Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing his plans for the season's crops. Francis informs the Bishop he is planting 650 acres in cotton and corn and writes of his plan to mix crushed bones with sulfuric acid to create his own fertilizer. May 20, 1866. 2p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning his crop yield and the disappointing efficacy of the cotton picking machines he purchased. September 19, 1866. 4p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch that a load of corn and peas purchased for the one of the Bishop's plantations is at the depot awaiting a car and suggests to the Bishop that it be turned over to the local quartermaster as payment for taxes if the car should not arrive by tomorrow. He also writes of an offer for $400 to hire out one of the Bishop's slaves. January 21, 1864. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing the departure of one of the Bishop's overseers and the transfer of slaves among the plantations, and attempts by John to rent out one of the Bishop's properties. 1864. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch suggesting that the Bishop vacate a certain property and move his slaves there elsewhere. The property has "accommodations for 40 or so negroes, besides the dwelling", and may prove more profitable to rent out "as a place of refuge" for lowcountry residents fleeing the war. January 18, 1864 (2nd letter of same date). 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news about the Bishop's properties. John writes that the Lexington plantation continues to be a financial burden and hints at turmoil at the Bishop's Lancaster farm. Several slaves have been brought to Columbia from Lancaster and John suggests to the Bishop to sell them for a profit stating that "I saw some sold here today at pretty good prices." February 2, 1863. 2p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news from Columbia. John mentions collecting money for the "Charleston orphans", the death of a slave boy on one of the Bishop's plantations and rumors that their brother Francis may have to go into the service. August 19, 1863. 3p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning finances and provisions for the Bishop's plantations. Since Christmas nears, John asks the Bishop to send $400 more than is necessary to settle their account so he can "give the negroes something, and I think a little money will suit them better, and be cheaper just now, than anything else." He also writes of a load of "Nassau cloth" the Bishop had purchased that was ruined in transport but, despite its odor, should be kept to "clothe the negroes." December 15, 1863. 3p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about procuring provisions for the Ursuline Convent and Academy and about news of the war. John writes that the man hired to obtain the provisions fears impressment of the supplies and requests that the Bishop provide him an endorsed certificate that proves the goods are for the convent should any Confederate officers stop him. John also mentions the movement of troops through Columbia on their way to Tennessee where "Genl Lee and the President have planned a campaign against Rosencrantz (sic)". September 18, 1863. 4p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the Bishop's slave Daniel. The Confederate Army has been after the Bishop's overseer, Mr. Buff, to send Daniel to help on coastal defenses, but since Daniel is the "only road hand on the farm", he refuses. John asks the Bishop what course of action they should take since Daniel has been ordered to be at the depot in a few days. He also mentions the good news of the "repulse from Fort Sumter" during the late siege of the harbor commenting, "there must have been Irishmen in it." September 9, 1863. 3p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch to procure some salt for his plantations and muses on the future plans of the Union army. John suggests that after getting rebuffed at Battery Wagner the yankees might try "running the Gauntlet" past the forts with an overwhelming number of boats. If they could meet up with land forces, John writes, they could take Charleston from the rear and "laugh at the forts." July 23, 1863. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning provisions for the Bishop's plantation and an offer from two Confederate officers to lease a portion of the Bishop's property for a new powder mill. May 29, 1862. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about affairs at the Bishop's plantation. He also writes about a "private baptism" he gave to a child he feared would die of measles unbaptised. January 18, 1862. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning an incident with some slaves at the Bishop's plantation. John writes that the overseer, Mr. Buff, after "strapping" a young boy for idleness, was attacked with a hoe by the boy's mother. John wants word on what to do with the woman saying "if this goes unpunished and the woman remains, it will be the ruining of all the young negroes," and suggests selling the whole family. March 17, 1862. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news of the Ursuline Academy and Convent, including a lengthy recounting of a "Miss Jones" who is being coveted by both the Ursulines in Columbia and another religious order. October 23, 1862. 8p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans to move the Convent and Academy out of downtown Columbia after the war and mentions the death and funeral of Confederate General Smith. She also writes of brother Hugh's new position as aid to General Beauregard in Charleston and informs the Bishop that his "boy" sent up from Charleston to work on one of the Bishop's properties may have "gone to the yankees." October 10, 1862. 8p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bp Patrick Lynch with updates on the Bishop's plantations and news of a large contract for shoes that their brother, Francis, has been awarded by the "central association." To help fulfill the contract Francis has "purchased a negro boy (shoemaker) 16 years old for thirteen hundred dollars." November 20, 1862. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning plans for the Bishop's properties. He also asks the Bishop to send him a horse that the Bishop has been tasked with disposing. September 26, 1862. 2p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch offering to buy several slave "families" from him to work some newly acquired land. December 15, 1862. 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the sale of slaves on the Bishop's plantation. John writes that he has yet to tell the slave Emmett that he has sold him and his family to a Mr. Mullin and hopes "him willing to go quietly, as I understand he refuses to be hired quietly." January 22, 1862. 1p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about purchasing mules and a wagon for the Bishop's property and discusses the planting of crops. June 8, 1861. 3p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning preparations being made on one of the Bishop's properties. John writes that "your negroes have not yet arrived" and fears the lack of field hands and a shortage of corn may impact the season's crop. May 24, 1861. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing his attempt to secure corn for the Bishop and his negotiations with a potential overseer for one of the Bishop's properties. May 14, 1861. 4p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news from the Bishop's plantation and his medical practice. John writes about the ongoing construction at the plantation and of a runaway slave, Emmett, who was briefly jailed but escaped. John told the overseer's son that "if Emmett should come around the plantation to tell him to come in and go to work as I did not blame him for trying to escape from prison." He also confides in the Bishop that his medical practice is on the verge of blossoming "if bigotry does not override everything." November 13, 1861. 2p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the deteriorating condition of a house on one of the Bishop's plantations and that it is too dangerous for the overseer, Mr. Buff, to continue to live there. August 16, 1861. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing an applicant for an overseer position at one of the Bishop's plantations. John appears to like the man and his qualifications but fears "he might not take a sufficient control over the negroes, if it became necessary to use harsh means." August 27, 1861. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch repeating the news concerning the deterioration of the house on one of the Bishop's properties. August 24, 1861. 2p.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Laurel Bay Plantation. Barnwell writes of the well-being of the family, the health and spiritual training of the servants and neglect of the livestock by the slaves, and requests his mother to send a pineapple from Charleston to be served as dessert for an upcoming dinner party. January 22, 1853.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell at the family plantation, Laurel Bay, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell writes of an upcoming visit to Beaufort, slaughtering hogs for sausage and trading mutton for chickens. January 15, 1853.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell at the family plantation, Laurel Bay, to father, William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell writes of schooling his younger siblings and reports on the status of the plantation. January 15, 1853.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell at Laurel Bay plantation, to father, William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell describes an eventful trip to Beaufort with his siblings, comments on his continuing education and the schooling of his siblings, and reports to his father on the status of the plantation's cotton crop. January 22, 1853.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing visits to Bay Point and their family plantation, Laurel Bay, near Beaufort. Barnwell writes of a large devil fish caught off Bay Point and informs his father of the status of the crops and slaves at Laurel Bay. July 18, 1851.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, concerning a trip from Charleston to Beaufort. Robert details a bout of seasickness while traveling, reports on the status of his parents' and grandparent's plantations at Laurel Bay and Keans Neck and relates family news from Beaufort. August, 1847.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to brother, William H. W. Barnwell, about his travel plans and the last will of their recently deceased sister, in which William was bequeathed $5000. Robert tells William that the amount is enough to clear his debts and the sale of his slaves is now unnecessary, though he still encourages William to do so, writing, "at Laurel Bay they cannot support themselves and will inevitably be exposed to the dangerous temptations of idleness." February 18, 1833.
William H. W. Barnwell, from Laurel Bay Plantation, writes to friend Edgar Day in Catskill, New York. After 4 years without correspondence, Barnwell apprises Day of his marriage, the birth of his first child and his religious conversion during a revival in Gillisonville, SC. He also speaks of forming a local temperance society and hopes to establish "one upon my plantation among my Negroes." January 18, 1832.
Capt. Edward Barnwell, Beaufort, writes to daughter, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, cautioning her about over-doing the social scene in Charleston. He also writes of gardening and his crops, including the propagation of orange trees, and asks that Catherine care for her sick sister by giving her "tincture of bark & brandy & water." March 2, 1827.
Letter from Capt. Edward Barnwell, Combahee, to daughter, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, in Charleston. Edward asks Catherine to look after her little sisters when they visit Charleston and writes of his plans to see Marquis de Lafayette should he stop in Beaufort. March 9, 1825.
Catherine Osborn Barnwell writes her mother from Laurel Bay plantation where she describes how she is the "principal" of the house in her mother's absence.
