A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing Haskell returning from North Carolina where his son was suffering with an illness, the death of an enslaved person from Pneumonia, the overseer leaving the plantation, "quarrelling" among Cheves' enslaved persons and construction of additional slave cabins.
A letter from the town marshal to overseer John Oliver discussing the enslaved boy Sharper. The letter details that the enslaved boy was committed to the guard house and is owned by Langdon Cheves Jr. Sharper is described as "about twenty years of age, 5 foot 3 or 4 inches in height, of rather dark complexion, high cheek bones and 'beautiful' white teeth."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the enslaved men Sharper and Stephney. Haskell states that the men "absented" themselves from the plantation, Sharper was jailed and there is no belief they ran away. Haskell ends the letter hoping "the enemy has relinquished his attacks on Savannah."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the death of the enslaved man Sharper from Pneumonia. Haskell goes on to discuss corn, bread for the enslaved persons and their overall health.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves discussing mules, Confederate bonds, valuable papers, the purchase of 600 bushels of corn, and Cheves' enslaved persons.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the Branch Bank of Charleston, cattle, the enslaved persons petition for tobacco and fixing up their cabins, planting corn, and a cabin for the overseer.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the arrival of Cheves' enslaved persons in Abbeville, one enslaved woman arriving with a fever, bringing the enslaved persons to Turkey Hill Plantation and difficulty procuring mules.
A notice from General Thomas Drayton stating that several plantation owners have refused to remove their enslaved persons from the area as "their removal is necessary for the successful prosecution of his (my) military duties and required by the public interest..."
A letter from Charles Haskell to the Branch Bank of Charleston stating his reasoning for wanting to withdraw $5,000, which includes receiving Langdon Cheves' enslaved persons and needing to make them "comfortable."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing Haskell's willingness to "do all that is in my power to make your negroes comfortable," moving Cheves' enslaved persons to Haskell's plantation, land cultivation, and securing finances in case of attack.
The Robert W. Allston 1862 Journal consists of entries discussing accounts, prices of items, land papers and a task performed by the enslaved persons Sawney, Mathias and Scipio.
A note from A.J. Woods that certifies an agreement made by James Yates to take care of Robert F.W. Allston's farm, which includes caring for the "negroes."
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Salone, Sammy, Jacob, Mary, Sancho, June and Abraham.
A document with a testimony stating that the last will and testament of Peter Desvernay is authentic. The reverse page is the actual oath and it also discusses the appraisement of his items. Makes notation that Peter Desvernay is "a free man of color."
Copy of the last will and testament of Robert F.W. Allston outlining his wishes to pay his debts by selling a portion of his estate, with ninety to one hundred "negroes." Robert Allston divides his enslaved persons among his family, often keeping enslaved families together. Referred to as "negroes," the enslaved persons are listed as: Alfred, Alfred's wife Lavenia, Frank and Frank's wife Hester, Thomas, Gilbert, Minda, blacksmith Anthony, Little Jacob, Henry, Solomon, Charles, York, Daniel, cook Joe, Betty, Mary, blacksmith Sam, carpenter Abram, Primus, Nancy, driver Richard, Milly, Amy, Susie, Stephen, Scipio, engineer Prince, cook Toby, valet Stephen and Stephen's wife Lizzie, Robert Allston's "old driver and friend Sam, his wife Mary and son Albert, Nurse Minda and her husband Bowie, blacksmith and engineer Guy, carpenter Billy, Beck and Phoebe. He also leaves his overseer the enslaved girl named Hetty whose "life he has (under heaven) thus far preserved." Robert Allston wishes that his faithful servants, James, Milly, and Mary "receive every proper kindness" from the Allston family as well as fifteen dollars a year. He also states that driver Sam, Moses, and Stephen receive five dollars a year.
A medical receipt from Dr. T. J. Goodwin to James P. Adams recording the patients treated and their fees. Makes notation of the medical treatment of "little negroes" and includes associated figures. The reverse side of the receipt includes the notation "Mr. Jas P. Adams $64.00."
A letter from Eliza Ball to her son William Ball discussing a shipment of items such as towels, needles, scissors, a cake canister, honey comb, granite, and buttons on a schooner, a "bundle of work" for Sylvia, Marcia, Mat and Hetty to do, the status of Nanny's eyes and Sylvia's leg, the poor health of Eliza Ball's horse, the work of Handy, the secession of Georgia, the South Carolina company coming up from Morris Island, a sickness (possibly pneumonia) among family members and enslaved persons, and Isaac sending scissors to his mother Hetty.
A statement by attorneys Lockwood and Ramsey concerning an unsatisfied mortgage on two enslaved persons sold by Francis Simons to John R. Matthewes. The names of the enslaved persons are Malsey or Molsey and Julia.
Terms for the hiring of enslaved persons owned by the children of John Gooch. Terms include enslaved persons "not to be taken out of the state," "required to furnish two suits of cloths, one of cotton and the other mixed with wool," and to hire a physician if an enslaved person becomes sick.
The Robert F.W. Allston 1860 Almanac is a Miller's Planters' and Merchants Almanac for the year 1860 repurposed as a journal. Personal entries include account pages for bushels of rice, a list of enslaved men, women and children who were born and died at Chicora Wood Plantation, the purchase of enslaved people, a presentation of a billiard table to the Lunatic Asylum, a meeting with Laymen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and work on the Georgetown Railroad.
A bill of sale between Ann Allston Tucker and Robert F.W. Allston for the enslaved woman Abby, the wife of Robert Allston's enslaved man Will, and their five children for $2,400. The names of the children are Caleb, Charlotte, Eliza, Sandy and Lambert.
A record of sale with the title "A Prime Gang of 27 orderly Country-raised Negroes" by Wilbur & Son. Makes notation regarding the sale at a public auction for the following slaves: Sam, Amy, Rodger, Doll, Bella, Moll, Myrcam, Phoebe, Harriet, Mary, Sye, Joe, Flora, Scipio, Daniel, Jane, Emma, High Bob, Thomas and numerous children not referenced by name. Includes associated figures in dollars and the ages and qualifications of each slave.
This document is the last will and testament of Mary Ellison that discusses the distribution of her finances, estate and personal items. Makes the notation that she leaves her daugher Harriet "my negro slaves" listed as Binah, George, May, Robert, Betsey, Jerry, Sam, Jane, Sukey, Sukie's children, Lizzie, Caroline and Eliza.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Pettigru & King discussing terms for Southfield Plantation. The letter includes the decision to divide enslaved persons into lots and "turned over" to Huger, Haskell and McCord.
A letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from his sister Louisa McCord in Columbia, South Carolina discussing her resistance to purchasing more enslaved persons, the Dulles, family and finances.
A newspaper clipping advertising the sale of Southfield Plantation written by Langdon Cheves which includes that 170 enslaved persons live on the plantation, and it is "remarkably healthy for Negros."
A slave bill of sale from the executors of the deceased Edward Barnwell's estate for the enslaved men Wet Cato and Billy, referenced as "negro slaves." The reverse side includes all individuals involved in the sale and the date.
