Letter from Susan S. Keith to her daughter giving her a first hand account of the great fire that devastated Charleston in December, 1861. "The City is nearly destroyed," she writes, "such a scene of desolation and destruction I never beheld." 4p. December 14, 1861.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about family matters and news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste describes how the sisters are sewing banners and flags for various companies noting "is it not queer for nuns to be engaged preparing flags for war?" She also thinks that business would return to normal if "other states would hurry and come out of the Union." January 8, 1861. 2p.
Anna Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing the declining health of their sister, Julia, and hopes that "she may live until a Priest reaches here." January 21, 1861. 4p.
Henrietta Lynch writes to brother-in-law, Bishop Patrick Lynch, with news about measles spreading among the family in Cheraw. She also mentions an early blockade of Charleston which the Bishop holds "little hope of being broken." January 29, 1861. 2p.
Letter from Madame Antonia in Baltimore to brother, Bishop Patrick Lynch, asking him to say three masses for her in honor of St. Joseph. February 20, 1861. 2p.
Anna Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the news that the Bishop and their brother, John, will be visiting Walterboro to see their ailing sister, Julia. February 24, 1861. 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning plans associated with one of the Bishop's properties, writing "I did not know whether you still intended sending the negroes over." He also writes of recent news of an accidental cannon discharge fired from "Cummins" Point that struck Fort Sumter stating, "Such carelessness or tricks might lead to serious results although it may show with what accuracy the guns can be worked." March 9, 1861. 1p.
A handwritten, three-page letter from William Bull Pringle to his sister, Emma Alston, in which he relays his encounter with Governor Pickens regarding his son, Charles Alston Pringle, receiving a commission in the new Company of Artillery.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning a series of financial transactions he needs assistance with. In one instance he hopes to secure a shipment of leather before the 15th "when duties will be levied on imports." March 9, 1861. 2p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick about forming a partnership with a Mr. Murphy to expand his shoe business believing it "highly important to push the production of shoes now." May 3, 1861. 2p.
Short letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch requesting his presence in Cheraw and mentioning a recent order of shoes from "Col. Hatch." May 5, 1861. 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning preparations being made on one of the Bishop's properties. John writes that "your negroes have not yet arrived" and fears the lack of field hands and a shortage of corn may impact the season's crop. May 24, 1861. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Louisa (?) concerning family news. John writes that he is tired of hearing so little news about the war and he hopes "to see the war ended without a general battle." He also wonders what congress in Washington is doing and expresses hope that they "act with a spirit of wisdom and justice, different from that of Lincoln and his advisers." July 16, 1861. 4p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch responding to his inquiry of boarding room in Cheraw for those wishing to flee Charleston. He also touches on his shoe business, mentioning paying patent rights on a tanning process, the use of fennel, salt peter and salt in the tanning process and the delivery of 1000 pairs of shoes to the Confederacy. November 16, 1861. 4p.
