A copy of a reference letter from James Simons to the tutors of Cambridge College on behalf of John Ball. Included is a letter from the college stating that a "certificate" is required for any student recommendation.
Certification from Pastor Purcell of St. Michaels in Charleston and Minister George Buist from the Presbyterian Church of Charleston that John Ball is a student in the Charleston Seminary.
A note from Pastor Purcell of St. Michaels in Charleston and Minister George Buist from the Presbyterian Church of Charleston. The note mentions supplying a certificate for John Ball to "remedy the defect."
A letter from Charleston discussing John Ball's qualifications for any Universities in England. These qualifications include John's "proper" behavior, and reading Virgil, Horace, and the Gospels of the Greek Testaments.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Sr. being in the country, John Ball Jr.'s friend Archer Lord on the verge of death, John's school vacation in Newport, Rhode Island, Jane Ball attending "Cato, a Tragedy" performed by students from the seminary where there were no female characters due to the boys "thinking a female character too trifling."
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing how John must pursue the "paths of virtue & knowledge," the weather in Charleston, the death of Doctor McCormick's son William, Isaac Ball shooting arrows, and John Ball Sr. spending time at Midway Plantation.
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a return to the country for winter, a leak at the water mill, Miss Dart spending the winter at Fish Pond Plantation, and advice on being respectable, honorable and esteemed.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts inquiring into John Ball Jr.'s passage to Massachusetts, the death of John Ball Jr.'s colt, and advice on how to avoid "evil company" who partake in "drinking, gaming and the company of lewd women." The letter goes on to write that families would rather have a relative die to "cover the infamy of the family" than have a relative partake in drinking and gaming, using an example of Doctor B's son who gave "himself to drunkenness" and died.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the poor service of the post office, a "malignant" fever outbreak in Boston, inquiry into John Ball Jr.'s voyage across the water to Massachusetts, and advice on proper behavior while in school.
This is a Sandy Island plantation journal written inside of a South Carolina and Georgia almanac for the year 1798. The plantation journal documents the planting of crops (rice, corn and potatoes), runaway slaves (including women and children), business relations with Laurel Hill Plantation, the hiring of Mrs. Taylor's bricklayers, illness, the weather, calculations, and the receipt of cypress planks from Plowden Weston.
Copy of a plat of 355 Acres of land in Berkeley County near the West side of Cooper River, shows surrounding properties, doesn’t include land type or detailed notations. Names associated with this plat are Edward Keating, William Kimlough, Buvet, Matthew Beard, Colonel Chicken, Chapennoun Elliott, Robert Daniell, Longrove Thomas, Edward Keyting, Andrew Allens, William Gibbons, James Kenloch, William Adams, Allen Anderson, William Gibbons, Matthew Benson, Thomas Smith, John Vecandge [?], Francis Ternandol, and Allen Andrew. Notable geographic locations include St. James Parish, Goose Creek, Cooper River, and Berkeley County.
Copy of a plat of 200 acres in St. George’s Parish. The property lines and various trees located on them are the only details included. Names associated with this plat are G. Wagner, Samuel Jones, Thomas Hotkins, Francis Yonge, and Robert Daniell. Notable geographic locations include the Stono River and Berkeley County.
Plat of 300 acres in St. Andrew’s Parish on the Stono River originally granted to William Branford. At the time of the copy it belonged to George Wagner. Names associated with this plat are William Branford, George Wagner, Egerton Leigh, Thomas Boone and Elizabeth Hutchins.
Plat of 57 acres belonging to Dorothy Jones on the Stono River. At the time of the copy belonged to George Wagner. Names associated with this plat are Dorothy Jones, George Wagner, Bull and John St. James.
Copy of a plat of land in St. Andrew’s Parish, 103 acres are marsh land. Little other detail or explanation. At the time of the copy belonged to George Wagner. Names associated with this plat include Stephen Bull, Thomas Jones, George Wagner, Richard Godfrey, Nathaniel Brown and Thomas Jones.
Plat of land annexed to a release from Benjamin Elliott to William Brandford for 362.5 acres. At the time of the copy belonged to George Wagner. Names associated with this plat include William Branford, Benjamin Elliott, Wagner George and Thomas Elliott.
This document is a court case discussing a law suit to recover wages brought by Lydia Witten, a midwife who delivered the child of a slave women (referenced as "negro woman") without the consent of her master.
A list of ninety-one enslaved persons owned by John Ball. The reverse side of the document contains lists of enslaved persons above fifty years old and under the age of twelve.
