A handwritten, eight-page letter from Susan Pringle Alston to her aunt, Rebecca Hayne, in which she describes Union troops and newly freed people raiding and robbing houses while her family was in Plantersville at the end of Civil War. She expresses concern for similar things occurring in Columbia and Darlington, South Carolina.
Letter from Stephen Elliott Barnwell, Valdosta, GA, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing his escape from the Union troops who captured Jefferson Davis, in whose entourage he was traveling. Barnwell describes pretending to take a bucket to fetch water for his horse before fleeing into a swamp and leaving his horse and possessions behind. Before fleeing, Barnwell "took the liberty of bidding the Pres goodbye -- and expressing as briefly as I could my admiration for the firmness and pertinacity with which he stuck to the good cause -- with which he seemed well pleased." June 11, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson repeating the contractual terms for the hired hands McBurney is sending to Dean Hall Plantation. 4p. December 13, 1865.
List of property identified by Thomas Ferguson from two homes on East Bay and Broad Street in Charleston, SC. The note gives Ferguson the right to reclaim the named items. 2p. July 13, 1865.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Harriott Ravenel to Susan Alston in which she discusses the difficulties of life after the Civil War. In particular, she writes about the difficulty of keeping newly freed people working for their family and the status of various relatives.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Joseph Alston to his father, Charles Alston, in which he describes his efforts to manage the newly freed people at their plantations and rent out the Alstons' store following the Civil War.
Letter from Robert Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning employment Robert has found with a tanner in Rennes, France. Robert has heard of the fall of Columbia in the war and fears his parents are "in the hands of the yankees." March 14, 1865. 3p.
Letter from Anna Lynch in Cheraw to Madame Antonia Lynch in Baltimore with news from the family. She writes of the losses suffered by their brother, Francis, the relocation of the Ursulines and their sister, Madame Baptiste, to the Methodist College in Columbia and the return of their nephew Conlaw to Cheraw as a "paroled prisoner." June 15, 1865. 2p.
Receipt of note for $400 from Thomas B. Ferguson to his lawyer, Theodore Barker, to be held as security in a claim for back wages brought by his former overseer, William Dowdey. 1p. August 16, 1865.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Sallie Lowndes to Susan Alston in which she laments the financial status of their families following the Civil War and worries for their futures.
Diary of Magdalen Elizabeth Wilkinson Keith for the years 1865-1868. Concerns mostly life at home, and activities of family and friends. Mention of Charleston railroad stretching downtown.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome about the ongoing recovery effort after the war and the destruction of the Ursuline Convent. She is soliciting funds to rebuild and has written Washington with their case demanding reparations. The Ursulines have accepted the offer of General Preston to reside in his house while he is abroad and are using the Methodist College for additional space. July 17, 1865. 4p.
Robert Lynch writes to his uncle, Bishop Patrick Lynch, of his success in learning the tanning trade during his employment in Rennes, France. He hopes to return to America when the Bishop does "for seven years have now passed since I saw [my parents]." April 17, 1865. 4p.
Letter from Robert Lynch in Angers, France, to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome informing him that he has arranged passage on a steamer to New York. July 18, 1865. 3p.
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.
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.
Madame Antonia writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome imploring him again to speak to the general superior of her order concerning issues at the Carmelite Convent in Baltimore. She mentions the evacuation of Richmond, General Sherman's stay in their hometown of Cheraw and the Ursulines' move from their burned out convent in Columbia to the Bishop's plantation two miles away. April 9, 1865. 8p.
Letter from Madame Antonia in Baltimore to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome describing the events surrounding the destruction of the Ursuline Convent in Columbia by Sherman's troops. She also mentions the recent assassination of President Lincoln and writes "what the consequences may be no one can imagine." April 20, 1865. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome from Valle Crucis, the Bishop's property outside of Columbia, having moved the convent and academy from temporary housing at Methodist college and Gen. Preston's mansion. Since Valle Crucis is too remote for day schoolers and too small for large numbers of boarders, she writes of setting up a satellite institute in Macon, Ga., until their convent can be rebuilt in Columbia. She mentions the pardon granted the Bishop and hopes that he will soon return to America. September 25, 1865. 2p.
Robert Lynch in Rennes, France, writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome about his continued education in the tanning business and his hope that the end of the war in America will finally allow him to return home. June 4, 1865. 4p.
Madame Antonia writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome asking him to contact the general superior of the Order of the Carmelites concerning matters at her convent in Baltimore. February 21, 1865. 2p.
Letter from Robert Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking his advice concerning an offer of employment in Le Havre, France. Robert hopes to learn the tanning trade in Europe so that he can find gainful employment when he returns to America when the war ends. February 2, 1865. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Reverend J. W. Cummings describing the current status of the Ursulines in Columbia and encloses a letter for her brother, Bishop Patrick Lynch, who is expected soon in New York. October 28, 1865. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch eagerly wishing his return to America. One of two similar letters sent from Madame Baptiste on this date. October 28, 1865. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch eagerly wishing his return to America. One of two similar letters sent from Madame Baptiste on this date. October 28, 1865. 3p.
Madame Antonia writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome about an offer the Bishop has had to return to America. She fears that he will "endanger his life" if he returns and prefers that he wait "until after the season of Tedious Times is past." June 23, 1865. 1p.
Two plats of lands along the Savannah River belonging to Stobo and Bullock. Names associated with this plat are Archibald Stobo, James Stobo, James Bullock, W. Hugh Bryan, Clawton [?], Cranford, J. Southerland, and Patrick Mikas. Notable geographic locations include the Savannah River, St. Peter's Parish and Purrysburgh Township.
Document noting a pledge of allegiance to the United States government under the Union of the States signed by Emily Minis following the end of the Civil War.
Meeting minutes not included in the minutes book discussing the amalgamation of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and Shearith Israel, and finances related to synagogue repairs.
A letter from a committee from Shearith Israel (here spelled "Sherath") congregation asking the KKBE Board of Trustees to use their synagogue for the "approaching holidays."
This book contains records of yearly and weekly renters, comprehensive inventories of movable items and cattle, as well as increases in the stock of horses and mules. The Day Book section records the daily recordings of some activities on the plantation. This book was used as somewhat of a multi purpose book as it also gives an account of the standings of accounts and transactions with some listed companies such as G.W. McClean & Co., Michael Greaves as well as Nightengale & Co. It then goes on to detail deliveries of rum, sugar and molasses produced on the plantation and sold to customers.
General orders letter signed by General Joseph E. Johnston regarding the Military Convention between General William Sherman and General Johnston which resulted in Johnston's surrender.
Confederate Medical Examiner's note regarding an examination of Edgar M. Lazarus. The note states Lazarus suffers from myopia. The surgeon recommends Lazarus be on "permanent detail" and states he is unfit for field duty. The note is signed by Dr. Robert Lebby.
Confederate Medical Examiner's note regarding an examination of Edgar M. Lazarus. The note states Lazarus suffers from myopia. The surgeon recommends Lazarus be on "permanent detail" and states he is unfit for field duty. The note is signed by Dr. Robert Lebby.
Note to the Army Medical Examining Board from two surgeons regarding an examination of Edgar M. Lazarus and suggesting him "unfit for field service" due to his myopia, also referred to as nearsightedness.
Certified list from Thomas Ferguson of articles belonging to James Ferguson at two Charleston, SC, residences. The list is signed by the Provost Marshall, Levi Stuber, head of the U.S. military police controlling Charleston. 1p. August 3, 1865.
Letter from Freedmen's Bureau agent F.M. Montell to Lt. James Hann concerning the former slaves still residing at Dean Hall Plantation. Montell writes that Thomas Ferguson wants the freedmen removed "as they have no rights to reside on the plantation after the division of their crops" and that he doesn't want "to have the bad example of idle men" influencing his future hires. Montell also writes of several cases of small pox on the plantation and asks the lieutenant for military help to resolve the situation and provide the "care and attention which the Freedmens Bureau have not the means of affording them." 2p. November 21, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson informing him that he is sending "8 Irishmen" to Dean Hall Plantation "with six spades and three long handled shovels." 4p. November 19, 1865.
