Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James was unable to travel to Savannah as planned due to skirmishes at "Coosahatchie." He mentions the death of an "Edward" at the "Church Creek encampment" and bemoans his inability to get news on local troop movements and battles writing "Sunday night the enemy made a raid on the other side of Combahee and I never heard of it until Tuesday. I fear sometimes they may capture me in bed." 6p.
Three receipts for confederate bonds issued to the holder under the "Act to reduce the Currency." All of the receipts are notarized on the reverse and two of them are, in return, transferred to pay taxes. 6p.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward concerning tenancy for next year and the ongoing dispute about the use of "present currency." 2p. September 21, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Dr. James H. Boatwright concerning rent for the house occupied by James. James accepts the offer of $8000 to rent the house owned by Boatwright, but asks him to put in writing that it is okay to pay in Confederate currency adding, "difficulties with other parties must be offered in excuse for requesting what may otherwise seem to you to be so unnecessary a stipulation." 2p. November 14, 1864.
Christmas day letter from James B. Heyward back at Combahee to Maria Heyward in Columbia. In his letter, James is reflecting on the dire situation and the bleakness of their future believing soon "it will all be over and we shall be reduced to a poverty irretrievable." He struggles with what to do with his slaves given the eventual "scarcity of food" and "depreciated currency." He intends to leave the majority at his plantation but expects to bring up to Columbia "John's wife so as to take from him that temptation to running off." He writes that he will also bring "Mary if she will leave her daughter Molly...I don't value Mary so much as to saddle myself with the support of Molly." 10p.
A letter to Woodward Manning from the Quartermaster's office ordering that any surplus of corn available is to be given to the army through purchase or impressment
A list of burials with occasional notations on the individuals. Makes notations on the deaths of a refugee from Auburn, a wounded soldier from the Confederate Army and a soldier who died at the age of nineteen in the hands of "the enemy."
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to his mother Eliza C. Ball discussing the birth of William Ball's daughter and Eliza Ball's first granddaughter and the timeline of Faith Ball giving birth. Makes notation on the presence of the enslaved women Masylla and Flora but not Harriet who was sick, and the baby having fingers made to learn how to play the piano "if war ends in time enough for her to learn." The rest of the letter goes on to discuss friends and family visiting the baby, the "negroes" in Charleston, the poor health of Frank, the myrtle berry pickers, and the weather.
A letter from E.A. Poyas to William Ball discussing the history of Josiah Smith, cashier of the U.S. Branch Bank of Charleston. Details include Smith's birth at Cain Hoy, his father's position as pastor of the church, the family's relocation to Charles Town due to the father's new position as pastor of the Independent Church or "Pastorship of the White."
Letter from Marx E. Cohen to a "James Tupper" regarding the death of "Marcus," an enslaved man owned by Cohen, while in military service of the Confederate States of America (CSA). Cohen requests a higher remuneration for the loss of "Marcus."
Letter from Marx E. Cohen to a "James Tupper" regarding the death of "Marcus," an enslaved man owned by Cohen, while in military service of the Confederate States of America (CSA). Cohen requests a higher remuneration for the loss of "Marcus."
Letter from Marx E. Cohen to a "James Tupper" regarding the death of "Marcus," an enslaved man owned by Cohen, while in military service of the Confederate States of America (CSA). Cohen requests a higher remuneration for the loss of "Marcus."
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and giving potatoes as an allowance to enslaved children.
