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..."
The Account Journal, 1774-1777, was written by an unknown author recording financial accounts, tasks performed by enslaved persons, the planting of indigo, cotton, rice and corn and numerous memorandums between Paul Villepontoux and Peter Marion. A few journal entries reference enslaved persons who ran away from the plantations as well as verses pertaining to freedom and General George Washington. Journal contains entries from a second use, which are written upside down and interspersed with the first use.
A letter from Thomas Slater in Frenchay to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing European magazines, the death of Mr. Ball, Thomas Slater's son residing on a family estate, and information on the cotton and rice crops in South Carolina.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons, an enslaved woman named Lavenia who wishes to work in a different area on the plantation to avoid working with Bob and notes on cotton.
A letter to Woodward Manning from his brother Ira L. Manning discussing the death of their brother Elisha, the failing cotton crop, the hiring of freedmen, and requesting information on who from their hometown was killed in the war.
