Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward in Columbia. James writes Maria about troubles in Savannah and fears the city will fall soon depending "upon the time it will take to reduce the Fort." He continues to mull over the fate of Fife Plantation and its slaves but speaks optimistically about plans for next summer. 8p.
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.
Receipt of monies received by Susan S. Keith from James B. Heyward as executor/trustee of the estate of Nathaniel Heyward. The receipts mostly depict interest from a bond bequeathed to Susan Keith in the will of Nathaniel Heyward. 30p.
Various receipts from the Heyward and Ferguson families including plantation goods and services, rent, and a Civil War receipt for "permanent labor on fortifications." 32p.
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.
