“Stories Collected from Slaves” by Leonarda J. Aimar is a bound volume of formerly enslaved people's stories. In her transcription, she attempted to capture the storytellers’ colloquial speech, now recognized as the Gullah language. The volume includes a list of addresses, occupations, and diseases of African Americans during their enslavement; an eye-witness account of the Battle of Secessionville on James Island during the Civil War in 1862; how enslaved people were returned to their slaveholders following the Revolutionary War; and an account of Sherman's march from Savannah, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. A formerly enslaved man, Sam, provides a detailed account of being a butler, coachman, and horse jockey. He also recounts how Union Army Major Robert Anderson took control of Fort Sumter and the events that transpired there on April 12, 1861. Other accounts include an enslaved man’s recollections of his time as a servant to a plantation overseer who sympathized with the Union during the Civil War and formerly enslaved man Jim Alston’s detailed eye-witness account of the 1876 Cainhoy Riot.
The Horlbeck Daybook, 1835-1837, was kept by members of the Horlbeck building and architectural business. Included in the daybook are lists of work done for clients such as remodeling, repair, or construction. Buildings worked on include the jail, St. Stephen's Chapel, the Fire Master's Department, and the Poor House. The descriptions include types of materials used and the number of Black and White employees working. Black employees consist of enslaved and freed persons.
The Stoney Account Book, 1837-1838, and Plantation Daybook, 1852 is a bound volume kept by the Stoney family, possibly John Stafford Stoney, in which the first half of the book documents payments for shipping, freights, wharfage and commissions from GM Thompson, Wade Hampton II, William Cunningham, Robert E. Russell, Mary Hampton, Horace Osborne & Co., John Preston, and Nesbit Manufacturing Co. The second half of the book was written by a plantation overseer at Medway Plantation in which he documents the tasks performed by enslaved people and the slaves who missed work due to sickness. The names of the slaves are listed as: Abraham, Andrew, Beck, Bella, Bess, Binah, Bob, Brooke, Celia, Cesar, Charlot, Cily, Dido, Dinah/Old Dinah, Dolly, Edward, Elsey, Grace, Hector, Hercules, Jack, Jackey, Kate, Maully, Moses, Old Elley, Old Felix, Old Jerry, Peter, Philaskey, Philis, Pussy, Quash, Robert, Robin, Rosannah, Sam, and Samey.
The Horlbeck Ledger, 1839-1847, is a bound volume by members of the Horlbeck building and architectural business. The book records work done for clients White and Black employees and specifies the type of repair, remodeling or construction jobs and supplies. Black employees are comprised of enslaved persons and freed men and women.
The Paul De St. Julien Ravenel Estate Book, 1829-1841 is an estate account book kept by Henry Ravenel for the estate of Paul D. Ravenel with pages on money received, spent or payments paid, including payments for the hiring of enslaved people. The last few pages of the book are lists of slaves, referenced by first name, and the number of sheets given out.
A torn letter to William Clarkson from Reverend Napoleon B. Screven with a message of Christian exhortation that Screven requests Clarkson to convey to his enslaved persons. The letter also mentions the inability to sell the wife of an enslaved man.
Two separate torn letters to William Clarkson from Reverend Richard Johnson and M. Johnson which mentions making better accommodations for the "coloured people" of the parish.
A letter from John Cheeseborough to his aunt Elizabeth Frances Blyth discussing the hiring of the enslaved man York. Makes notation that he would be "very unwilling to sell him where he could not be with his family."
A letter from John Cheeseborough to his aunt Elizabeth Frances Blyth discussing the purchase of the enslaved man York. Makes notation that he is "unwilling to sell him to any one so that he cannot occasionally see his family."
A statement by attorneys Lockwood and Ramsey concerning an unsatisfied mortgage on two enslaved persons sold by Francis Simons to John R. Matthewes. The names of the enslaved persons are Malsey or Molsey and Julia.
Agreement between Elizabeth Frances Blyth and overseer William Thompson outlining Thompson's duties at Friendfield and the Point Plantations which include overseeing the "negroes" with "moderation and humanity."
Receipt for impressment for six enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston sent to perform labor for the Confederacy's military. The enslaved persons are listed as "Ravelny," Albert, June, Sandy, Janus and Jonas. The document also notes the valuation for each enslaved person and their term of service.
Receipt for impressment for two enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston sent to perform labor for the Confederacy's military. The enslaved persons are listed as Toby and Quash. The document also notes the valuation for each enslaved person and their term of service.
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Salone, Sammy, Jacob, Mary, Sancho, June and Abraham.
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Page, Handy, Charles, Joe, Jim, Snow, Sandy, Dick, Hardtimes and Prince.
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Tom, Ackamore and Richard.
The Estate General J.W. Allston in Account with A.W. Campbell, 1834-1857, is an account book kept for the estate of Joseph Waties Allston. The first half of the book records payments and bonds paid on behalf of J.W. Allston's estate by executor A.W. Campbell. The second half of the book records payments and bonds paid on behalf of the estate by executor Robert F.W. Allston. Payments include those for the hiring and purchasing of enslaved persons.
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.
A list of offenses resulting in exclusion from the clergy which includes murder, "robbing church," "robbing any persons in their dwelling house," "buggery," piracy, accessories in "petty treason," stealing, rape, burglary, "consulting with evil spirits, taking up dead bodies for purposes of witchcraft," "persons connected with slaves in actual insurrection guilty of treason," and "carrying away a slave."
The Baptism Book for Enslaved People at Walworth and Leamington Plantations, 1848-1853, is a record of enslaved men, women and children who were baptized under officiating ministers Rev. William Dehon and Rev. Christopher D. Gadsden. The book also makes notations regarding enslaved persons who were dead upon receiving baptism. The last two pages are entries about the enslaved persons who underwent the rite of confirmation.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing a shipment of corn, oakum, coffee, sugar, the plantation crop, construction of the flat, and needing enslaved persons for work.
A bill of sale for three enslaved men between Jenkins MiKell and Harold Cranston for $1,500. The names of the enslaved men are listed as Kit, April and Carlos.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing his brother traveling to Hunting Island for palmettos, the enslaved persons Noble and Eugene repairing the plantation boat, requesting for the use of the enslaved man Dedfort in exchange for an enslaved boy, and Vidal suffering from a sickness.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing the enslaved "noble Dedfort," assistance of Captain William in carting timber, that the enslaved workers are "there to obey your order," and a shipment of tobacco, whiskey and molasses.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal primarily discussing the enslaved man Dedfort, a delivery of sugar, coffee and an anchor and chain.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal requesting the use of the enslaved person Dedfort for Vidal's brother who is in need of assistance in piloting a raft.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing enslaved persons delivering a jug of whiskey, his inability to get shoes, and Vidal expressing to Cranston that "white or black were under your control." Vidal further writes about talks among his enslaved persons but that he does not believe them. He ends by discussing a man named Tony getting drunk in the village.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing an enslaved person named Dedfort, selling wood, the hiring of workmen, delivering wood to Sullivan's Island, boat captain Sinclair and purchasing tar.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing Vidal's questioning of the enslaved persons. Concerning the enslaved persons, Vidal writes, "if you have too much familiarity, it will spoil them." He continues by discussing a boat and the unknown location of his rafts.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing a vessel ready to transport items and Vidal's haste to Summerville. Vidal makes the notation he would put the "black hand" to work unloading items if Cranston transports them on the vessel.
The James Simons Account Book, 1838-1854, contains financial information for Mrs. Harleston Simons in account with James Simons. Accounts include payments made for shoes, clothing, slave badges, and wages for enslaved persons. The names of the enslaved persons are written as Martha, Billy, John, Sammy, Annette, Lydia, Charlotte, and Richard.
A fragment of a plantation journal listing enslaved persons at Murry Hill Plantation. The pages include a list of enslaved men, women and children, notes on clothes for enslaved persons and births and deaths.
A letter from John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing a delayed visit due to rain, and the departure of the enslaved woman Phyllis from the rectory (believed to have gone to Comingtee Plantation) with the hope that "she might be at liberty to idle away." The letter goes on to discuss an earlier situation with Phyllis breaking the Ischudy's rules regarding "servants" eating breakfast and dinner. Due to her behavior, Ischudy writes that Phyllis was whipped with a "chincopen switch" and gave her "five or six cuts upon the shoulders." He ends his letter stating that Phyllis "has not been ill treated" and wishes for John Ball to punish her if she arrives at Comingtee Plantation.
A tax return for Elias Ball III that includes acres of swamp, pineland and 246 enslaved persons at Comingtee, Strawberry Ferry and Limerick Plantation.
A tax return for Elias Ball III for acres, pine land, two carriage wheels, 246 enslaved persons, four enslaved persons at the property of Miss Ball and eighty enslaved persons under the account for John Moultrie Jr.
Release for Hope Plantation, Charleston District, owned by William Elliot Morris and Anna E. Morris, with the names of eighty-five enslaved persons. The two enslaved men Isaac and John are described as "these are in town."
A reply letter from Robert Heriot to Mary Heriot in which he thanks God for their "miraculous escape" as well as concerns over Heriot's status as a prisoner of war on parole, his plea that the British require no "test of allegiance" for the inhabitants of Waccamaw (Georgetown County, S.C.), family and financial matters, and the fate of enslaved persons who ran away from the Heriot plantation.
A letter from Mary Heriot to Robert Heriot concerning a "narrow escape" which she and her family experienced during fighting near their home. Makes note that Gentry was shot and that there is an order to apprehend runaway enslaved persons from the plantation.
Letter from Eliza Lucas Pinckney to her daughter Hariott Horry concerning family matters, a female enslaved person (referenced as "my little maid"), wallpaper, seeds, and clothes.
A typewritten transcription from Barnwell District of a deed of gift of young enslaved persons from Wilson Cook to his children. The names of the enslaved children are Abram, Henry, Nell and Sal.
