A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston to assist John, the confinement of Susey's children due to sickness, business matters, and John's education. The letter ends discussing the enslaved man Nat and his wages.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing traveling to Newport, Susey's boys and her financial struggles, the health of citizens in Charleston, and a publication on the number of deaths in the city for whites and blacks. The letter ends discussing the deaths of the P.M. Parker, the newly elected assistant rector of St. Philip's Church and Cousin Corbett's son Tom.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Allston's poem at college, that John has "grown very fat," Mr. Williams contracting a disease, the "nature of man," the family leaving for the winter, and the Battalion of the 30th Regiment under John Ball Sr.'s command.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing finances for William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland, and national politics.
A letter from Professor E. Pearson at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Jr.'s standing at the university including his absence due to sickness.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball Sr. discussing William James Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the rice crop.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, John's arrival in Massachusetts and the status of his luggage, John Ball Sr. suffering from "the fall fever," the death of Mr. John Cordes at Pine Ville, and advice to John Ball Jr. to wear warm clothing during the winters for fear of getting consumption.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of items sent to Boston.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts inquiring into John Ball Jr.'s passage to Massachusetts, the death of John Ball Jr.'s colt, and advice on how to avoid "evil company" who partake in "drinking, gaming and the company of lewd women." The letter goes on to write that families would rather have a relative die to "cover the infamy of the family" than have a relative partake in drinking and gaming, using an example of Doctor B's son who gave "himself to drunkenness" and died.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's poor health, travel and Jane Ball's poor health. The letter ends with a notation that "the news of peace has put a stop to the selling of rice."
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing letter writing, damage to the crops in South Carolina, and the British troops in the Napoleonic Wars.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing the birth of a baby in John's family, other family matters, and the observation that many inhabitants in Edinburgh have a wooden leg due to sickness.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his travels, classes in physics, chemistry, and anatomy, the "Corsican Hero," and Lord Nelson's death fighting against the French and Spanish.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing the family's passage to Charleston, Jane Ball's health, numerous deaths from sickness and the burial of Col. Darrell of the Artillery.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing education, health, money, and sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston to assist John.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, his "moral & religious virtues," Sullivans Island being "flocked" by people, the cotton and rice crop, the upcoming feast hosted by Uncle Ball, and updates on family members.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing hunting with his brothers, the Christmas holiday, and Scottish religion.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing travel, john Ball Jr.'s health and John leaving school due to sickness.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing money, the winter in Scotland, yellow fever in Charleston and that "our medical men have never attempted the cure of it by the affusion of cold water." The letter goes on to state William's opinions on finding a cure for yellow fever, and the birth of a baby boy between John Ball Sr. and his second wife Martha Taveau.
