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."
Receipt for impressment for six enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston sent to perform labor for the Confederacy's military. The enslaved persons are listed as "Ravelny," Albert, June, Sandy, Janus and Jonas. The document also notes the valuation for each enslaved person and their term of service.
Receipt for impressment for two enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston sent to perform labor for the Confederacy's military. The enslaved persons are listed as Toby and Quash. The document also notes the valuation for each enslaved person and their term of service.
A list of enslaved men given blankets who are identified as needing them the most. The reverse side of the document refers to clothes, jackets and pants made in the house.
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.
Appraisement and inventory of the personal estate of the late Robert F.W. Allston. The list includes plates, china, furniture found at the mansion in Charleston, sundries at numerous plantations, tools, securities and a list of 590 enslaved persons divided by plantations including one in North Carolina.
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 report signed by Robert F.W. Allston, his overseer Jesse Bellflowers and the reporting Dr. describing the death of an enslaved man named Joe who died following an injury from a fall.
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 message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Page, Handy, Charles, Joe, Jim, Snow, Sandy, Dick, Hardtimes and Prince.
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Tom, Ackamore and Richard.
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.
The Robert W. Allston 1862 Journal consists of entries discussing accounts, prices of items, land papers and a task performed by the enslaved persons Sawney, Mathias and Scipio.
A note from A.J. Woods that certifies an agreement made by James Yates to take care of Robert F.W. Allston's farm, which includes caring for the "negroes."
A message signed by J. McCrady confirming that enslaved persons owned by Robert F.W. Allston arrived for work at South Island Plantation. The names of the enslaved are Salone, Sammy, Jacob, Mary, Sancho, June and Abraham.
Terms for the hiring of enslaved persons owned by the children of John Gooch. Terms include enslaved persons "not to be taken out of the state," "required to furnish two suits of cloths, one of cotton and the other mixed with wool," and to hire a physician if an enslaved person becomes sick.
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 newspaper clipping advertising the sale of Southfield Plantation written by Langdon Cheves which includes that 170 enslaved persons live on the plantation, and it is "remarkably healthy for Negros."
The Robert F.W. Allston with Robert Adger and Co. Account Book, 1860, is a journal recording household and grocery expenses for Robert Allston. Among the lists includes items for enslaved persons such as cloth and toothbrushes. Many entries also contain records of payments to specific individuals.
The Robert F.W Allston Account Book, 1860-1861, documents payments, a recipe to help cure rabies, stocks for Nightingale Hall and Chicora Wood Plantations and the names, births and deaths of enslaved people. The book also includes diary entries for when Robert Allston visited Manassas, Virginia at the Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War, recording conversations he had about the battle, the atmosphere of the army camps and the death of General Barnard E. Bee.
A fragment of a plantation journal listing enslaved persons at Murry Hill Plantation. The pages include a list of enslaved men, women and children, notes on clothes for enslaved persons and births and deaths.
A bill of sale for twenty-one enslaved persons purchased by Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves from Pierce Butler for $17,275. The names of the enslaved persons are Philip, Hannah, Pender, Leve, Rachel, Kate, Cuffy, Abigail, Suckey, Cuffy, Sandy, Adam, Charlotte, Lea, Sally, Maria, Lima, Clementina, Tubby, Buck, and Noble.
A document discussing the sale of two enslaved women named Flora and Mary sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves from Alexander Verdiu.
A bill of sale between Robert F.W. Allston and Joseph Allston for two enslaved persons named Wiltshire, a bricklayer, and Jimmy who has a weak bladder. The enslaved persons were bought for $1,500.
A list of enslaved persons bought and sold between Mrs. Withers and Dr. Fraser. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Francis, Caesar, Sary, Israel, Esther, William, Dinah, Quash and William.
A bill of sale for thirty-one enslaved persons sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves from R.B. Rhett for $19,775. The names of the enslaved persons are Moses, Caesar, Sylvia, Juliet, Linda, Johnson, Katy, Carolina, Joanne, Maria, Oliver, Violet, Marley, John, Dembo, Bina, Minty, Ben, Nelly, Sampson, Betty, Sharper, Dick, Peggy, Grace, "Glasee," Tyra, Hannah, Rinah, and Hannah.
A mortgage for thirty-one enslaved persons between R.B. Rhett, Langdon Cheves Jr. and his sister-in-law Isabella Cheves for $14,200. The names of the enslaved persons are Moses, Caesar, Sylvia, Juliet, Linda, Johnson, Katy, Caroline, Joanne, Maria, Oliver, Violet, Marley, John, Dembo, Bina, Minty, Ben, Nelly, Sampson, Betty, Sharper, Dick, Peggy, Grace, "Glasee," Tyra, Hannah, Rinnah, and Hannah.
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."
The Robert F.W. Allston Account Book covers the years 1857-1859 discussing Chicora Wood and Nightingale Hall Plantations. The book includes information on acres of land, stock and cattle, payments and accounts, a purchase of forty-one enslaved persons and the number of enslaved persons at each plantation in which they are listed as dependencies. Book includes a second use with passages written from the back of the book towards the front.
A list of enslaved persons given blankets. The document also includes notations that the enslaved man James is a carpenter and had an epileptic attack, Joe is a carpenter and cooper, and Murria is half-witted.
A copy of the last will and testament of Robert Pringle, written in 1774 and copied in 1854, where he divides his estate among his remaining relatives. He gives his daughter Elizabeth Pringle an enslaved girl named Jenny.
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.
An agreement regarding five enslaved persons bequeathed to Henry Hilliard Gooch's children. The name of the enslaved persons are Patience, Tillman, Louisa, Nancy and Amanda.
A bill of sale for six enslaved persons sold by Jacob Waldburg, administrator of the estate of John McIntosh to Langdon Cheves Sr. The enslaved persons were sold for $5,100 and their names are listed as Hamlet, Priscilla, Wallace, Cinda, Jim, and Sandy.
A bill of sale for the enslaved woman Amey and her child Zachariah sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. from James Gadsden for $800. Gadsden is the executor of the estate of B.R. Mitchell, deceased.
A bill of sale for eight enslaved persons sold from Constantia Quash to Langdon Cheves Jr. for $4,080. The names of the enslaved persons are Minos, Dinah, Scipio, Caesar, Jenny, Jack, Rosey. and Minos.
A four-page unattached letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing items received, letters during Langdon Cheves Sr.'s time in Congress, statements regarding enslaved persons and a plantation book. The other pages include an account for materials, a Dr.'s bill for enslaved persons, financial business, and remarks.
A bill of sale for twelve enslaved persons sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. from William Seabrook and William McLeod for $7,800. The names of the enslaved persons are listed as Isaac, Hercules, Israel, Jenny, Mary, Joe, Tim, Die, Walley, Cuffy, Nelly, and James.
Medical bill from Dr. Andrew Hasell to Joseph Allston at Waverly Plantation. The bill includes names of the enslaved persons treated, their illness or injury, medicine and cost of treatment.
The Robert F.W. Allston Account Book, 1853-1855, records the numerous payments, receipts, debts and purchases and yearly crop information for Chicora Wood, Waverly and Nightingale Hall Plantations. Also included in the book are sections on births, deaths and marriages for enslaved people, writing down the first name of the men and women who married.
The Baptism Book for Enslaved People at Walworth and Leamington Plantations, 1848-1853, is a record of enslaved men, women and children who were baptized under officiating ministers Rev. William Dehon and Rev. Christopher D. Gadsden. The book also makes notations regarding enslaved persons who were dead upon receiving baptism. The last two pages are entries about the enslaved persons who underwent the rite of confirmation.
A bill of sale for five enslaved persons from Debose, Palmer and Peyre to Langdon Cheves Jr. for $3,480. The names of the enslaved persons are Job, "Cotter" or "Cotta," Charles, Moses, and Robin.
A bill of sale for the purchase of four enslaved persons sold to Langdon Cheves Jr. for $2,305. The names of the enslaved persons are "Kiewah," Sarah, Mary, and Phoebe.
A mortgage for twelve enslaved persons for $7,380 dollars from Robert F.W. Allston to Francis Weston and Alexander Robertson. The names of the enslaved persons are Nancy, Sammy, Molly, Boston, Venus, Peter, Matilda, Jane, Sancho, Abby, Harry and Limas.
The Estate General J.W. Allston in Account with A.W. Campbell, 1834-1857, is an account book kept for the estate of Joseph Waties Allston. The first half of the book records payments and bonds paid on behalf of J.W. Allston's estate by executor A.W. Campbell. The second half of the book records payments and bonds paid on behalf of the estate by executor Robert F.W. Allston. Payments include those for the hiring and purchasing of enslaved persons.
