A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing a steamboat, the health of James Coward, the rice and pea crops, and Old Mary sick with fever.
A copy of a reference letter from James Simons to the tutors of Cambridge College on behalf of John Ball. Included is a letter from the college stating that a "certificate" is required for any student recommendation.
A note from Pastor Purcell of St. Michaels in Charleston and Minister George Buist from the Presbyterian Church of Charleston. The note mentions supplying a certificate for John Ball to "remedy the defect."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John moving out of a lodging house and into the college, the death of Mrs. Hort, concerns over Isaac Ball's health, and that yellow fever is still spreading in the city.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing winter, formal balls in Charleston, their brother Isaac's relationship with Miss Conny, and other family matters.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the death of "Folly" who died of consumption, the poor health of various enslaved children, the start of the rice harvest, Old Pompey and Scipio's work with the cattle, Bristol's work with the floodgate, and an inventory of cattle. Makes notation that a fifty dollar reward was offered for the capture of the enslaved man Morris.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing a medical visit from a doctor for an enslaved woman, a possible case of typhus, a situation with Old Marcus and a shipment of supplies.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Mary Pringle to her brother, Charles Alston, in which she appeals to Christian values in order to assure her brother that the recent dispute surrounding John Julius Alston and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery has not impacted their relationship.
A list of 160 enslaved persons divided by Friendfield or Point Plantation and adults or children. The list, created for tax purposes, details which enslaved persons received clothes, blankets and shoes as well as specific enslaved persons who were given away or died.
A list, created for tax purposes, of clothes and blankets given to 169 enslaved persons at Point and Friendfield Plantation. Makes notations on specific jobs of enslaved persons.
Survey of 1,200 acres of land formerly owned by Thomas Stanyarne on the west side of the Cooper River. Mepkin Plantation is mentioned as an adjacent property.
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Salone, Sammy, Jacob, Mary, Sancho, June and Abraham.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the enslaved men Sharper and Stephney. Haskell states that the men "absented" themselves from the plantation, Sharper was jailed and there is no belief they ran away. Haskell ends the letter hoping "the enemy has relinquished his attacks on Savannah."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on letter writing, how to behave while at school and with friends, avoiding "extravagance" and living with " generosity tempered with prudence."
A letter from Catherine Edwards to John Ball at Kensington Plantation requesting an explanation over the "ill will" directed towards her from the Balls upon her attempt at visiting.
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the weather, Jane Ball's health, an outbreak of measles in Charleston and small pox at Midway Plantation, the inoculation of forty enslaved persons, a publication from Doctor Waterhouse on diseases, and the death of cattle due to a drought.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, fears that Captain Tilden is lost, snow in South Carolina, the price of wood, and that "Old Plenipi is dead."
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing their brother Isaac's relationship with Miss Conny, classes at university, joining the medical society, and a brief discussion on William's trip to the Scottish Highlands.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to financial agent George Lockey discussing money for his son William at University of Edinburgh, the belief that war will break out, John's brother suffering from a fever and a worm damaging the plantation crops.
A copy of a letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to Catherine Edwards discussing an incident when Edwards attempted to visit John Ball and his wife.
A letter from Keating Simons at Lewisfield Plantation to his daughter Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing health, the effect of rain on the roads, the shipment of curtains and a mention of "negroes."
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."
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 indenture from Ann Ferguson and Judith Wragg, representatives of the deceased John Wragg, in which they agree to sell John Wragg's estate on the Charleston Neck to John Ball Jr.
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.
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.
Copy of "An Additional Act for the Better Regulation of Indian Trade-Appointment of Commissioners of Indian Trade." This act was presented by James Moore at the Charlestown Council Chamber. The document refers to the success of this trade regulation based on the behavior of the "Indian traders" and "several nations of Indians in amity with the government." Makes notation about "restraining the abuses committed to the said traders among the said Indians..." appointing commissioners for "better regulation of the Indian trade" and the oaths these men must take. The Native Americans mentioned in the document are the "Northward Indians," or the Catawba. Makes notation that there is no direct or indirect trading with the Cherokees.
A land indenture of two Childsbury Town lots conveyed to Isaac Child by John Skinner for forty-six pounds. The two properties are located near Mulberry Street and Church Street. The second page of the indenture is a statement by Mary Skinner agreeing to the release of these properties to Isaac Child.
The last will and testament of John Ashby in which he divides his estate among his family. John Ashby leaves his wife Elizabeth an enslaved woman named "Soua" and her two children, Quash and Hannah.
Articles of Agreement between Elizabeth Ashby, John Vivaridge, and Philip Dawes in which widow Elizabeth Ashby, is marrying John Vivaridge. The document discusses Elizabeth Ashby's debts, estates and enslaved persons.
