The John Ball Plantation Account Book, 1812-1834, is an indexed account book kept by overseers at various plantations owned by the Ball family. Overseers named are John Cox, Arthur McFarland, Samuel Lynes, Alexander McKnight, Britton Bunch, John Dickson, Thomas Fincklea, James Coward, and John Page. Of particular interest are two different accounts, one with William Deas, referred to as a "Mulatto" and the other "Free Nancy," a free black woman at Limerick Plantation who was buying and trading rice and sugar.
The division and valuations of Jane Ball's enslaved persons among her sons John Ball Jr. and Isaac Ball upon the death of their father John Ball Sr. The enslaved persons live at Kensington Plantation and are divided into lots for each brother.
A list of enslaved persons owned by Elias Ball II at Kensington and Comingtee Plantations. Information includes the names of the enslaved persons and date of birth.
A tax return of John Ball's taxable property made out and paid to Theodore L. Gourdin. The tax returns include tide swamps, pine land, 459 enslaved persons in St. John's Parish, fifteen enslaved persons in the parish of St. Philip's, 260 enslaved persons at Comingtee/Stoke Plantation, 102 enslaved persons at Kensington Plantation and ninety-seven enslaved persons at Midway Plantation.
A list of plates delivered to M.C. Ball belonging to the estate of John Ball Sr. from the Kensington house, Marshland farm, and a house on East Bay Street in Charleston.
A receipt from Elias Ball at Limerick Plantation for items sent by the enslaved man Stepne to Kensington Plantation. Items include leather, calf shins and sheep shins.
A letter from Eleanor Ball at Kensington Plantation to Henry Smith discussing her brother Elias Ball III in England, and an account of payments between Henry Smith and Eleanor Ball for her schooling and board. Also attached is a list of eighteen enslaved persons received by Elias Ball to deliver to Benjamin and Thomas Smith overseas. Includes the statement "the dangers of the sea & death excepted."
A copy of a letter from John Coming Ball at Kensington Plantation to his cousin Ann Waring on the guardianship for John's three female cousins, and his reasonings for choosing Josiah Smith as a potential guardian.
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 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 IV at Kensington Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball exiled in Bristol, England discussing Elias Ball's squadron arriving in Charleston, word of 600 men in the town, payment for enslaved persons, the high tax of that year, and word from Mr. Gaillard regarding the remainder of the estates enslaved persons.
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 sending horses and news about General Washington's army.
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.