A letter from Elias Ball II at Comingtee Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of cattle, the health of Edward Simons, a fight John had with Bob Simons resulting in a black eye, and the health of Elias Ball III's "house wench."
A letter from Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on sending the enslaved man Plimouth with a delivery, and a request for news from town through either a letter or a newspaper.
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 William Ball in London, England to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina on suffering from a fever and cough, plans to travel to Madeira for warmer climate, his friend Micah Bryan, and the Mr. Lockey's loss from a fire.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing Lockey's and William James Ball's passage to England, the start of William's schooling, and a blockade in Europe.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing that week's paper, word from Mr. Lauren's on how the army is helping drive General Washington over the mountains, the belief that General John Burgoyne's army was taken, the fleet of Commodore Biddle, the price of rice, and various notations regarding the Commons House of Assembly.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing old schooners filled with dirt to be sunk in "Hog Island Crick" to "prevent men of war cuming up that way." However, Elias Ball III recounts that Captain Tufts, after sinking three of the four boats, was discovered, and fired upon. The other side of the letter discusses the crop at Comingtee Plantation and allowing the enslaved person Pompey to have nails to finish the garden.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing money, the winter in Scotland, yellow fever in Charleston and that "our medical men have never attempted the cure of it by the affusion of cold water." The letter goes on to state William's opinions on finding a cure for yellow fever, and the birth of a baby boy between John Ball Sr. and his second wife Martha Taveau.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing John appearing on a jury, their brother Isaac's relationship with Miss Conny, dancing at the Club House, John's son, and William's plans after graduation.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of grapes delivered by the enslaved man Ben and a request for papers.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a letter of credit, the severe winter in Edinburgh, deciding not to travel to Paris for medical school, plans to return to Charleston to work as a doctor, and William's opinions on the study of medicine.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of the family, opportunities for John and Elias Ball, and needing the enslaved man Ben to pick up rice.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing health, Isaac Ball visiting Charleston, and the crop at Comingtee Plantation.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina offering advice on how to deal with business and "bad company."
A letter from Isaac Ball to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on receiving two pairs of shoes from John Ball delivered by the enslaved man Ben.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston discussing a handkerchief, and the poor health of their brother Isaac Ball.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing the placement of troops including at "the river place called mount pleasant." The letter goes on to discuss the governor having been found "to be an old traitor" due to Captain Adam McDonald going under disguise as "one of Kirkland's men" and a committee having been formed to question the governor.
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on receiving his letter by the enslaved man Cain, the health of brother Ned, and sending bacon and a blanket.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing confinement and Mr. Jamison needing his things from the landing.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving the corks and brandy John sent up, and John being "taken with the troops."
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing brandy for Isaac Ball and a request for watermelons.
Fragments of a letter from Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina. Fragments reveal statements on health, their brother Isaac Ball, and entering a volunteer company.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac at Kensington Plantation on receiving money from Keating Simons, notations regarding 1,500 to 2,000 men from the "back country", and the closing of stores in Charleston.
A torn letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Edward "Ned" Simons and an offer about a gun.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving letters from John and a request for newspapers.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Isaac Ball and requesting white sugarcane and "negro leather."
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on sending for one of his shirts and that if the "wenches" cannot have them ruffled, she will do it herself.
A letter from Edward Simons in St. Thomas to John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of articles sent to John by Mr. Addison's boat and requesting that the enslaved persons Minus and Cromwell carry the articles upon arrival.
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment she sent to him and the health of her daughter Cate.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a potential visit from his half siblings.
A letter from Isaac Ball to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on Isaac's health and a "battle" fought between Messieurs Simons and Ball.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his lodgings at Mrs. Dawson's, the anticipation of hearing news from New York, and a request for venison and duck.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending barrels of salt, the current prices for items and sending an enslaved boy to deliver articles to their father.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on delivering a letter through the enslaved man Harvy, word regarding a battle in New York and numerous statements on the troops in Charleston.
A letter from Catherine Simons to her half-brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on receiving a keg of nuts, sending the enslaved man Ben with freshly washed socks, and having the "wenches" work on John's clothes.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on receiving John's letter from the enslaved man Jimmey, an order of shingles, business at the plantation, the weather and word that King George III's troops have been defeated.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending horses and news about General Washington's army.
A letter from Elias Ball IV in Charleston to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a charter, Comingtee Plantation, a shortage of rice in the country, and a recommendation from "Moultrie" to hire James Gordon.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing family matters, news of their father and stepmother having another baby, their brother Isaac's bachelor status, and an "affair" between the Chesapeake Frigate and the British ship Leopard.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina on attending a course of midwifery and "materia medica," William's concerns of being in the country during the political tensions, and the upcoming birth of a new sibling.
A letter from William Ball in Frenchay, England to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing William's arrival in England, the health of his cousin Eleanor, the death of his Royal Highness Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, and news about an army of Austrians and Russians marching into France and Spain to reinstate the House of Bourbon.
A letter from William James Ball in London, England to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston discussing his travels to get to Edinburgh, Scotland, visiting acquaintances, and an inquiry into the courtship between their brother Isaac and Miss Hannah.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina on a watch that Ball ordered, William James Ball's expenses in Edinburgh, and the price of rice and cotton in England.
A letter from Elias Ball in Boston, Massachusetts to his nephew John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing travel with John's brother Isaac, meeting acquaintances, their future travel plans, ordering a carriage with horses, and requests for "negro cloth" and mending clothes for enslaved persons.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing letter writing, the birth of their twin sisters, the death of Mr. Fraser, their Uncle Elias Ball and brother Isaac Ball's excursions, and the music of the Scottish Highlands.
A letter from Elias Ball in Baltimore, Maryland to his nephew John Ball Jr. in Charleston discussing traveling by vessel with John's brother Isaac, the landscapes of Maryland, the "poor people" and their housing, visiting a bath house, and the "shie" personalities of the people in Baltimore.
