The Edinburgh Evening Courant on Thursday, September 15, 1808, where the graduation of William James Ball, Doctor in Medicine, is mentioned on page three, classes opened at the University of Edinburgh, the speech of William Adam, a list of publications, job openings for a farm overseer and a "man servant" for a small family, and a list of men who obtained "Game Certificates." The remainder of the newspaper posts various lands and properties for sale, excerpts from foreign newspapers, and private correspondences.
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.
The Columbian Herald newspaper printed on Thursday June 7th, 1792 discussing the "India War" from the House of Commons and advertisements for English goods, a meeting for the Fellowship Society, a public auction for Indian muslins, the sale of cargo of the Brigantine Triton from Bourdeaux, 500 dollars for a plan of construction of the "President's House" in Washington, and 500 dollars for a plan of a "capitol to be erected" in Washington. The remainder of the newspaper discusses the trial of Warren Hasting in London, an extract from a letter from Northampton, and a section from the House of Lords on "repealing the tax on female servants."
The Household Account Book of John Ball Sr., 1805-1817, is an account of expenses for household services and needs of the family and servants such as childcare, allowances, the services of a wet nurse, and a pulpit subscription to the Circular Church.
The Travel Expenses Book, 1806-1810, is a bound volume kept by John Ball listing expenses for his travels to New York, Boston, Cambridge, Montreal, Quebec, Philadelphia, Bowling Green, Washington, Alexandria, Trenton, and other locations. Expenses are kept for food, clothing, lodging, and hiring servants. Notes indicate Mr. Ball's rating for service and fare at hotels and taverns in various locations.
