Black-and-white image depicting north view of McLeod Plantation. Writing on back of image reads, "McLeod Plantation house - James Island. Jan. 1977. By George McDaniel."
Black-and-white photograph, on card, of a portrait of a man. The area of the photograph where his eyes are has received damage. Writing on back of card reads, "W.E. McLeod."
Black-and-white image depicting postcard featuring the McLeod Plantation. Inscription on bottom right corner reads, "McLeod Plantation House, James Island - Charleston, S.C."
Color illustration of azalea bushed under live oak trees. Text on illustration reads, "Azaleas under the live oaks, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, S.C."
Two unidentified women sitting on the steps of the McLeod’s front porch, each holding a white cat. William McLeod’s dog is sitting on the steps with them.
Report on the drainage of James Island, Charleston County, S.C., by George M. Warren, Drainage Engineer, and Arthur G. Hall, Assistant Drainage Engineer. The report was prepared under the direction of C.G. Elliott, Chief of Drainage Investigations, in June 1911.
This diary, written by an unnamed member of the McLeod family, contains entries throughout 1927 and October 1931. Most entries concern the weather, the author's health, and author's interactions with various friends and family members.
Plantation journal from McLeod Plantation. It lists the names and accounts of workers (1910-1921), contains notes on crops (1926-1944), and has a number of family accounts (1927-1965).
Letter from A. E. Niles of the Freedmen's Bureau to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation affirming the dismissal of a freedmen laborer from Ferguson's employ. 1p. November 7, 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.
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.
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.
Nathaniel Heyward writes from the "Bluff" on Combahee to his grandson James B. Heyward. He references a conflict, "Morris Vs. Wilson," vowing "not to interfere" and leaves James an order for cotton and stone lime. 2p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" at "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. His aunt writes about the family, how ice has destroyed their avenue of oaks, and comments on how the legislature in Columbia is attempting to make the college there the only one in the state and turn Charleston College into a preparatory school. 4p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" at "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. In addition to updating James on family news, the writer comments on the historic low temperatures of the winter, the destruction of St. Philips Church in Charleston due to fire, and the presence of elephants and other "Beasts" in town, presumably overwintering circus animals. 4p.
Letter from an unknown sender in "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The letter writer mentions several mutual friends and family and informs James of weddings and social events in Beaufort and Charleston. The writer also mentions James' grandfather's trips to attend to plantation affairs in Pon Pon, a new house being built along the Ashepoo and other trips to Hilton Head and "Hunting Islands." 4p.
Letter to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass., from his aunt, Mrs. Smith, in "Old Fort", Beaufort. His aunt refers to a campus "rebellion" that James survived and relates news from family and friends. 4p.
Letter from an unknown sender in Charleston to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The letter writer informs James of the news of family and friends including many well-known Charleston families. She also mentions a devastating fire that recently occurred that burned through parts of Meeting, East Bay, Market, Pinckney, Hasell and Guignard streets writing "it is really gloomy to ride in that part of the Town now for the last winter's fire meets this one just at the Market." 4p.
Letter from William Manigault Heyward at "Pine Land" to his mother, Henrietta Heyward. William thanks his mother for the "box of Hermitage" and asks her to tell his father, Nathaniel, that he is preparing a letter about the saw mills and plantations along the Combahee that he is apparently overseeing. 3p.
Letter from Alice Izard Heyward to her mother-in-law Henrietta telling her she is sending some flannel via "Capt. Morgan" and is looking forward to a trip to the "Elms." 2p.
Letter from Hetty Heyward from her Combahee plantation to her mother, Mary Barnwell, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Hetty keeps her mother abreast of the latest news in the family and mentions a busy social schedule and an upcoming Heyward family wedding in Charleston. 4p.
Letter from Hetty Heyward from her Combahee plantation to her mother, Mary Barnwell, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Hetty sends her mother a list of items for her to purchase and $40 to cover the cost and thanks her for her pickled oysters and artichokes. 3p.
Letter from Nathaniel Heyward at Combahee to his grandson James in Cambridge, Mass. In his letter, Nathaniel provides additional monies to pay James' debts and reprimands him for his extravagance. Nathaniel mentions that James' brother, Nathaniel, has bought a house in Beaufort and is building "a lofty one at White Hall." He tells James that when he returns from college in October "being of age (21) - I shall resign my administration, and leave you with the rice crop." He also notes that all is peaceful and well at Combahee, "notwithstanding the Growls of the Abolitionist." 3p.
Letter from Aunt M. Smith in Beaufort to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. In her letter, she informs James about the news of family and friends and mentions that she was hoping to go to Charleston to visit a dentist "to Beautify your Uncle and myself in our old days--not wishing yet to be accounted toothless." 4p.
Letter from Aunt M. Smith in Beaufort to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. Upon hearing of James' recent trip to Canada, his aunt relates the story of her trip there seven years earlier when "Quebec only had one good hotel and Montreal...not half enough to accomodate the numerous travelers." She writes of news of the family and of the several parties in Beaufort. 4p.
Letter from Aunt M. Smith in Old Fort, Beaufort to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. James' aunt writes at length of the politics of "Columbia College" in South Carolina including the news that his friend has been named president. 4p.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Joseph Daniel Pope concerning a recent monetary judgment against him. Heyward asks Pope to look into the matter and thinks it may have something to do with an ongoing dispute with Frank Myers concerning property Heyward rented during the war. 4p. December 27, 1870.
Letter from Edward Barnwell Heyward to James B. Heyward concerning the valuation of certain mutual properties including Lewisburg Plantation, "Calf-pen" and "Pine-lands." 2p. March 29, 1867.
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.
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 operations at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney relates that he has been approached to provide lumber for building houses in town and asks Ferguson if the mill can provide it. 2p. April 26, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning operations at Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney writes about a mix up in an order for a saw blade and mentions that he visited a laborer in the hospital who had been injured at Dean Hall. 2p. May 2, 1866.
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.
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 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)
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.
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 William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning a shipment of supplies that arrived without an invoice. McBurney wants Ferguson to inventory the contents of the shipment to compare later to the invoice. 2p. March 7, 1866.
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.
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.
Letter from T. Linard (?) of the Freedmen's Bureau to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation. Linard is responding to a complaint from Dennis Cash, a freedman in Ferguson's employ, about the destruction of his private crops by Ferguson's hogs and mules. 2p. September 5, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies for Dean Hall Plantation including zinc, cement, a hammer and 6 mules. 2p. February 26, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney in Charleston to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation concerning the hiring of freedmen. McBurney writes that after a survey of other Cooper River plantation owners he finds that most are offering a share of the crop instead of monthly pay "whether from a want of ability to pay wages or because they believed an interest in the crop would secure a more steady course of labor and prevent stealage." McBurney informs Ferguson that he has written up a contract and submitted it to General Scott at the Freedmen's Bureau for acceptance. He fears the general will alter his submitted contract in favor of the former slaves and writes that officials in the bureau think the "freedman and the white northern laborer" are the same. 2p. February 1, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies for Dean Hall Plantation and a mix up with an order for a mill through Cameron Barkley & Co. He also writes about the labor contract created with the freedmen at Dean Hall and tells Ferguson he should be the first to sign the contract kept at the Freedmen's Bureau and that "the one to be retained should be signed by the Darkies first." 4p. February 21, 1866.
Letter from Capt. H. S. Hawkins to the Asst. Adjutant General of the Military District of Charleston regarding the freedmen at Thomas B. Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. Capt. Hawkins writes that Ferguson had come to Dockon to inquire if the freedmen living there would contract to work the plantation and the freedmen replied, according to Hawkins, that they "would not work for any rebel son-of-a-bitch." Since the time for the freedmen to legally reside there has elapsed and the Freedmen's Bureau has sanctioned their removal, Ferguson wants them evicted and Capt. Hawkins, in his letter, is requesting explicit authority to "put off the objectionable negroes by force." 2p. January 5, 1866.
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.
Lengthy contractual agreement between Thomas B. Ferguson and the freedmen and women workers at Dean Hall Plantation. The contract, approved by the Freedmen's Bureau, outlines the conditions of employment for the freedmen including, "comfortable quarters" and one acre of land, monetary penalties for unexcused absences, ten hour work days, and rules concerning tools, work animals and plantation upkeep. One term in the contract, crossed out, specified that the freedmen were to receive one-half of the entire crop though it was amended later to one-third. 4p. February 20, 1866. (oversized)
Second letter of May 5, 1866, from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney asks Ferguson to finish the tax returns on Dean Hall and sends him a mill worker. The laborer has agreed to the $15 per month salary with rations "consisting of one peck corn, or ten quarts of meal and three lbs of bacon pr week and one quart of Salt and one quart of molasses pr month." 2p.
Third letter of May 5, 1866, from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson. McBurney discusses the ongoing struggle to obtain a saw blade of the correct dimensions claiming the company he ordered it from cannot forge one because the proper sized plate "is on board the colera (sic) ship and cannot be had until she is permitted to discharge cargo." 2p.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Note briefly describing the property of Fife Plantation along the Savannah River. The note includes a crude map of the plantation boundaries including the river, the property of Robert Smith to the north and northeast and the property of Joseph Heyer to the south. 2p.
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.
Note of expenses owed by James B. Heyward to William Henry Heyward as co-owner of Fife Plantation. The expenses are associated with their attempt to sell Fife and include fees for advertising the plantation in Charleston and Savannah. 1p.
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 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 William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies sent to Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney writes that this is an unplanned trip up the river to Dean Hall for "Cap Christian" and he might expect Ferguson to have something to ship back to town to make it worth his while. 1p. July 2, 1866.
Letter from William McBurney to Thomas B. Ferguson concerning supplies sent to Dean Hall Plantation. McBurney apologizes for sending articles on the sloop "Bird" instead of the "R E Lee" and returns a butter tin sent to him by Ferguson. He writes, "I think your dairy maid needs instruction,..., Mrs. McB thanks you for the butter but thinks there is room for improvement." 1p. July 21, 1866.
