The John Ball Plantation Account Book, 1812-1834, is an indexed account book kept by overseers at various plantations owned by the Ball family. Overseers named are John Cox, Arthur McFarland, Samuel Lynes, Alexander McKnight, Britton Bunch, John Dickson, Thomas Fincklea, James Coward, and John Page. Of particular interest are two different accounts, one with William Deas, referred to as a "Mulatto" and the other "Free Nancy," a free black woman at Limerick Plantation who was buying and trading rice and sugar.
The last will and testament of Elias Ball I in which he leaves Comingtee Plantation to his son Elias Ball II, tracts of land referred to as Dockum Plantation, land known as "Eveleigh's Land," the enslaved man "Sambo" and Lot No. 49 in Charlestown to his son John Coming Ball, money and the remainder of a lot in Charlestown to his daughter Eleanor Laurens, and a pew to his children at St. Phillips Church.
A list of enslaved persons owned by Elias Ball II at Kensington and Comingtee Plantations. Information includes the names of the enslaved persons and date of birth.
A list of enslaved children born at Comingtee and Stoke Plantations. Information includes the name of the enslaved child, their mother, and their current age.
A letter from Comingtee Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the crowded houses on the plantation, placing the enslaved women and children in the sick houses, Coward's disappointment in his work, the cooper "Midway Marcus," a burnt child, the work of the enslaved persons Phyllis, Caesar, Benjamin, young Stephen, the health of "Monemah's" child at Kensington Plantation and the enslaved persons Boris, Driver Jack, and Cate.
A copy of a letter from John Ball at Comingtee Plantation to Limerick Plantation overseer Stephen Herren reprimanding Herren's disappearance when Ball visited the plantation to divide the enslaved persons. The letter goes on to discuss the consequences of Herren not being present, whether he respects his duty as overseer and Herren going against the rules concerning the enslaved persons, specifically enslaved children, and Old Simon.
The Account of Enslaved Persons and Various Stories, 1831-1844, is kept by or for a member of the Ball family. The first half of the account book contains various lists of enslaved men, women and children owned by John Ball at Comingtee/Stoke, Kensington and Midway Plantations in Berkeley County, South Carolina. These lists include enslaved persons given first or second quality blankets, cloth, clothes and osnaburg fabric as well as lists of pregnant enslaved women or enslaved infants given clothes.
The second half of the book contains stories retold by various persons on topics such as an eyewitness account of the Steamship Pulaski Disaster in 1838, stories of enslaved persons including the execution of an enslaved man, stories about the family of George Chicken, eyewitness accounts of the British occupation in Charleston during the Revolutionary War, numerous ghost stories and an account of the first settlers of Charlestown.
The last will and testament of Elias Ball II in which he divides Comingtee, Limerick and Kensington Plantations among his sons Elias Ball III, Isaac Ball and John Ball. He leaves his daughter Lydia Lot No. 49 in Charlestown and refers to the enslaved persons outlined in his late wife's will. Elias Ball II also leaves his pew in the middle aisle of St. Philips Church to his son Elias Ball III and bequeaths his "negro wench named Priscilla," "negro wench called Esther," "negro wench called Bena," negro wench named Auba" and any enslaved man upon their selection to his children. The will also outlines that Elias Ball II's executors are to purchase "young slaves" from time to time.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing Comingtee and how badly it has been conducted, sending harnesses by boat, directions for Dublin, a visit from Ann Ball's sister and her family, their son Keating being ill, Mr. Pinckney's reply to the governors letters, the birth of Eliza's child, Dublin discussing the illness of "Little Ned," and the health of the family.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy at Limerick Plantation to Mr. Finby at Comingtee Plantation discussing the enslaved girl Lucinda, her role in the fields, her future roles and John Jacob Ischudy's "use" for her.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the health of the family, the corn, potatoes and rice crops at Kensington and Midway Plantations, and the health of Beck's child.
A list of 339 named enslaved persons at Comingtee/Stoke Plantation with associated figures identified as "quarts." Various names include the name of a parent and the location they work in such as "House."
