A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac at Kensington Plantation on receiving money from Keating Simons, notations regarding 1,500 to 2,000 men from the "back country", and the closing of stores in Charleston.
A torn letter from Elias Ball III at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Edward "Ned" Simons and an offer about a gun.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on not receiving letters from John and a request for newspapers.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of Isaac Ball and requesting white sugarcane and "negro leather."
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a potential visit from his half siblings.
A copy of the last will and testament of Judith Ball in which she leaves her son John Ball furniture and other household goods, her daughter Jane Ball furniture, china and "one negro man named Jacob, one negro wench Rinah" and "one other wench named Violet." Judith Ball leaves her daughter Eleanor Ball money, her son-in-law Elias Ball money and horses, her niece Esther Roberts money and the remainder of her estate to her children split evenly among them. The remainder of the will appoints Elias Ball and Robert Quash as executors.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his lodgings at Mrs. Dawson's, the anticipation of hearing news from New York, and a request for venison and duck.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending barrels of salt, the current prices for items and sending an enslaved boy to deliver articles to their father.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on delivering a letter through the enslaved man Harvy, word regarding a battle in New York and numerous statements on the troops in Charleston.
A letter from Lydia Ball Simons to her brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation. The letter discusses her receiving word from John by the enslaved man Adam, her wanting John to come for her the following week and the going price for bushels of salt.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on receiving John's letter from the enslaved man Jimmey, an order of shingles, business at the plantation, the weather and word that King George III's troops have been defeated.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother John Ball at Kensington Plantation on sending horses and news about General Washington's army.
Fragments of a letter from Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball. Fragments reveal discussions on death, newspapers, Mr. Laurens, and sick enslaved persons.
The division of enslaved persons owned by Judith Ball. Information includes the names of the enslaved persons, their valuations, and the notation that the enslaved boys Almanza and Bob were exchanged.
An inventory and appraisement of the estate of Judith Ball, deceased, listing the names and valuations of the enslaved men, women, and children she owned.
A list of enslaved persons owned by Elias Ball II at Kensington and Comingtee Plantations. Information includes the names of the enslaved persons and date of birth.
A letter written by Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing Mr. Gaillard, a "great disturbance with mobbs," "the division of the estate's negroes," advice given by attorney general "Alix Moultrie," the legislation, crop at Comingtee Plantation, trouble with newly purchased enslaved persons and their work methods, rice at Backriver Plantation and "negro carpenters."
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing severe wind and rain resulting in property and crop damage at Comingtee and Limerick Plantations. Makes notation that "the negroes are disheartened to lose all they have been working for..."
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing a recovery from a fever, the death of a child from fever, struggles with the rice field, attempts at selling lumber, the Wambaw swamp and lands and the sale and purchase of "confiscated property" by various men. Makes notation that the "negroes have not been sold" as well as a notation regarding the enslaved persons owned by Elias "Wambaw" Ball following the division of his estate.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a testimonial for Elias Ball III's property, specifically the sale of a portion in Georgetown, the state of the corn crop, the "unfavorable spring" for Santee and PeeDee Plantations, and a lawsuit against John Ball.
A receipt for Dr. Sam McCormick from John Coming Ball for expenses such as a visit to Back River Plantation, and medicine or medical visits for the enslaved persons Marcus, Pompey, Violet's child, and Nelly.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing Thomas Gaillard and payments, apprehension of purchasing bills using credit, a rampant fever that has affected family at Kensington Plantation, the overseer named Comings, the sale and purchase of "Fishpond by the Harlestons," a notation regarding fifteen enslaved persons, rice crops and the belief of another revolution or war within the United States.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing a bill of exchange for "Manning & Vaughan," Thomas Gaillard and payments, Elias "Wambaw" Ball settling in London, the return of "Mr. Laurens & his son," the overseer named Comings at Backriver Plantation and a wedding within the family.
Information on the purchase of the plantation on Back River which includes enslaved persons bought at a sale, number of acres and the notation that eighty-six enslaved persons are on the property, specifically twenty-six men, twenty-eight women and thirty-two children.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing the departure of his friend "Moultrie" to England, the death of Elias Ball II from a "disorder in the bowels," the will of Elias Ball II, the corn, rice and indigo crop, wind and rain storms, "negro cloth," and a "great disturbance in the country."
Copy of a letter between Elias Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing invoices from Mr. Vanderhorst for goods, paper money, shipping rice to Bristol and aid in finding an overseer and driver.
A letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to his brother-in-law Elias Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing Elias Ball's "scurrilous" letter, and the appraisement of Judith Ball's estate with no intention of fraud. John Ball goes on to discuss the poor character of Elias Ball as an executor using examples from family estates, including that of John Coming Ball Sr.'s second wife, Judith Boisseau, their enslaved persons, comparing Elias Ball to " a parable of the servant in the Gospel" with little talent, commenting on his liberality, Elias Ball's accusation that John Ball married Elias's sister for her mother's estate, and Elias's threat to return to the United States to "have justice done."
A torn letter from Elias Ball IV to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a shipment of corn and rice sent to Bristol, an impending visit from William Moultrie Jr., a referral from General Marion, and notations on the House of Assembly.
A letter from Henry Laurens Jr. at Mepkin Plantation to John Ball at Kensington Plantation on receiving a letter delivered by the enslaved man Adonis, sending Laurens' mare home, and the poor health of John Ball's father.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III in Charleston discussing trouble with the rice business, orders of "negro cloth, blankets, & plantation tools," confiscated property, the sale of fifty enslaved persons at Georgetown, asking to own the enslaved man Pino and his family where Pino can work as a driver, the overseer named Comings and unpaid taxes.
A torn letter from Ann Waring at Tranquil Hill to her cousin John Ball on advice that Waring's family "solicited" from John Ball, issues surrounding guardianship for "the girls" a claim on an estate, and Waring's feelings on Josiah Smith as a potential guardian.
A copy of a letter from John Coming Ball at Kensington Plantation to his cousin Ann Waring on the guardianship for John's three female cousins, and his reasonings for choosing Josiah Smith as a potential guardian.
Copy of a letter between Elias "Wambaw" Ball and Elias Ball III at Limerick Plantation discussing political magazines, the government, chartering a ship, debts between the Elias's, the arrival of rice, a comparison of a personal saddle "to those used by Fulton's Dragoons," a list of goods shipped from Elias Ball in Bristol to Elias Ball in South Carolina.
The appraisement, division and valuations of enslaved men, women and children at Kensington Plantation belonging to the late Elias Ball II to his sons Elias Ball III and John Ball. The other side of the document makes notations regarding the exchanges of enslaved persons between the brothers.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a chartered ship, the nuptials of Elias Ball III's daughter and her husband's reputation in the United States, the crop and cattle at Elias Ball IV's plantations, and a notation that "Old Tom" has been well and putting out tobacco plants.
A letter from Elias Ball IV in Charleston to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing a charter, Comingtee Plantation, a shortage of rice in the country, and a recommendation from "Moultrie" to hire James Gordon.
An account of cattle from the joint stock that the enslaved persons Plimoth and Sambo had, the cattle at Jericho Plantation, and Mrs. Wilson's, and Miss Nelly's stock. Makes notation that the enslaved person Cupid was sent up to Jericho Plantation to count the joint stock.
A letter from Eleanor Ball at Kensington Plantation to Henry Smith discussing her brother Elias Ball III in England, and an account of payments between Henry Smith and Eleanor Ball for her schooling and board. Also attached is a list of eighteen enslaved persons received by Elias Ball to deliver to Benjamin and Thomas Smith overseas. Includes the statement "the dangers of the sea & death excepted."
The Account Book of John Ball Sr., 1788-1812, is an unbound book containing financial accounts for clients such as Hyde Park Plantation overseer David Franklin and the freedman Robin. The account book also makes various references to enslaved persons named Almanza, Caesar, Daniel, Hercules, Mauney, Plimoth, Sampson and Terror.
