Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Zion Parsonage, to sisters, describing the rural nature of the parish he will minister near Columbia and inviting them to visit and assist him in setting up housekeeping in his new cottage. In addition to a servant provided by the parish, Barnwell has been given one of his father's servants, "Aleck the little". October 14, 1856.
Bill of sale between F.H. Wagner and James B. Heyward for $2000 for five slaves. The slaves sold were Glasgow, age 30, his wife Mary, age 27, and their three children. 2p. January 23, 1856.
Bill of sale between William Yates and James B. Heyward for $900 for "a certain negro woman named Sally with her male Infant" both "warranted sound and healthy." 1p. January 28, 1856.
A letter from C.B. Jones to Burr Ragsdale discussing a sheriff's sale of enslaved persons. Makes note that the number of enslaved persons sold will range between 82 to 102.
A list of enslaved persons given blankets. The document also includes notations that the enslaved man James is a carpenter and had an epileptic attack, Joe is a carpenter and cooper, and Murria is half-witted.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Zion Parsonage, to father, William H. W. Barnwell thanking him for the gift of his servant "Aleck the little" and discussing possible future plans for his younger brother, William. October, 1856.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing his activities as he prepares for his job as professor at South Carolina College. Barnwell writes of purchasing the cook and maid of outgoing professor, Dr. Francis Lieber, "partly [out of] comfort" and partly to relieve Dr. Lieber from "parting with slave property in the usual way of public sale." 1856.
