Letter to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass., from his aunt, Mrs. Smith, in "Old Fort", Beaufort. His aunt relays a message to James to research Old Fort in the Harvard library for his uncle and writes at length of the events at "Carolina College." 4p.
Offer from Daniel Heyward to James B. Heyward to buy Chelsea Plantation, a cotton and provision plantation, from the estate of John Heyward. He also offers "the Rice Plantation, Sandy Hill adjoining" if he "may not desire to embark in the cultivation of Cotton." 3p.
Congratulatory letter from Nathaniel Heyward at Combahee to his grandson, James B. Heyward, upon his return to South Carolina. Nathaniel instructs James to take the stage to the "B(lue) House Post office" and "walk to Whitehall" from there. 2p.
Letter from an unknown sender in Rose Hill to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The writer provides rich details on the news of scores of friends and family. 4p.
Letter from Aunt (?) "Elzh" in Charleston to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. "Elzh" catches James up on all the news of friends and family in Charleston, Beaufort and elsewhere and mentions a new law passed by the Legislature "preventing coloured People from teaching." 4p.
Letter from Aunt M. Smith in Beaufort to James B. Heyward in Charleston. His aunt is anxious to hear of his college plans and keeps James abreast of the news of friends and family. 4p.
Letter from Aunt M. Smith to James B. Heyward in Charleston. James' aunt begs him to visit with his new child and offers jams and jellies as an incentive. 4p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning Dean Hall Plantation, including news that one of Ferguson's newly purchased mules has lost its tongue. 2p. March 14, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies and carpenters for Dean Hall and a load of lumber received from the plantation. 2p. April 11, 1866.
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.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing him that he should look for another overseer because he is appealing the revocation of his medical exemption for service and that he may need to use the overseer that he had previously offered James. 2p. December 3, 1863.
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.
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 James B. Heyward on behalf of his infirm grandfather, Nathaniel Heyward, to Francis D. Quash about an offer to invest his property in some unspecified manner. 2p. January 1, 1851.
Memorandum between Matthew I. Keith, Susan Keith, William Henry Heyward, James B. Heyward, and Maria Heyward concerning a house on Meeting St., Charleston and the use of trust monies to purchase a summer house on Sullivan's Island. 4p. February 16, 1853.
Memorandum for purchase of Fife Plantation by Nathaniel Heyward (III), James B. Heyward, and William Henry Heyward from Daniel Heyward Hamilton. The memorandum declares the property will be jointly held by the three and all monies made will either go back into the plantation for operating costs or to pay back the principal and interest of the loan. In addition to the property and slaves of Fife Plantation the Heywards purchased an additional forty slaves from the estate of "Mrs. Hamilton." 3p. January 7, 1852.
Letter from Fannie Heyward to her father (father-in-law?) asking him to send a recipe for "putting up butter for winter use." Fannie comments on aftershocks of the 1886 Charleston earthquake and writes that she is happy to hear "the Legare St. house pronounced safe." 4p. September 27, 1886.
Handwritten memorandum concerning the purchase of Myrtle Grove plantation by William Henry Heyward. W. H. Heyward purchased the plantation and turned the rights over to James B. Heyward with the understanding that James would allow him to dig a canal from his "Pines" Plantation to the Combahee River through a portion of Myrtle Grove. The memorandum states that James B. Heyward has given W.H. Heyward a sliver of Myrtle Grove for $5. 4p.
Letter from William Manigault Heyward to his mother. Heyward mentions a drought that has severely hurt his rice crop and writes about hunting, fishing and daily rides with his wife Susan. 4p. June 20th, 1816.
Letter from E. Barnwell Heyward to his cousin James B. Heyward informing him of the death of E. Barnwell Heyward's father. E. Heyward also comments briefly on the state of affairs in South Carolina since the end of the war. 2p. March 27, 1866.
1865 Letter, exact date unknown, from R. Felker to Mr. Heyward giving him a list of cotton weights and an update on the search for Mr. Heyward's lost hogs. 2p.
Memorandum between Thomas B. Ferguson, William McBurney, John J. Darcy, Michael Darcy, and John O'Mara to repair the engine and boiler of the rice mill at Dean Hall Plantation. 5p. August 23, 1865.
Printed circular from the War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned lands, concerning the confiscation of property in the "insurrectionary States" with detailed instructions on how said lands can be restored to the previous owner. 3p. September 28, 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.
Short list of the number of slaves at Rotterdam and Hamburgh Plantations in 1852 delineated by trade, i.e. field hand, carpenter, waterminder and waggoner. 2p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Mrs. Frank E. Myers concerning rent for Myers' plantation. James is anxious to have an agreement in place because "the time to plant our fall crops is now at hand." James alludes to the ongoing problem concerning the payment of rent in currency. 2p. October 31, 1864.
Itemized account of Gerhard Muller, MD, from May to December, 1862, outlining the specific medical care, with costs, of the slaves of James B. Heyward and William Henry Heyward. 2p. Issued June 6, 1863.
Bond detailing the purchase of a slave from Susan S. Keith to William Henry Heyward and James B. Heyward. The slave, "Joe", was purchased for $2315. 2p. June 1863.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James has traveled back down to his Combahee plantation from Columbia with the hope of being able to check on the condition of his Fife Plantation near Savannah, if the news of the enemy is favorable. He apparently enjoys being back on his own plantation writing "it is delightful here." 3p. December 6, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Frank Myers informing him that he most likely will rent his property again but wants time to look for another place "where I may have greater hopes of health and profit." 2p. September 18, 1864.
Letter from Aunt Smith to James B. Heyward telling him about a new missionary that may be able to administer his joint properties in absence of any other missions. 2p. January 16, 1852.
Receipt of monies received by Susan S. Keith from James B. Heyward as executor/trustee of the estate of Nathaniel Heyward. The receipts mostly depict interest from a bond bequeathed to Susan Keith in the will of Nathaniel Heyward. 30p.
Various receipts from the Heyward and Ferguson families including plantation goods and services, rent, and a Civil War receipt for "permanent labor on fortifications." 32p.
Pages from a larger volume with slave names, births, and deaths. The incomplete volume lists scores of slaves from unnamed plantation(s), including the births and deaths of their children. 20p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James was unable to travel to Savannah as planned due to skirmishes at "Coosahatchie." He mentions the death of an "Edward" at the "Church Creek encampment" and bemoans his inability to get news on local troop movements and battles writing "Sunday night the enemy made a raid on the other side of Combahee and I never heard of it until Tuesday. I fear sometimes they may capture me in bed." 6p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward in Columbia. James writes Maria about troubles in Savannah and fears the city will fall soon depending "upon the time it will take to reduce the Fort." He continues to mull over the fate of Fife Plantation and its slaves but speaks optimistically about plans for next summer. 8p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies for Dean Hall Plantation. Included among the supplies is a barrel of whiskey that is to be mixed with quinine and taken as a prophylactic and McBurney hopes this "judicious use of the preventatives will aid in keeping off sickness." 1p. June 21, 1866.
Receipt of note to Frank Myers from James B. Heyward for $2500 for the "tenancy of my plantation on Bluff Road twelve miles from Columbia." 1p. March 13, 1863.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing him that he has purchased 24 head of cattle for him and asks for directions on how to have them delivered. 1p. November 18, 1863.
Letter to James Heyward in Charleston from his aunt at "Old Fort' in Beaufort. His aunt writes of an upcoming wedding and ordination and hopes James will "keep his promise." 4p.
Nathaniel Heyward writes to his grandson James B. Heyward with instructions about a presenting a draft for money from a Boston Merchant to pay for his schooling. He is glad to hear that James is engaged in his studies but cautions that he wants him to return to home a learned gentleman and not a "book worm." He comments on the character of James' and his brother Nat's acquaintances and that Nat is doing well at "the office" in Beaufort. 3p.
Nathaniel Heyward writes to his mother-in-law in Beaufort from his Combahee plantation. He apologizes for being unable to fill some of her commissions and informs her he is sending barrels of rice and flour to her when her boat arrives. 3p.
Letter from friend, Anne H Darrell, to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. Ann mentions the bitterly cold winter they are having in Charleston and the destruction of St. Philips Church by fire, and informs him she has sent him some oranges from "Augustine." 3p.
Nathaniel Heyward writes to his grandson James B. Heyward in Cambridge apologizing for failing to submit his quarterly remittance. He exhorts him to "keep on the fashionable side" as "the Ladies of Boston have very sweet mouths for Southerners." 3p.
Letter from Nathaniel Heyward from "Blue House" to his grandson James Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. Nathaniel provides additional monies for James to replace his lost wardrobe and writes how "the excitement for the West is ruining So. Ca. The negroes as well as the white population are moving off in great numbers." 4p.
List of 118 slaves, (location and exact date unknown), numbered in pen and an additional 12 duplicate names listed at the end in pencil. The list was perhaps compiled as an inventory of property after the death of Nathaniel Heyward (1766-1851). 3p.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to James B. Heyward. William writes from Montreal about his health and the gifts and commissions he has procured or investigated for James and his wife on his trip north. He claims "Philad. is the place for domestic manufactures" and "N.Y. for imported." 4p.
Letter from Eliza Smith Heyward in Beaufort to her brother-in-law, James B. Heyward. In her letter, Eliza teasingly accuses James of being "anti-lady" and that she has heard "you were enjoying yourself extremely in society." 4p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" in Charleston to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. She write James that the health of his grandmother has forced her to take a trip upstate to Flat Rock and that his brother Nat met her in Columbia via "the RailRoad as far as Branchville, and then took his Horse and went on." She writes of family members and friends travelling in Europe and that "Strangers fever is rather more prevalent than some years back...owing to...so many cellars being left open, and water collecting in them." 4p.
Letter from Aunt M. Smith in Beaufort to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. James' aunt relates the news of the family and writes of her desire that James uses his education to teach in the "Sabbath Schools." 4p.
A satirical, almost poetic, letter from an unknown sender to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The letter writer teases James about the relative charms of Boston versus Charleston. 4p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to William C. Bee seeking a partner in planting Myrtle Grove Plantation. Heyward alludes to an 1854 hurricane that has damaged the long term rice yield at Myrtle Grove but hopes with sufficient capital and his one year of "experience in management under the present system" that a profitable crop of rice could be realized. 4p. November 11, 1866.
Letter from William Whaley to William McBurney instructing him that "the negroes planting at Dean Hall" should repair a broken floodgate and permitting the manager (Thomas Ferguson) to use his former slaves, "such of mine as are [still] on the plantation," to assist. 2p. October 25, 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.
Letter from William Henry Heyward at Savannah to James B. Heyward at Combahee. William Heyward has come to the conclusion that the destruction of slave labor will prevent them from ever turning a profit again on the scale seen in the past. He claims that the bargaining power exercised by the freedmen "makes the Planter a slave, far worse than his slave used to be." Because of the scarcity and high price of labor he believes that he and James should sell most of their properties and concentrate all their efforts on a few. 4p. April 17, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney writes about supplies for Dean Hall and the best strategy of repairing a dam on one of the mill ponds. He claims that they will be able to get enough labor to keep the mill running but reports difficulty in securing "rice hands." He comments that someone has offered to buy Dean Hall or takeover management after Ferguson's agreement to do so expires. 3p. April 20, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson acknowledging that he is granted authority to act in the stead of McBurney and William Whaley on all matters pertaining to Dean Hall Plantation and mentions a controversy over logging that was occurring there. He also mentions that Whaley has had his Edisto property restored to him and wants all his "people to be ready to move." 2p. October 21, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney affirming Thomas B. Ferguson's authority to manage Dean Hall Plantation. He encourages Ferguson to show patience "in dealing with the negroes" and fears that any other treatment "may cause the buildings to be laid in ashes, as was the case in my late brothers place." He informs Ferguson that "Mr. Whaleys negroes have the right to remain on the place until January if he does not remove them before, or they do not remove of their own accord." 2p. October 23, 1865.
Written agreement between Dr. S. H. Sanders and James B. Heyward for Sanders to hire Heyward's "prime negro labourers" for "thirty bushels of corn per head." The agreement further stipulates that it will be voided if Sanders "should be disturbed by the enemy." 2p. April 29, 1865.
Letter from fellow Charlestonian Aimee B. Stevens in Pendleton, SC, to Maria Heyward in Columbia. Aimee offers her condolences on the destruction of the Heyward's house in Charleston and inquires if she saved "all her silver." She writes about living with other families who had fled Charleston and the warm "welcome given by the hospitable inhabitants" of Pendleton. 4p. June 17, 1862.
Letter from William Henry Heyward at Clayhall Plantation to James B. Heyward about a recent survey and a misunderstanding concerning the sale of property on or around Myrtle Grove Plantation. 3p. April 25, 1852.
Letter from C.R. Hains to James B. Heyward concerning the accidental? shooting of one of James' slaves, Sam, at a Mr. Perkins' house some months earlier. 3p. January 21, 1855.
William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning operations at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney describes two different kinds of rice he is sending to Dean Hall and suggests that Ferguson plant the better rice "in a field by itself" for next year's seed crop. He is sending more laborers and supplies to Ferguson, remarking that "Bacon is up in price today." 4p. May 28, 1866.
Letter from Thomas B. Ferguson to William Smitts, miller at the Dean Hall Plantation saw mill. Ferguson outlines the rules of employment for the saw hands, their pay (more money for firemen and white hands) and the work whistle system he would like Smitts to use. 3p. June 21, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning operations at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney writes that he is sending more mill hands that he contracted in a similar condition as previous laborers. He suggests to Ferguson, however, that instead of charging 75¢ for absences he could take some rations away as punishment and, conversely, up the rations for particularly good service. 2p. May 5, 1866.
Certified statement from a miller at Bennett's Mill concerning the purchase of rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p. June 26, 1865.
Certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p. June 20, 1865.
Second certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p. June 23, 1865.
Letter from Thomas M. Rhett to James B. Heyward asking him for more time to repay a loan so he can sell property to raise the necessary funds, having "lost my Crop of provisions, and made but a half crop of light Rice. 2p. December 22, 1856.
Christmas day letter from James B. Heyward back at Combahee to Maria Heyward in Columbia. In his letter, James is reflecting on the dire situation and the bleakness of their future believing soon "it will all be over and we shall be reduced to a poverty irretrievable." He struggles with what to do with his slaves given the eventual "scarcity of food" and "depreciated currency." He intends to leave the majority at his plantation but expects to bring up to Columbia "John's wife so as to take from him that temptation to running off." He writes that he will also bring "Mary if she will leave her daughter Molly...I don't value Mary so much as to saddle myself with the support of Molly." 10p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney discusses the recurring problem of obtaining a steady supply of labor for Dean Hall and sends Ferguson several bushels of "Fripp" cotton seed. 6p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall. McBurney alludes to problems Ferguson is having with the lack of good labor and discusses cotton and rice options for the next planting seasons. 6p.
Legal complaint between William C. Bee and Godfrey Blake concerning the adjudication of several large tracts of lands bequeathed by Charles Heyward. 9p.
Letter from Edward Barnwell Heyward to James B. Heyward telling James that he is moving all his father's slaves from Combahee and Pocotaligo to Wateree, SC, for safety. He offers James some land nearby to move his slaves to and "rough it out" a while with him. His plan includes putting all his father's slaves in a camp in the woods "out of the wind, and driving rain, plenty of firewood, and dry ground." 8p.
Small booklet with the names of slaves and the carpenter's tools assigned to them on a yearly basis from 1853-1858 (cover of booklet lists 1852). There is no mention of the plantation but the slave names match several on the list of Fife Plantation slaves (no. 117). 16p.
Report on the specifications of the materials and labor to be used in the erection of the portico at the residence of Mr. W.W. McLeod on James Island, Charleston County, S.C.
![232. Receipt of payment by Thomas B. Ferguson to E. F. Benedikt [Benedict?] -- 1865](https://rspace.library.cofc.edu/iiif/image/26567/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
