A letter from Ann Ball to her husband John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing "Lewis" and "Marcus," Isaac Ball leaving town with his family, a severe cold, and the harvesting of crops.
A torn letter written by Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing leaving town, the "poor Dyana" who is ill and unable to nurse and having items sent from the store to the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing crops, a sickness on the plantation and resistance from enslaved persons, particularly females, following Stephen's departure. Makes notation that the enslaved person Toney came back and has not been punished. According to Toney, Stephen tricked Toney to travel with him, only to be told later on that Stephen, who was supposedly armed, was taking his family to the "Yankees" and that Toney needs to come with them. Toney eventually was able to leave and return to the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick and crops. Makes a notation about the enslaved person Toney from Chicora Wood Plantation who returned from the "yankees." The overseer believes Toney and his family should be sent to North Carolina as he does not wish to have him sent to the military.
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 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 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 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 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.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing a recovery from a fever, the death of a child from fever, struggles with the rice field, attempts at selling lumber, the Wambaw swamp and lands and the sale and purchase of "confiscated property" by various men. Makes notation that the "negroes have not been sold" as well as a notation regarding the enslaved persons owned by Elias "Wambaw" Ball following the division of his estate.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing Thomas Gaillard and payments, apprehension of purchasing bills using credit, a rampant fever that has affected family at Kensington Plantation, the overseer named Comings, the sale and purchase of "Fishpond by the Harlestons," a notation regarding fifteen enslaved persons, rice crops and the belief of another revolution or war within the United States.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing the departure of his friend "Moultrie" to England, the death of Elias Ball II from a "disorder in the bowels," the will of Elias Ball II, the corn, rice and indigo crop, wind and rain storms, "negro cloth," and a "great disturbance in the country."
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing how John must pursue the "paths of virtue & knowledge," the weather in Charleston, the death of Doctor McCormick's son William, Isaac Ball shooting arrows, and John Ball Sr. spending time at Midway Plantation.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John Ball Jr.'s health, a shipment of handkerchiefs, newspapers and letters, money for John's schooling, the death of Old. Mr. R. Lowndes and Old Nancy at Kensington Plantation, and that "the bad fever rages in this city."
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on leaving Charleston, his brothers attending school, Mr. Bryan suffering from "a slow fever," John attending a dance at school, and that Captain Tilden has not been heard from.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation discussing John suffering from "Cholic," and William's account of the landscapes, inhabitants and agriculture of the Scottish Highlands.
A letter from Thomas Naylor in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation on receiving word regarding the severe state of health William James Ball is in from what the doctor believes is consumption.