckner for $6,000.
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. in Pendleton on the runaway enslaved man Jim. Langdon Cheves Sr. writes about an advertisement he read in the newspaper about a "runaway, negro man who calls himself Jim" who has been imprisoned and "belongs to Judge Cheves on Savannah River." He further writes that his son should consider using "light iron" to prohibit Jim from running away again.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
The Rose Hill Time Book is a record of the tasks completed on the property and the figures related to pay for working these tasks starting in the month of July and ending in the month of December of 1878. Also included in this account are the names of the laborers on site. This location was once known as "Rose Hill Plantation" prior to the Civil War and this Time Book represents the agricultural labor of freedmen post Civil War during the era of Reconstruction. The names of the laborers are listed as: Abby, Adam, Bacus, Balinda, Ben, Berry, Bess, Billy, Bina, Binky, Blake, Brooks, Butler, Caroline, Catharina, Ceasar, Charity, Charlot, Chas, Cinty, Clay, Cloe, Curry, Dafney, Daniel, Dareus, David, Ellen, Eve, Fanny, Fay, Flora, Franky, Friday, Gibs, Hacklus, Hanah, Hariet , Hariott, Harot, Henry, Isaac, Israil, Jacob, James, Jane, January, Jerry, Jim/Jimm/Jimmy, Joana, Jock, John, Josiah, Judy, Julian, Jun, Laury ,Leah ,Leny, Lesby, Liddy, London, Luck , Maria, Mary, Maryann, Mily, Mingo, Morris, Moses, Ned , Patience, Patima, Patty, Peggy, Peter, Phillip, Pompy, Primus, Prince ,Queen, Richard ,Rob, Robert, Robin, Rose ,Saby, Sally, Sam, Sambo , Sampson ,Scilla, Scipio, Sealy, Sharlott, Silvey, Smart, Sory, Stephen, Tamar, Thomas, Toby, Tom, Tug, Violet, William.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal primarily discussing the enslaved man Dedfort, a delivery of sugar, coffee and an anchor and chain.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, John's arrival in Massachusetts and the status of his luggage, John Ball Sr. suffering from "the fall fever," the death of Mr. John Cordes at Pine Ville, and advice to John Ball Jr. to wear warm clothing during the winters for fear of getting consumption.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing finances for William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland, and national politics.
A letter from Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation to her husband John Ball in Charleston discussing her mother's health, that Captain Peter "did not make his port," feeling anxious over "how Dublin got down with his charge" and a shipment of bricks.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing that the enslaved persons were summoned to work on the "Publick road," a shipment of butter, the pea crop, and the work of Scipio, Daniel, and Jack. Makes notation that Daniel and Jack were "flogged" for not following the overseer's orders, searching the "negro houses," an inventory of cattle and the poor health of numerous enslaved persons.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the corn crop, the mill pond, sickness on the plantation, the enslaved man August under Dr. Edward's care who believes August is suffering from consumption, the enslaved women and children gathering peas, and Lucy confined for giving birth to a boy.
