A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to Mary thanking her for a package she sent, his poor health and treatment from a doctor, and reflections on a party during the Christmas season. The letter goes on to discuss the Christmas of the "good old days in slavery time, thanks to Mr. Lincoln" and that two servants remain in the household as they "never left us."
A letter from Keating Simons Ball at Comingtee Plantation to William Ball requesting him to take care of a dog while Keating Ball's family moves to the "Pine Lands." The letter goes on to discuss that this dog ran into a flock of sheep and injured one.
A letter from Henry L. Barker at South Mulberry Plantation to William Ball in Cordesville expressing his sympathies for the death of their friend Bill.
A letter from William Ball to his aunt discussing the birth of William's sixth son, him wanting a baby girl, ideas for the name of the boy, his endeavor to write a record on the family, a statement on the original grant of Comingtee Plantation, the "invasion of the Yankees in 1863," descriptions of land plats and questions regarding family history.
A letter from the accommodation wharf Cart, Kopff & Jervey to William Ball discussing the quality and value of rice from John Harleston's plantation. Makes notation, "how are you getting on with the freedmen?"
A letter from the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands regarding the removal of freedman James Simmon from Whitehall Plantation. The letter outlines the rules regarding the removal of freed persons from any plantation.
A letter to Woodward Manning from his brother Ira L. Manning discussing the death of their brother Elisha, the failing cotton crop, the hiring of freedmen, and requesting information on who from their hometown was killed in the war.
A letter to Woodward Manning from Samuel E. Hunt ordering him to "divide your crops with the freedmen and women on your plantation according to the conditions of the "Freedmen's Contract."
A letter to Woodward Manning from the headquarters of the provost marshal's office discussing complaints made against Woodward Manning and his treatment of his "servants."
A letter to Woodward Manning from the Quartermaster's office ordering that any surplus of corn available is to be given to the army through purchase or impressment
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to his mother Eliza C. Ball discussing the birth of William Ball's daughter and Eliza Ball's first granddaughter and the timeline of Faith Ball giving birth. Makes notation on the presence of the enslaved women Masylla and Flora but not Harriet who was sick, and the baby having fingers made to learn how to play the piano "if war ends in time enough for her to learn." The rest of the letter goes on to discuss friends and family visiting the baby, the "negroes" in Charleston, the poor health of Frank, the myrtle berry pickers, and the weather.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and giving potatoes as an allowance to enslaved children.
A torn letter from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing crops and the number of enslaved persons sick. The other side of the letter mentions the death of an enslaved child, a pregnant enslaved woman and a sickness on the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons, an enslaved woman named Lavenia who wishes to work in a different area on the plantation to avoid working with Bob and notes on cotton.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons, making molasses and a sickness spreading on the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing how the enslaved people who were sick are better, making bushels of oats and hogs on the property.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing corn, bad weather that blew down the sugar cane and sick enslaved children.
A letter from Charlotte Allston to her overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing the enslaved man Stephen, his family and the enslaved man Toney who escaped the plantation. She believes that Toney failed to escape the plantation and willingly returned to avoid being captured. She states that Stephen needs to be captured, not because he is valuable but for plantation moral. She further writes that she wishes Toney to be sent to work for the government on the fortifications until the war is over, to not be allowed to see his family and confined until he leaves. She writes that the elder enslaved persons James and Mary, the parents of Stephen, be held as hostages in jail as punishment for their child's escape. She states for them not to have communication with anyone in their family except if a white person is present.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing the crops and tasks performed by enslaved persons. Makes notation that the enslaved person Stephen, his family and the enslaved person Toney escaped the plantation for the "yankees." He explains that one of the boats is missing and how the overseer stayed up all night "not knowing what Stephen will do."
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing crops, a sickness on the plantation and resistance from enslaved persons, particularly females, following Stephen's departure. Makes notation that the enslaved person Toney came back and has not been punished. According to Toney, Stephen tricked Toney to travel with him, only to be told later on that Stephen, who was supposedly armed, was taking his family to the "Yankees" and that Toney needs to come with them. Toney eventually was able to leave and return to the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick and crops. Makes a notation about the enslaved person Toney from Chicora Wood Plantation who returned from the "yankees." The overseer believes Toney and his family should be sent to North Carolina as he does not wish to have him sent to the military.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons and crop farming. Makes an inquiry on what should be done with the enslaved man Toney who is "under the belief that he will be punished."
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and clothes.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick and crops.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. at Delta Plantation to Charles Haskell discussing Cheves' removal of his 250 enslaved persons, his fears of losing his enslaved persons to "the enemy getting a footing in our immediate neighborhood," the area in which the plantation resides being "open to occupation," and his home being used as General Drayton's headquarters.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves discussing mules, Confederate bonds, valuable papers, the purchase of 600 bushels of corn, and Cheves' enslaved persons.
A letter from William P. Carmichael to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the death of one of Cheves' enslaved persons. The enslaved person is described as "prime" and having "walk right overboard-it is supposed he was either asleep, or perhaps wanted to go to the edge of the boat..." The letter goes on to state that rescue attempts were made but "he was not seen after he fell." Carmichael concludes with a discussion on the anticipated arrival of the enslaved persons in Abbeville on rail cars and they are to "not leave the cars, as the same cars are to take them through to Abbeville depot."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the Branch Bank of Charleston, cattle, the enslaved persons petition for tobacco and fixing up their cabins, planting corn, and a cabin for the overseer.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the arrival of Cheves' enslaved persons in Abbeville, one enslaved woman arriving with a fever, bringing the enslaved persons to Turkey Hill Plantation and difficulty procuring mules.
A notice from General Thomas Drayton stating that several plantation owners have refused to remove their enslaved persons from the area as "their removal is necessary for the successful prosecution of his (my) military duties and required by the public interest..."
A letter from Charles Haskell to the Branch Bank of Charleston stating his reasoning for wanting to withdraw $5,000, which includes receiving Langdon Cheves' enslaved persons and needing to make them "comfortable."
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing Haskell's willingness to "do all that is in my power to make your negroes comfortable," moving Cheves' enslaved persons to Haskell's plantation, land cultivation, and securing finances in case of attack.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Charles Haskell discussing Cheves' removal of his 250 enslaved persons due to movement from "the enemy," anticipation of a battle and "my plantation being the theatre of a part of it," the enslaved persons being consigned to William P. Carmichael of Augusta and managed by overseer Stephen Oliver, and the living conditions upon the enslaved people's arrival.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. to Pettigru & King discussing terms for Southfield Plantation. The letter includes the decision to divide enslaved persons into lots and "turned over" to Huger, Haskell and McCord.
A letter sent to Robert F.W. Allston from David Risley concerning a potential foreclosure on the mortgage for Waties Point Plantation. The following page includes Robert Allston's response.
A letter from D.F. Jamison in which he discusses a trial over a disturbance at a religious gathering by enslaved persons. He writes about a quarrel that ensued between two enslaved men, Allen and Jim, at St. Matthew's Parish, which later involved multiple enslaved persons, including Jamison's own "slave boy Sam." The court decided that those involved would receive between twenty-five to one-hundred lashes, depending on the individual's involvement in the quarrel. Jamison makes note that even though his enslaved boy Sam was said to not have been involved due to testimony, the court still sentenced him to lashes and Jamison did not appeal it due to the encouragement of his neighbors. While not present for the lashings, he heard they were severe since a constable, known for his cruelty, was brought in from a neighboring district to perform the lashings. Due to indignation from the crowd over the cruelty performed, the enslaved man Jim, who was sentenced to one-hundred lashes, only received fifty.
A letter to Woodward Manning outlining articles shipped to him by a steamer. The writer makes a notation that he has not found an enslaved person that meets the qualifications Woodward Manning has asked for and that "very few negroes have been in market, and they are selling at high prices."
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing an enslaved coachman named Richard owned by his father "who does not suit him." The letter describes Richard as "large, likely athletic fellow-about 25; naturally competent either to field or house service…" The letter also proposes an exchange of Richard for another enslaved man named Jim.
A letter to Woodward Manning from his brother Ira L. Manning discussing the death of their brother John, a "rage" of yellow fever that has killed 125 people, acquiring land, crops, construction on a railroad in Alabama, and purchasing enslaved persons.