Notice of a bill sent to James B. Heyward from C.W. [Enecks?] at Wolfe Hill. Enecks mentions threshing wheat for Heyward and asks him where he should send it. 1p. June 11, 1868.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies and carpenters for Dean Hall and a load of lumber received from the plantation. 2p. April 11, 1866.
Letter from James B. Heyward to William C. Bee seeking a partner in planting Myrtle Grove Plantation. Heyward alludes to an 1854 hurricane that has damaged the long term rice yield at Myrtle Grove but hopes with sufficient capital and his one year of "experience in management under the present system" that a profitable crop of rice could be realized. 4p. November 11, 1866.
List of 118 slaves, (location and exact date unknown), numbered in pen and an additional 12 duplicate names listed at the end in pencil. The list was perhaps compiled as an inventory of property after the death of Nathaniel Heyward (1766-1851). 3p.
List of the number of bushels of all crops harvested each year at Myrtle Grove Plantation from 1848-1852 with the price obtained and the acreage planted. 1p.
Memorandum for purchase of Fife Plantation by Nathaniel Heyward (III), James B. Heyward, and William Henry Heyward from Daniel Heyward Hamilton. The memorandum declares the property will be jointly held by the three and all monies made will either go back into the plantation for operating costs or to pay back the principal and interest of the loan. In addition to the property and slaves of Fife Plantation the Heywards purchased an additional forty slaves from the estate of "Mrs. Hamilton." 3p. January 7, 1852.
Color photograph of a portrait of a young woman. Writing on back of image reads, "Laura Fisher. 11th Grade High School. School Picture. 1972 Fall. North Augusta, S.C."
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney acknowledges Ferguson's letter regarding the theft of a mule from Dean Hall and sends Ferguson supplies and laborers. 2p. June 12, 1866.
Second letter of June 12, 1866, from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney writes that Ferguson's brother thinks the mule thief will cross the river at "Bacon Bridge" and head towards Adams Run and suggests that Ferguson go to "the neighborhood of the 18-mile" house to offer "John Donnelly" a reward if he can capture the thief. 1p.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall. McBurney alludes to problems Ferguson is having with the lack of good labor and discusses cotton and rice options for the next planting seasons. 6p.
Letter from Esther Heyward in Rome, Italy, to her brother, James B. Heyward. Esther writes of her plans to return home soon, claiming that after she sees "Mont Vesuvius and Pompeii, my astonishments will be over." She writes in detail about St. Peter's Basilica and notes that she climbed to the top and that "It was much easier than I expected, but I made it still easier by being carried in a chair." She mentions the time honored tradition of kissing the statue of St. Peter's toe and requests additional funds to pay for the care of her children she left behind in South Carolina. 4p. January 22, 1851.
Letter from Richard Bacot, surveyor, to James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation concerning a plot of land adjacent to Myrtle Grove Plantation. 3p. April 25, 1852.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson repeating the contractual terms for the hired hands McBurney is sending to Dean Hall Plantation. 4p. December 13, 1865.
Notice affirming the charges made by Thomas B. Ferguson against freedmen at Dean Hall Plantation. The military command in Charleston agrees that the freedmen have forfeited their contract with Ferguson and gives them ten days to leave the plantation. 1p. July 13, 1866
Receipt of note to Frank Myers from James B. Heyward for $2500 for the "tenancy of my plantation on Bluff Road twelve miles from Columbia." 1p. March 13, 1863.
Short list of the number of slaves at Rotterdam and Hamburgh Plantations in 1852 delineated by trade, i.e. field hand, carpenter, waterminder and waggoner. 2p.
Small booklet with the names of slaves and the carpenter's tools assigned to them on a yearly basis from 1853-1858 (cover of booklet lists 1852). There is no mention of the plantation but the slave names match several on the list of Fife Plantation slaves (no. 117). 16p.
Letter from Aunt Smith to James B. Heyward telling him about a new missionary that may be able to administer his joint properties in absence of any other missions. 2p. January 16, 1852.
Letter from William Henry Heyward at Clayhall Plantation to James B. Heyward about a recent survey and a misunderstanding concerning the sale of property on or around Myrtle Grove Plantation. 3p. April 25, 1852.
Letter from William Henry Heyward at Whitehall Plantation to James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation concerning dissatisfaction with a recent survey. 2p. April 26, 1852.
Note on the amount of No. 3 crop (crop unspecified) sold by Nathaniel Barnwell, listed by dollar value and the persons who purchased it. 2p. June 7, 1852.
Article of agreement between James B. Heyward, William Henry Heyward and John Chadwick to replant Fife Plantation. John Chadwick, from New York, agrees to provide $15,500 in capital for two-thirds share in the resulting rice crop. 4p. March 14, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning Dean Hall Plantation, including news that one of Ferguson's newly purchased mules has lost its tongue. 2p. March 14, 1866.
Memorandum between Matthew I. Keith, Susan Keith, William Henry Heyward, James B. Heyward, and Maria Heyward concerning a house on Meeting St., Charleston and the use of trust monies to purchase a summer house on Sullivan's Island. 4p. February 16, 1853.
Letter from C.R. Hains to James B. Heyward concerning the accidental? shooting of one of James' slaves, Sam, at a Mr. Perkins' house some months earlier. 3p. January 21, 1855.
Letter from Thomas M. Rhett to James B. Heyward asking him for more time to repay a loan so he can sell property to raise the necessary funds, having "lost my Crop of provisions, and made but a half crop of light Rice. 2p. December 22, 1856.
Statement of receipts and expenditures for the construction of Vernizobre Bank ("bank" believed to refer to a river bank or dyke). Earliest date appearing on the document is an expenditure to the contractor in 1854. 2p.
Ledger for Vernizobre Bank construction (bank termed as a repair to a river) ca. 1860, including entries dated 1859. Ledger itemizes expenses associated with the building of Vernizobre bank and includes payments to various landowners for use of their slave hands and carts. 4p.
Short contract between W.L. Hadine (?), C.R. Hains and James B. Heyward to oversee two unnamed Heyward properties in 1858 and 1859. The handwritten document includes short statements from 1859 detailing the fulfillment of the contract. 1p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to William Henry Heyward about their business agreement with John Chadwick at Fife Plantation. James dislikes the terms of the agreement and doesn't want it extended beyond the one year. He would rather sell Fife "than go into these extortionate bargains for cultivating it." 2p. March 16, 1866.
Letter from Lacklison & Co. in Savannah to James B. Heyward. The letter states that "owing to all communication being cut off from the South," the company is unable to secure from Philadelphia the boilers James had ordered for Fife Plantation. 1p. May 31, 1861.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward in Columbia. James writes Maria about troubles in Savannah and fears the city will fall soon depending "upon the time it will take to reduce the Fort." He continues to mull over the fate of Fife Plantation and its slaves but speaks optimistically about plans for next summer. 8p.
Letter from William Henry Heyward at Savannah to James B. Heyward at Combahee. William Heyward has come to the conclusion that the destruction of slave labor will prevent them from ever turning a profit again on the scale seen in the past. He claims that the bargaining power exercised by the freedmen "makes the Planter a slave, far worse than his slave used to be." Because of the scarcity and high price of labor he believes that he and James should sell most of their properties and concentrate all their efforts on a few. 4p. April 17, 1866.
Letter from fellow Charlestonian Aimee B. Stevens in Pendleton, SC, to Maria Heyward in Columbia. Aimee offers her condolences on the destruction of the Heyward's house in Charleston and inquires if she saved "all her silver." She writes about living with other families who had fled Charleston and the warm "welcome given by the hospitable inhabitants" of Pendleton. 4p. June 17, 1862.
Letter from Edward Barnwell Heyward to James B. Heyward telling James that he is moving all his father's slaves from Combahee and Pocotaligo to Wateree, SC, for safety. He offers James some land nearby to move his slaves to and "rough it out" a while with him. His plan includes putting all his father's slaves in a camp in the woods "out of the wind, and driving rain, plenty of firewood, and dry ground." 8p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward. James writes Maria about a battle at Port Royal Ferry "full of danger to our property" and his anxiety over the dangers of the war. 4p. January 3, 1862.
Letter to James Heyward from J.H. Trapier concerning ideas about crops and livestock for their various properties. Trapier suggests giving the newly freed laborers a stake in the crops grown, noting that he got the idea from a book on "European Agriculture" and that the practice had worked well in Germany. He mentions the difference in labor required for field crops versus the "special cultivation" skills needed for rice propagation. Finally, he asks James for a copy of a blank "Petition for pardon" claiming the hand crafted one he had sent earlier might be rejected because of his refusal "to surrender my ideas in reference to State Sovereignty." 4p. August 18, 1865.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Frank Myers informing him that he most likely will rent his property again but wants time to look for another place "where I may have greater hopes of health and profit." 2p. September 18, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing him that he has purchased 24 head of cattle for him and asks for directions on how to have them delivered. 1p. November 18, 1863.
Written request to T.B. Ferguson from John J. Darcy for payment to James Soughen, with confirmation from Soughen of payment received. 2p. September 18, 1865.
Receipt of monies received by Susan S. Keith from James B. Heyward as executor/trustee of the estate of Nathaniel Heyward. The receipts mostly depict interest from a bond bequeathed to Susan Keith in the will of Nathaniel Heyward. 30p.
Various receipts from the Heyward and Ferguson families including plantation goods and services, rent, and a Civil War receipt for "permanent labor on fortifications." 32p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Daniel Blake Esq., concerning the return of a plat detailing a canal dug on some unnamed plantation. 1p. April 21, 1857.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to James B. Heyward informing him that he has arranged for empty railroad cars to be parked at "Union Road" and that they must be loaded by morning next. 1p. October 24, 1862.
Letter from J. Robert Coburn, missionary, to James B. Heyward requesting refreshments for himself and his pony during his stay at Fife Plantation. 1p. February 27, 1863.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing him that Myers' medical exemptions for service have been revoked and he "will soon leave for the army of Tennessee." He offers James the service of his overseer, Pagett, writing that the slaves "will be much better pleased with him I think than they at present are" claiming their current overseer, Rawlinson, "has endeavored to predjudice (sic) them to him." 2p. November 28, 1863.
Agreement between Frank Myers and James B. Heyward for $4000 for the tenancy of his slaves and the use of 500 acres. 2p. September 25, 1863. (oversized)
Second letter of the same date from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward telling him that he (Myers) may be able to be exempt from service if James would make him his overseer. 1p. November 28, 1863. (second letter)
Letter from J. Robert Coburn, missionary, to James B. Heyward requesting refreshments for himself and his pony during his stay at Fife Plantation. 1p. January 28, 1863.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing him that he should look for another overseer because he is appealing the revocation of his medical exemption for service and that he may need to use the overseer that he had previously offered James. 2p. December 3, 1863.
Itemized account of Gerhard Muller, MD, from May to December, 1862, outlining the specific medical care, with costs, of the slaves of James B. Heyward and William Henry Heyward. 2p. Issued June 6, 1863.
Bond detailing the purchase of a slave from Susan S. Keith to William Henry Heyward and James B. Heyward. The slave, "Joe", was purchased for $2315. 2p. June 1863.
Letter from William Henry Heyward to John P. Meau concerning the assessment for the Confederate Tax of 1864. Letter includes an exhaustive inventory of slaves, acreage, types of crops, etc., for several Heyward plantations including Fife, Myrtle Grove, Rotterdam and Hamburgh. On one unnamed Heyward plantation in St. Peter's Parish, William Henry Heyward writes, "in consequence of the proximity of the enemy the greater portion of this land has been abandoned." 4p. September 24, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward in Columbia to Dr. D.W. Ray, trustee for the late owner whose land James had verbally agreed to rent. James is anxious to move his slaves there for safekeeping but is worried the trustee had no knowledge of the agreement between James and the recently departed owner. James also mentions that he must hasten back to the low country "as my property there is in peril from the proximity of the enemy." 2p. December 19, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward reminding him that only he should receive the rent for the properties Heyward is leasing. 1p. September 7, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward informing Heyward that he cannot accept a clause Heyward wants inserted in their rental agreement. 1p. October 3, 1864.
Letter from Frank Myers to James B. Heyward inquiring if he intends to rent for next year "the place now occupied by your negroes." 1p. August 21, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Mrs. Frank E. Myers concerning rent for Myers' plantation. James is anxious to have an agreement in place because "the time to plant our fall crops is now at hand." James alludes to the ongoing problem concerning the payment of rent in currency. 2p. October 31, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James has traveled back down to his Combahee plantation from Columbia with the hope of being able to check on the condition of his Fife Plantation near Savannah, if the news of the enemy is favorable. He apparently enjoys being back on his own plantation writing "it is delightful here." 3p. December 6, 1864.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James was unable to travel to Savannah as planned due to skirmishes at "Coosahatchie." He mentions the death of an "Edward" at the "Church Creek encampment" and bemoans his inability to get news on local troop movements and battles writing "Sunday night the enemy made a raid on the other side of Combahee and I never heard of it until Tuesday. I fear sometimes they may capture me in bed." 6p.
Christmas day letter from James B. Heyward back at Combahee to Maria Heyward in Columbia. In his letter, James is reflecting on the dire situation and the bleakness of their future believing soon "it will all be over and we shall be reduced to a poverty irretrievable." He struggles with what to do with his slaves given the eventual "scarcity of food" and "depreciated currency." He intends to leave the majority at his plantation but expects to bring up to Columbia "John's wife so as to take from him that temptation to running off." He writes that he will also bring "Mary if she will leave her daughter Molly...I don't value Mary so much as to saddle myself with the support of Molly." 10p.
Letter from Freedmen's Bureau agent F.M. Montell to Lt. James Hann concerning the former slaves still residing at Dean Hall Plantation. Montell writes that Thomas Ferguson wants the freedmen removed "as they have no rights to reside on the plantation after the division of their crops" and that he doesn't want "to have the bad example of idle men" influencing his future hires. Montell also writes of several cases of small pox on the plantation and asks the lieutenant for military help to resolve the situation and provide the "care and attention which the Freedmens Bureau have not the means of affording them." 2p. November 21, 1865.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson informing him that he is sending "8 Irishmen" to Dean Hall Plantation "with six spades and three long handled shovels." 4p. November 19, 1865.
Update from F.M. Montell of the Freedmen's Bureau to Capt. Hodges concerning the removal of former slaves still residing at Dean Hall Plantation. 2p. December 19, 1865.
Third certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 1p. June 26, 1865.
Record of transactions at Bennett's Mill, Charleston, concerning the sale of 1185 bushels of rice. The miller's receipt was apparently used in support of Thomas Ferguson's petition to be remunerated for the seizure of his father's rice. 5p. May 30, 1865.
