A letter from the accommodation wharf Cart, Kopff & Jervey to William Ball discussing the quality and value of rice from John Harleston's plantation. Makes notation, "how are you getting on with the freedmen?"
A handwritten, four-page letter from Susan Alston to her father, Charles Alston, in which she describes their work setting up the farm in Greenville and complains about the soaring cost of living in the town. She also relays the story of the Seven Days Battles in Virginia, blaming General Huger for the Union's escape.
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to Mary thanking her for a package she sent, his poor health and treatment from a doctor, and reflections on a party during the Christmas season. The letter goes on to discuss the Christmas of the "good old days in slavery time, thanks to Mr. Lincoln" and that two servants remain in the household as they "never left us."
A handwritten, three-page letter from Emma Alston to her husband, Charles, in which she discusses her situation in Greenville and her continued search for a house. She writes of her concerns about the Civil War's effect on their finances and house in Charleston; in addition, she lists the names of enslaved people that she brought with her to Greenville (Zilpah, Winnie, Brown, little Thomas, John, Venus, Johny).
Letter from Henry Flanders, Philadelphia, to William H. W. Barnwell, visiting Cambridge, Mass. Flanders mentions "Professor Agassiz" and a recent publication by Horace Binney questioning the authorship of George Washington's Farewell Address and hopes that Mrs. Barnwell "has acquired a relish for northern life." October 12, 1859.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to aunt describing his visit to the Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy, and his attendance at a Catholic mass given in Italian. August 12, 1857.
