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.
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to his mother Eliza C. Ball discussing the birth of William Ball's daughter and Eliza Ball's first granddaughter and the timeline of Faith Ball giving birth. Makes notation on the presence of the enslaved women Masylla and Flora but not Harriet who was sick, and the baby having fingers made to learn how to play the piano "if war ends in time enough for her to learn." The rest of the letter goes on to discuss friends and family visiting the baby, the "negroes" in Charleston, the poor health of Frank, the myrtle berry pickers, and the weather.
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 giving potatoes as an allowance to enslaved children.
A torn letter from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing crops and the number of enslaved persons sick. The other side of the letter mentions the death of an enslaved child, a pregnant enslaved woman and a sickness on the plantation.
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 Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons, making molasses and a sickness spreading on 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 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 how the enslaved people who were sick are better, making bushels of oats and hogs on the property.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing corn, bad weather that blew down the sugar cane and sick enslaved children.
A letter from Charlotte Allston to her overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing the enslaved man Stephen, his family and the enslaved man Toney who escaped the plantation. She believes that Toney failed to escape the plantation and willingly returned to avoid being captured. She states that Stephen needs to be captured, not because he is valuable but for plantation moral. She further writes that she wishes Toney to be sent to work for the government on the fortifications until the war is over, to not be allowed to see his family and confined until he leaves. She writes that the elder enslaved persons James and Mary, the parents of Stephen, be held as hostages in jail as punishment for their child's escape. She states for them not to have communication with anyone in their family except if a white person is present.
Appraisement and inventory of the personal estate of the late Robert F.W. Allston. The list includes plates, china, furniture found at the mansion in Charleston, sundries at numerous plantations, tools, securities and a list of 590 enslaved persons divided by plantations including one in North Carolina.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing the crops and tasks performed by enslaved persons. Makes notation that the enslaved person Stephen, his family and the enslaved person Toney escaped the plantation for the "yankees." He explains that one of the boats is missing and how the overseer stayed up all night "not knowing what Stephen will do."
A report signed by Robert F.W. Allston, his overseer Jesse Bellflowers and the reporting Dr. describing the death of an enslaved man named Joe who died following an injury from a fall.
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 to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons and crop farming. Makes an inquiry on what should be done with the enslaved man Toney who is "under the belief that he will be punished."
