Miscellaneous Inventories, 1813-1817, is a bound volume kept by or for a member of the Ball family. The volume includes inventories of furniture, kitchen ware, clothing, and other household decorations such as candlesticks, bookcases, shades, looking glasses and crockery. The volume also includes a list of enslaved men, women and children divided by families.
An agreement between Charles Alston Sr. and former enslaved persons, now freedmen and women, at Fairfield Plantation. The agreement outlines the duties that Charles Alston and the freed persons must follow. The signatures of the freed persons, which includes children, are marked with an "x."
An agreement regarding six enslaved persons bequeathed to Henry Hilliard Gooch's children. The names of the enslaved persons are Melisy, William, Amelia, Miles, Dave and John.
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. discussing a spread of whooping cough on the plantation and the enslaved man Jim who ran away. Cheves' explains that if any enslaved person runs away, they should be sought for at Guerards at New River Bridge as a few of the enslaved persons at Cheves' plantations were bought from that slaveholder.
A torn letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in "Charles Town" on spending a night at Comingtee Plantation, and the health of Elias Ball III and Isaac Ball.
A history of the Harleston family discussing their voyage from England to South Carolina, their first plantation called Irishtown, other plantations throughout the years, the Coming relatives and dates of birth and death for family members.
A portion of the last will and testament of Elias Ball II in which he settles all debts, gives his son Elias Ball III Comingtee and Limerick Plantations, tracts of land to Samuel Eveleigh, tracts of land and Kensington and Hyde Park Plantations to his son John Ball, and a lot of land situated "on the Bay of Charleston" to his daughter Lydia Bryan. Makes various notations regarding "negro slaves and their issue and increase" as well as statements that his sons Elias and John Ball are given the enslaved persons living at each plantation they inherited.
A list of 152 enslaved persons. Notations include the first names of each enslaved person, their role on the plantation and the name of their parent(s).
A list of lands and enslaved persons owned by John Ball which includes Back River Plantation, it's swamps, lands for cultivation, pine land, a carriage house, smoke house, overseer's house, store house, corn house, a cooper shop and twelve "negro" houses. The document also lists that there are four enslaved men above fifty years of age, eighteen enslaved men under fifty and above twelve, ten enslaved boys under the age of twelve, seven enslaved women above fifty years old, nineteen enslaved women under fifty and above twelve and twenty enslaved girls under twelve.
An account of the enslaved persons and lands belonging to Elias Ball I that includes tracts of land at Comingtee Plantation, acres to plant and harvest crops, and sixty-eight enslaved persons.
Memorandums on Elias Ball II discussing Comingtee Plantation given to him in the will of his father Elias Ball I, and the probability that Elias Ball Sr. was buried at St. Philip's Church in Charleston.
A letter from Lydia Simons to her brother John Ball discussing John Ball's inability to use his fingers, and the crops at "Limeric" (Limerick) Plantation.
A letter from A. Waring to her cousin John Ball in Charleston thanking him for a present, the crops at Backriver Plantation, and a potential visit in the spring.
A list of enslaved women confined at Midway Plantation and tools left out by the enslaved person Marcus. The bottom of the document is a balance of tools at Kensington Plantation.
A list of 339 named enslaved persons at Comingtee/Stoke Plantation with associated figures identified as "quarts." Various names include the name of a parent and the location they work in such as "House."
A torn letter to John Ball by Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation discussing Mr. Simon's Caty being ill, the safe arrival of Mr. E. Simons and guns.
A list of enslaved persons at Wavery Plantation, referenced as "Waverly Negroes." Included are the names of the enslaved persons, ages and notations on family and labor. Enslaved persons and their tasks include nurse Beck, house servant Guy, miller Wallace, ploughman Major, cook Linette, washer Lydia, driver Cudjoe and stockman Bob. Makes notation that Sibba "does nothing" due to old age.
A note from the overseer regarding enslaved persons at Chicora Wood Plantation specifically Stephen and his family who have not been heard from and Toney who left on his own accord either from being frightened or scared.
An unsigned letter discussing that each head of an enslaved family will receive a hog and will be chastised for disobedience if the terms stated in the letter are not followed.
A copy of a petition to parliament titled "The Great Grievances and Oppression of James Child" in which the writer discusses "illegal rates" that were falsely presented as "repairs for the church" in Amersham. James Child and others refused to pay resulting in financial charges from the Ecclesiastical Church. The petition goes on to discuss charters for Amersham, James Child's imprisonment over his refusal to deliver an "Exemplification," and James Child being forced to abscond and sell his estate to pay off his debts. The second half discusses the various finances and property that James Child is giving to his son Isaac Child in South Carolina. Makes notations regarding Strawberry Plantation and Mepkin Plantation.
A land conveyance of a plantation to Elias "Red Cap" Ball in Berkeley County. The conveyance grants Elias Ball and his family freedom of "hawking, hunting, fishing & fowling" on the property.
An account of cattle from the joint stock that the enslaved persons Plimoth and Sambo had, the cattle at Jericho Plantation, and Mrs. Wilson's, and Miss Nelly's stock. Makes notation that the enslaved person Cupid was sent up to Jericho Plantation to count the joint stock.
A record of tasks completed between 1731-1771 that includes placing shingles on the house at Comingtee Plantation, accounts with carpenters and work on the gardens at Comingtee and Kensington Plantations. Makes notation that the enslaved persons Salsbury, Manny, Easter and Pompey worked on the garden at Kensington Plantation.
The last will and testament of Elias Ball I in which he leaves Comingtee Plantation to his son Elias Ball II, tracts of land referred to as Dockum Plantation, land known as "Eveleigh's Land," the enslaved man "Sambo" and Lot No. 49 in Charlestown to his son John Coming Ball, money and the remainder of a lot in Charlestown to his daughter Eleanor Laurens, and a pew to his children at St. Phillips Church.
A list of enslaved children born between 1758-1763. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their date of birth and occasionally, the name of their mother and father.
The last will and testament of John Coming Ball in which he leaves his plantation and other purchased land to his son Elias Ball, money for his daughters Elizabeth and Catharine, six hundred pounds "in lieu of two negros," tracts of land called "Three Mile Head" to Elias and John Ball, acres of land and "oak and hickory land" to his daughter Jane Ball. John Coming Ball leaves his wife Judith Ball tracts of land, horses, furniture and a "wench called Molly and her son." Makes notation on the division of enslaved persons among the Ball children. The enslaved persons are referenced as "Monimias" daughter Sally, a girl called Senah, Marcus, a girl called Silvia, and a boy called Pino. Makes a statement that the enslaved man and driver Sambo is to be free upon the death of John Coming Ball, given money yearly and is allowed to live on any plantation under the ownership of the Ball family.
A land conveyance of one-sixth part of 840 acres from Elias Ball II and Lydia Simons Ball to their daughter Catherine Simons. This conveyance includes "all the houses, outhouses, woods, underwoods, timber and timber trees…" found within this portion of land.
The Surveyor's Notebook, 1767, is a bound volume kept by or for a member of the Ball family containing field notes, tables, conversions of liquid, cloth measures, and a description of rules of "three direct" and "three inverse."
1770-1779, 1780-1789, 1758, 1760-1769, 1800-1809, 1810-1819, 1790-1799, and 1759
Description:
A list of enslaved children born between 1758-1817. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their date of birth and occasionally, the name of their mother and father.
1770-1779, 1760-1769, 1740-1749, 1750-1759, 1720-1729, and 1730-1739
Description:
The Ball Family Account and Blanket Book, 1720-1778, includes lists of purchases, expenses, blankets given out to enslaved persons, and names/ages of enslaved persons at Midway, Limerick, Comingtee and Kensington Plantations. The book includes a loose list of enslaved men with their place of birth and ages, ca. 1750, currently on exhibit at the South Carolina Historical Society Museum.
The Foaling Register, 1745-1777, is a bound register kept by Elias Ball II recording the selling and purchasing of horses, mules and mares and the births of colts at Kensington and Limerick Plantations.
A letter written by Elias Ball II to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing travel, jackets and hiring a doctor for a medical opinion.
The last will and testament of Elias Ball II in which he divides Comingtee, Limerick and Kensington Plantations among his sons Elias Ball III, Isaac Ball and John Ball. He leaves his daughter Lydia Lot No. 49 in Charlestown and refers to the enslaved persons outlined in his late wife's will. Elias Ball II also leaves his pew in the middle aisle of St. Philips Church to his son Elias Ball III and bequeaths his "negro wench named Priscilla," "negro wench called Esther," "negro wench called Bena," negro wench named Auba" and any enslaved man upon their selection to his children. The will also outlines that Elias Ball II's executors are to purchase "young slaves" from time to time.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of the family, opportunities for John and Elias Ball, and needing the enslaved man Ben to pick up rice.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of grapes delivered by the enslaved man Ben and a request for papers.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing health, Isaac Ball visiting Charleston, and the crop at Comingtee Plantation.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina offering advice on how to deal with business and "bad company."
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston discussing a handkerchief, and the poor health of their brother Isaac Ball.
A letter written by Elias Ball III to his brother John or "Jack" at Comingtee Plantation discussing their brother Isaac Ball, a squall that damaged the corn crop and advice.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing old schooners filled with dirt to be sunk in "Hog Island Crick" to "prevent men of war cuming up that way." However, Elias Ball III recounts that Captain Tufts, after sinking three of the four boats, was discovered, and fired upon. The other side of the letter discusses the crop at Comingtee Plantation and allowing the enslaved person Pompey to have nails to finish the garden.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing the placement of troops including at "the river place called mount pleasant." The letter goes on to discuss the governor having been found "to be an old traitor" due to Captain Adam McDonald going under disguise as "one of Kirkland's men" and a committee having been formed to question the governor.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Comingtee Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of cattle, the health of Edward Simons, a fight John had with Bob Simons resulting in a black eye, and the health of Elias Ball III's "house wench."
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing confinement and Mr. Jamison needing his things from the landing.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving the corks and brandy John sent up, and John being "taken with the troops."
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing brandy for Isaac Ball and a request for watermelons.
A torn letter written by Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing leaving town, the "poor Dyana" who is ill and unable to nurse and having items sent from the store to the plantation.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac at Kensington Plantation on receiving money from Keating Simons, notations regarding 1,500 to 2,000 men from the "back country", and the closing of stores in Charleston.
A letter from Lydia Ball Simons to her brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation. The letter discusses her receiving word from John by the enslaved man Adam, her wanting John to come for her the following week and the going price for bushels of salt.
A torn letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Edward "Ned" Simons and an offer about a gun.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving letters from John and a request for newspapers.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Comingtee Plantation to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing Isaac's fever and sending the enslaved man Plimouth to visit Isaac to receive news of his health.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Isaac Ball and requesting white sugarcane and "negro leather."
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a potential visit from his half siblings.
A copy of the last will and testament of Judith Ball in which she leaves her son John Ball furniture and other household goods, her daughter Jane Ball furniture, china and "one negro man named Jacob, one negro wench Rinah" and "one other wench named Violet." Judith Ball leaves her daughter Eleanor Ball money, her son-in-law Elias Ball money and horses, her niece Esther Roberts money and the remainder of her estate to her children split evenly among them. The remainder of the will appoints Elias Ball and Robert Quash as executors.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his lodgings at Mrs. Dawson's, the anticipation of hearing news from New York, and a request for venison and duck.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending barrels of salt, the current prices for items and sending an enslaved boy to deliver articles to their father.
