Written request to T.B. Ferguson from John J. Darcy for payment to James Soughen, with confirmation from Soughen of payment received. 2p. September 18, 1865.
Letter to James Heyward from J.H. Trapier concerning ideas about crops and livestock for their various properties. Trapier suggests giving the newly freed laborers a stake in the crops grown, noting that he got the idea from a book on "European Agriculture" and that the practice had worked well in Germany. He mentions the difference in labor required for field crops versus the "special cultivation" skills needed for rice propagation. Finally, he asks James for a copy of a blank "Petition for pardon" claiming the hand crafted one he had sent earlier might be rejected because of his refusal "to surrender my ideas in reference to State Sovereignty." 4p. August 18, 1865.
1865 Petition of Thomas B. Ferguson to General John Hatch, commander of the Northern District, Department of the South, for the return of a large quantity of rice which was confiscated from his father, James. Of an approximate 7000 bushels of rice, Ferguson has been able to locate only 1185 bushels which were transported by the sloop "Julia" to Bennett's rice mill in Charleston. Ferguson's petition makes the plea that the rice "is the only means his father has for supporting and subsisting a large family. 3p.
1865 Petition of Thomas B. Ferguson to General John Hatch, commander of the Northern District, Department of the South, for the return of goods confiscated at the plantations of his father, James. 3p.
Letter from Gabriel Edward Manigault to James B. Heyward describing the enormous changes that have occurred in Charleston "since the new regime" took over. He laments the loss of his servants and writes that, given the economic stagnation of the times, "I see nothing but starvation staring the negroes in the face." 4p. May 22, 1865.
Record of transactions at Bennett's Mill, Charleston, concerning the sale of 1185 bushels of rice. The miller's receipt was apparently used in support of Thomas Ferguson's petition to be remunerated for the seizure of his father's rice. 5p. May 30, 1865.
