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.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward. James writes Maria about a battle at Port Royal Ferry "full of danger to our property" and his anxiety over the dangers of the war. 4p. January 3, 1862.
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 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 Edward Barnwell to James B. Heyward informing him that he has arranged for empty railroad cars to be parked at "Union Road" and that they must be loaded by morning next. 1p. October 24, 1862.
Letter from J. Robert Coburn, missionary, to James B. Heyward requesting refreshments for himself and his pony during his stay at Fife Plantation. 1p. February 27, 1863.
Letter from J. Robert Coburn, missionary, to James B. Heyward requesting refreshments for himself and his pony during his stay at Fife Plantation. 1p. January 28, 1863.
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.
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 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.
