The Robert W. Allston 1862 Journal consists of entries discussing accounts, prices of items, land papers and a task performed by the enslaved persons Sawney, Mathias and Scipio.
A note from A.J. Woods that certifies an agreement made by James Yates to take care of Robert F.W. Allston's farm, which includes caring for the "negroes."
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.
A document with a testimony stating that the last will and testament of Peter Desvernay is authentic. The reverse page is the actual oath and it also discusses the appraisement of his items. Makes notation that Peter Desvernay is "a free man of color."
Copy of the last will and testament of Robert F.W. Allston outlining his wishes to pay his debts by selling a portion of his estate, with ninety to one hundred "negroes." Robert Allston divides his enslaved persons among his family, often keeping enslaved families together. Referred to as "negroes," the enslaved persons are listed as: Alfred, Alfred's wife Lavenia, Frank and Frank's wife Hester, Thomas, Gilbert, Minda, blacksmith Anthony, Little Jacob, Henry, Solomon, Charles, York, Daniel, cook Joe, Betty, Mary, blacksmith Sam, carpenter Abram, Primus, Nancy, driver Richard, Milly, Amy, Susie, Stephen, Scipio, engineer Prince, cook Toby, valet Stephen and Stephen's wife Lizzie, Robert Allston's "old driver and friend Sam, his wife Mary and son Albert, Nurse Minda and her husband Bowie, blacksmith and engineer Guy, carpenter Billy, Beck and Phoebe. He also leaves his overseer the enslaved girl named Hetty whose "life he has (under heaven) thus far preserved." Robert Allston wishes that his faithful servants, James, Milly, and Mary "receive every proper kindness" from the Allston family as well as fifteen dollars a year. He also states that driver Sam, Moses, and Stephen receive five dollars a year.
A medical receipt from Dr. T. J. Goodwin to James P. Adams recording the patients treated and their fees. Makes notation of the medical treatment of "little negroes" and includes associated figures. The reverse side of the receipt includes the notation "Mr. Jas P. Adams $64.00."
A detailed account of the Battle of Fort Sumter from the Confederate perspective, including the lead-up to the battle and the eventual surrender. The pamphlet also describes the battle from an alternate viewpoint on Cummings' Point and an account of an attempt to intercept Union steamer ships.
A letter from Eliza Ball to her son William Ball discussing a shipment of items such as towels, needles, scissors, a cake canister, honey comb, granite, and buttons on a schooner, a "bundle of work" for Sylvia, Marcia, Mat and Hetty to do, the status of Nanny's eyes and Sylvia's leg, the poor health of Eliza Ball's horse, the work of Handy, the secession of Georgia, the South Carolina company coming up from Morris Island, a sickness (possibly pneumonia) among family members and enslaved persons, and Isaac sending scissors to his mother Hetty.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to his sister, Mary Pringle, in which he defends his son, John Julius Alston, against claims made by his brother-in-law, William Bull Pringle, regarding John Julius excluding Charles Alston Pringle from a new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Mary Pringle to her brother, Charles Alston, in which she appeals to Christian values in order to assure her brother that the recent dispute surrounding John Julius Alston and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery has not impacted their relationship.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Charles Alston to his nephew, Charles Alston Pringle, in which he clarifies John Julius Alston's meeting with Governor Pickens and the Secretary of War, explaining why Charles Alston Pringle did not receive a commission in their new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to his sister, Mary Pringle, in which he clarifies the misunderstanding surrounding John Julius Alston applying to Governor Pickens for his and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Mary Pringle to her brother, Charles Alston, in which she expresses her wish to move on from the family dispute surrounding John Julius Alston and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Charles Alston to his sister, Mary Pringle, in which he defends his son, John Julius Alston, against insults from his brother-in-law, William Bull Pringle.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Charles Alston to his sister, Mary Pringle, in which he explains John Julius Alston's journey to Richmond to see Governor Pickens and the Secretary of War about starting a new Company of Artillery. He presents this story to disprove claims made by William Bull Pringle.
A certificate appointing John Julius Alston to the post of Senior First Lieutenant in the Battalion of Artillery in the Regular Enlisted Force of South Carolina on August 13, 1861. This was signed by Francis Wilkinson Pickens, James A. Duffus, and William H. Peronneau.
A certificate naming John Julius Alston a solicitor in South Carolina on January 16, 1861, signed by John Belton O'Neall, Job Johnston, and Thomas J. Gantt. Chancellor Wardlaw was noted as absent. At the bottom, "United States of America" is crossed out and replaced by "Commonwealth of South Carolina."
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.
Terms for the hiring of enslaved persons owned by the children of John Gooch. Terms include enslaved persons "not to be taken out of the state," "required to furnish two suits of cloths, one of cotton and the other mixed with wool," and to hire a physician if an enslaved person becomes sick.
The Robert F.W. Allston 1860 Almanac is a Miller's Planters' and Merchants Almanac for the year 1860 repurposed as a journal. Personal entries include account pages for bushels of rice, a list of enslaved men, women and children who were born and died at Chicora Wood Plantation, the purchase of enslaved people, a presentation of a billiard table to the Lunatic Asylum, a meeting with Laymen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and work on the Georgetown Railroad.
A bill of sale between Ann Allston Tucker and Robert F.W. Allston for the enslaved woman Abby, the wife of Robert Allston's enslaved man Will, and their five children for $2,400. The names of the children are Caleb, Charlotte, Eliza, Sandy and Lambert.
A record of sale with the title "A Prime Gang of 27 orderly Country-raised Negroes" by Wilbur & Son. Makes notation regarding the sale at a public auction for the following slaves: Sam, Amy, Rodger, Doll, Bella, Moll, Myrcam, Phoebe, Harriet, Mary, Sye, Joe, Flora, Scipio, Daniel, Jane, Emma, High Bob, Thomas and numerous children not referenced by name. Includes associated figures in dollars and the ages and qualifications of each slave.
This document is the last will and testament of Mary Ellison that discusses the distribution of her finances, estate and personal items. Makes the notation that she leaves her daugher Harriet "my negro slaves" listed as Binah, George, May, Robert, Betsey, Jerry, Sam, Jane, Sukey, Sukie's children, Lizzie, Caroline and Eliza.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Pettigru & King discussing terms for Southfield Plantation. The letter includes the decision to divide enslaved persons into lots and "turned over" to Huger, Haskell and McCord.
A letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from his sister Louisa McCord in Columbia, South Carolina discussing her resistance to purchasing more enslaved persons, the Dulles, family and finances.
A newspaper clipping advertising the sale of Southfield Plantation written by Langdon Cheves which includes that 170 enslaved persons live on the plantation, and it is "remarkably healthy for Negros."
