A letter from Isaac Ball in Charleston to his brother Elias Ball in Liverpool discussing the birth of Elias's nephew, "Swinton" being a sponsor for the child's baptism at St. Philip's Church, a spread of yellow fever in Charleston and that between August and November, 236 persons had died from the disease including Isaac Ball's son at the age of nine. The letter goes on to discuss the weather, the destruction of crops, a visit from Swinton, Caroline and Mr. Laurens and weddings in Charleston.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the corn crop, the mill pond, sickness on the plantation, the enslaved man August under Dr. Edward's care who believes August is suffering from consumption, the enslaved women and children gathering peas, and Lucy confined for giving birth to a boy.
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 Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing that he sent Elsie and Thomas down with butter, the birth of an enslaved child, the rice crops and fields, a list of sick enslaved persons, the work of Scipio and Bristol, Billey and Tom each having a sore hand and an inventory of cattle.
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.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing an upcoming birth in John's family, their brother Isaac's courtships, and the statement that "war resounds from all quarters." The letter goes on talking about the inhabitants of Edinburgh and their excessive alcohol and tea drinking, tobacco use, nervous disorders, and the "badly attended" theater.
A letter from E.A. Poyas to William Ball discussing the history of Josiah Smith, cashier of the U.S. Branch Bank of Charleston. Details include Smith's birth at Cain Hoy, his father's position as pastor of the church, the family's relocation to Charles Town due to the father's new position as pastor of the Independent Church or "Pastorship of the White."
The Account Book of Enslaved Persons Belonging to Henry and Rene Ravenel, 1771-1867 records the enslaved children born under the ownership of Henry or Rene Ravenel. The lists include the first name of the child, their parents, date of birth and occasionally includes notes of death or if purchased by another slave owner. This book contains a second use written upside down and back to front.
The Fairfield Plantation Book, 1775-1794, is a clothing and blanketing book containing the names of enslaved persons (1773), children born at the plantation (1775), a list of clothes, blankets and tools given out to enslaved persons (1773-1775), cattle and hog inventory, lists of births and deaths of enslaved persons (1792-1797), and lists of enslaved families at Fairfield and Wappoo Plantations (1773-1797). The book contains a second use written back to front and upside down.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England on receiving goods, money due, a notation regarding births and deaths of enslaved persons, Elias Ball IV's father buying Hyde Park Plantation from Elias Ball III, and the plantation crops and taxes.
