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 division and valuations of Jane Ball's enslaved persons among her sons John Ball Jr. and Isaac Ball upon the death of their father John Ball Sr. The enslaved persons live at Kensington Plantation and are divided into lots for each brother.
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 tax return of John Ball's taxable property made out and paid to Theodore L. Gourdin. The tax returns include tide swamps, pine land, 459 enslaved persons in St. John's Parish, fifteen enslaved persons in the parish of St. Philip's, 260 enslaved persons at Comingtee/Stoke Plantation, 102 enslaved persons at Kensington Plantation and ninety-seven enslaved persons at Midway Plantation.
A list of plates delivered to M.C. Ball belonging to the estate of John Ball Sr. from the Kensington house, Marshland farm, and a house on East Bay Street in Charleston.
A receipt from Elias Ball at Limerick Plantation for items sent by the enslaved man Stepne to Kensington Plantation. Items include leather, calf shins and sheep shins.
A letter from Eleanor Ball at Kensington Plantation to Henry Smith discussing her brother Elias Ball III in England, and an account of payments between Henry Smith and Eleanor Ball for her schooling and board. Also attached is a list of eighteen enslaved persons received by Elias Ball to deliver to Benjamin and Thomas Smith overseas. Includes the statement "the dangers of the sea & death excepted."
A copy of a letter from John Coming Ball at Kensington Plantation to his cousin Ann Waring on the guardianship for John's three female cousins, and his reasonings for choosing Josiah Smith as a potential guardian.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing that week's paper, word from Mr. Lauren's on how the army is helping drive General Washington over the mountains, the belief that General John Burgoyne's army was taken, the fleet of Commodore Biddle, the price of rice, and various notations regarding the Commons House of Assembly.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on receiving John's letter from the enslaved man Jimmey, an order of shingles, business at the plantation, the weather and word that King George III's troops have been defeated.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Kensington Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball exiled in Bristol, England discussing Elias Ball's squadron arriving in Charleston, word of 600 men in the town, payment for enslaved persons, the high tax of that year, and word from Mr. Gaillard regarding the remainder of the estates enslaved persons.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his lodgings at Mrs. Dawson's, the anticipation of hearing news from New York, and a request for venison and duck.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending barrels of salt, the current prices for items and sending an enslaved boy to deliver articles to their father.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending horses and news about General Washington's army.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing old schooners filled with dirt to be sunk in "Hog Island Crick" to "prevent men of war cuming up that way." However, Elias Ball III recounts that Captain Tufts, after sinking three of the four boats, was discovered, and fired upon. The other side of the letter discusses the crop at Comingtee Plantation and allowing the enslaved person Pompey to have nails to finish the garden.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing the placement of troops including at "the river place called mount pleasant." The letter goes on to discuss the governor having been found "to be an old traitor" due to Captain Adam McDonald going under disguise as "one of Kirkland's men" and a committee having been formed to question the governor.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing confinement and Mr. Jamison needing his things from the landing.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving the corks and brandy John sent up, and John being "taken with the troops."
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing brandy for Isaac Ball and a request for watermelons.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of the family, opportunities for John and Elias Ball, and needing the enslaved man Ben to pick up rice.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a shipment of grapes delivered by the enslaved man Ben and a request for papers.
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing health, Isaac Ball visiting Charleston, and the crop at Comingtee Plantation.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina offering advice on how to deal with business and "bad company."
A letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston discussing a handkerchief, and the poor health of their brother Isaac Ball.
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 letter from Catherine Edwards to John Ball at Kensington Plantation requesting an explanation over the "ill will" directed towards her from the Balls upon her attempt at visiting.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops, the enslaved persons Elick, Paul, Pompy and Jimmy.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the death of John who suffered from severe head pain, the death of Beck's child and a shipment of eggs.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing a situation concerning "Cupit's" conduct on the plantation.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston on receiving supplies, the dry weather, the rice crops, and a request for supplies.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing the doctor visiting the plantation, the midwifery, sick enslaved persons from various plantations suffering from fevers or pox, and the rice crops.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing a steamboat, the health of James Coward, the rice and pea crops, and Old Mary sick with fever.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice, pea and corn crops, the death of Mr. Simmons, and the death of young children due to sickness.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing work done on the Santee road, and the construction of a fence at Turkey Hill.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the health of John Ball, the weather, planting slips, the death of Celia at Midway Plantation, and details on when the enslaved persons "strip themselves" when it rained due to the warm weather.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the poor health of John Ball, the planting of slips, the pea and rice crops, the weather, sick children, and the confinement of Eliza.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the recovery of John Ball, the death of the enslaved woman Sarah, the confinement of Eliza, sick children, and the rice crops.
