A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing health, family matters, and a statement concerning an "unhappy prisoner" and his execution.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Jr's letter writing, his request for his son to read "Popes Letters" and Pliny, a visit from Captain Tilden, John's school expenses, and John Ball Sr.'s advice regarding dating.
A letter from Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation to her husband John Ball in Charleston discussing a visit from Mrs. "Tourner" and Mrs. Laurens, the cook Eliza "grunting and walking lame," word from Midway Plantation that Binah's son Pompey, living at Pimlico Plantation with his wife, has been sick, that "Little Judith" is suffering from a cold, and memorandums.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops, the enslaved persons Elick, Paul, Pompy and Jimmy.
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 John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of pocket and neck handkerchiefs and letters from Isaac and William Ball written in Latin and French. The letter ends discussing John Ball Jr.'s health.
A copy of a letter written to John Clark Esquire of Providence, Rhode Island from John Ball Sr. discussing cheese, a request for fish, and money for John Ball Jr.
A letter from power of attorney William Blacklock in Charleston, South Carolina to Matthew Bryan in Yorkshire, England discussing business and accounts paid.
A letter to Eliza Laurens from an unidentified writer discussing the dangerous state of Mepkin bridge, the beginning of repairs and the writer's desire to have Eliza Laurens assist.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the health of the family, the corn, potatoes and rice crops at Kensington and Midway Plantations, and the health of Beck's child.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the corn and rice crops, harvesting the oats, and castrating a colt.
A list of 145 enslaved persons divided by Friendfield and Point Plantation as well as adults, children and house people. The list, created for tax purposes, details which enslaved persons received clothes, blankets and shoes as well as jobs of specific enslaved persons. Makes notations that the enslaved person Minta was dead and that Washington was killed in a storm.
A list of 145 enslaved persons from Point and Friendfield Plantations. The list, created for tax purposes, is divided between the enslaved persons who received clothes as well as a separate list of enslaved children. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes and blankets given to 147 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons and those who are dead.
The Rose Hill Time Book is a record of the tasks completed on the property and the figures related to pay for working these tasks starting in the month of January and ending in the month of May of 1878. Also included in this account are the names of the laborers on site. This location was once known as "Rose Hill Plantation" prior to the Civil War and this Time Book represents the agricultural labor of freedmen post Civil War during the era of Reconstruction. The names of the laborers are repeated throughout the record and are listed as: Abby, Adam, Balinda, Ben, Berry, Bina, Binky, Burry, Butler, Caesar, Charity, Charles, Charlot, Charot, Clarrida, Curly, Daniel, Daphney, Dareus, Edward, Ellen, Fay, Flora, Frank, Gibs, Hacklus, Hanah, Hariot, Harry, Henry, Isaac, Israil, Jacob, January, Jenny, Jerry, Jim/Jimmy, Joan, John, Judy, June, Juno, Leah, Linda, Lindy, Luck, Martha, Mary, Mingo, Miny, Mira, Morris, Nancy, Ned, Patty, Peggy, Phillip, Pompy, Queen, Richard, Robert, Robin, Rose, Sabe, Sally, Salvy, Sarah, Serpio, Silvey, Smart, Stephen, Tom, Violet.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves discussing mules, Confederate bonds, valuable papers, the purchase of 600 bushels of corn, and Cheves' enslaved persons.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Kensington Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball exiled in Bristol, England discussing Elias Ball's squadron arriving in Charleston, word of 600 men in the town, payment for enslaved persons, the high tax of that year, and word from Mr. Gaillard regarding the remainder of the estates enslaved persons.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing family matters and money sent to John for his schooling.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Jr's school vacation plans and knowledge of American cities, inquiries into the lifestyle of students at Harvard, the marriage of cousin Lydia to Mr. Lucas, the cotton crops in South Carolina and at Kensington, Hyde Park and Midway Plantations. The letter concludes concerning a deed for the enslaved boy Billy, "the valet de chambre" for John Ball Sr. who wishes that upon his death for John Ball Jr. to "be kind to him for my sake & for your own advantage." He ends stating that if Billy is "ungrateful" towards John Ball Jr. or quits, "do not trouble in getting him back, but if he afterwards return then let him be disgraced..."
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, the library at school, certificates from Mr. Osborne and Doctor's Buist and Purcell, and advice that anything John Ball Jr. hears at someone's house is "sacred" and never told outside of that house.
Certification from Pastor Purcell of St. Michaels in Charleston and Minister George Buist from the Presbyterian Church of Charleston that John Ball is a student in the Charleston Seminary.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the family's passage to Charleston, Jane Ball's health, and the plantation crops.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's health, the hot weather in Charleston, the "prevailing epidemic," and the marriage of David Dubose to his cousin.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing how the "hands" hoed, a request made by Bristol and work completed by Adonis, the other overseer Mr. Coward, removing Willey from his current work setting, Scipio's work with the cattle, Cato possibly sick with consumption and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston to Nicholas Harleston discussing Ball missing a visit from Harleston concerning Ball's son and Harleston's daughter.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes and blankets given to 150 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons and those who are dead.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes given to 151 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons and those who are dead.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes given to 151 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons.
A list of 151 enslaved persons from Point and Friendfield Plantations. The list, created for tax purposes, is divided between the enslaved persons who received clothes, shirts and blankets as well as a separate list of enslaved children. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons and those who are dead.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes and blankets given to 156 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons.
A list of 157 enslaved persons at Friendfield and the Point Plantations. The list is divided into adults and children, and includes notations such as "carpenter," "cripple," "old," "driver" and "nurse."
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes given to 157 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on the names of enslaved children.
A list of 157 enslaved persons divided by Friendfield and Point Plantation as well as adults, children and house people. The list, created for tax purposes, details which enslaved persons received clothes, blankets and shoes as well as jobs of specific enslaved persons.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes given to 159 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on the names of enslaved children.
A letter from Mary Lamboll Beach to her sister Elizabeth Gilchrist in Germantown, Pennsylvania discussing health, religion and the Denmark Vesey trial. Details include the notation, "on the case of the poor blacks who I fear are in the community at large" and "that wretched Vesey." Also references executions include the hanging of "Gullah Jack" or "creature" known for his superstitions. Makes notation "Mrs. Martin's negroes" attacking with firearms.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing Vidal's questioning of the enslaved persons. Concerning the enslaved persons, Vidal writes, "if you have too much familiarity, it will spoil them." He continues by discussing a boat and the unknown location of his rafts.
A letter from John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing a delayed visit due to rain, and the departure of the enslaved woman Phyllis from the rectory (believed to have gone to Comingtee Plantation) with the hope that "she might be at liberty to idle away." The letter goes on to discuss an earlier situation with Phyllis breaking the Ischudy's rules regarding "servants" eating breakfast and dinner. Due to her behavior, Ischudy writes that Phyllis was whipped with a "chincopen switch" and gave her "five or six cuts upon the shoulders." He ends his letter stating that Phyllis "has not been ill treated" and wishes for John Ball to punish her if she arrives at Comingtee Plantation.
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 Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Sr. leaving for Kensington Plantation, a visit to see Aunt Simons at Sullivan's Island, updates on John's brothers, the death of Ned Wilkinson, Old John Gaillard and Old Brailsford, George Aneram from fever, and Jane's health.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts inquiring into his passage to Massachusetts, and the belief that John Ball Jr. is a good child and she wishes for him to pursue "the paths of strict virtue and honor." Jane Ball ends the letter discussing the poor health of Mrs. Scott and her request for John Ball Jr. to write more frequently.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing an upcoming birth in John's family, their brother Isaac's courtships, and the statement that "war resounds from all quarters." The letter goes on talking about the inhabitants of Edinburgh and their excessive alcohol and tea drinking, tobacco use, nervous disorders, and the "badly attended" theater.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rectory, a move to "pine-land," Dublin bringing "Old Bobbel" to the rectory, a complaint of dysentery, the work of "Friday & his wife," a situation concerning the purchase of butter from Comingtee Plantation and Mrs. Ischudy's concerns over " a gathering in one of her breast."
