A handwritten, eight-page letter from Susan Pringle Alston to her aunt, Rebecca Hayne, in which she describes Union troops and newly freed people raiding and robbing houses while her family was in Plantersville at the end of Civil War. She expresses concern for similar things occurring in Columbia and Darlington, South Carolina.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Harriott Ravenel to Susan Alston in which she discusses the difficulties of life after the Civil War. In particular, she writes about the difficulty of keeping newly freed people working for their family and the status of various relatives.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Joseph Alston to his father, Charles Alston, in which he describes his efforts to manage the newly freed people at their plantations and rent out the Alstons' store following the Civil War.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Sallie Lowndes to Susan Alston in which she laments the financial status of their families following the Civil War and worries for their futures.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome about the ongoing recovery effort after the war and the destruction of the Ursuline Convent. She is soliciting funds to rebuild and has written Washington with their case demanding reparations. The Ursulines have accepted the offer of General Preston to reside in his house while he is abroad and are using the Methodist College for additional space. July 17, 1865. 4p.
A scrapbook by Erastus W. Everson (1837-1897) documenting his time spent serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861- 1865); the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands during the American Reconstruction Period (1865-1877); as a librarian at the University of South Carolina and a newspaper editor.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome from Valle Crucis, the Bishop's property outside of Columbia, having moved the convent and academy from temporary housing at Methodist college and Gen. Preston's mansion. Since Valle Crucis is too remote for day schoolers and too small for large numbers of boarders, she writes of setting up a satellite institute in Macon, Ga., until their convent can be rebuilt in Columbia. She mentions the pardon granted the Bishop and hopes that he will soon return to America. September 25, 1865. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Reverend J. W. Cummings describing the current status of the Ursulines in Columbia and encloses a letter for her brother, Bishop Patrick Lynch, who is expected soon in New York. October 28, 1865. 3p.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Rosa M. Pringle to Susan Alston in which she updates her on the travel of her family and other acquaintances to and from South Carolina.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Catherine Ravenel to Susan Alston in which she discusses life in Columbia, South Carolina, after the Civil War and shares various pieces of news from families such as the Middletons, Winthrops, Lowndes, and Rutledges.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Margaretta Hayne to Susan Alston in which she discusses her family's situation following the Civil War, including the effects of Union forces plundering their house, the misfortune of having their money tied up in Confederate bonds, and their perspective on emancipation.
Short letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the ongoing effort to solicit funds for a new convent including writing a letter to General Sherman to "recommend our cause at Washington." May 20, 1866. 2p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans to plant a crop for the upcoming season and has employed several freedmen. The local commandant is scheduled to speak to the area planters and freedmen shortly, but Francis believes "the erroneous impression made on the negroes that they were to be invested with lands, is in great measure dispelled." January 7, 1866. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She writes that the Bishop's former slave, Daniel, is in a "half-starved condition" and has been visiting the convent for handouts. She mentions that she has read about former Union prisoners who praised Bishop Lynch for his kindness during the war and writes of her fears of a cholera epidemic that "will no doubt decimate the whole country this summer." April 29, 1866. 8p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about recent inquiries concerning the burning of Columbia and their convent during the war and asks the Bishop for permission to publish their account of the events. April 6, 1866. 4p.
A letter from Mrs. A. R. Young of Pendleton, South Carolina to Eliza C. Ball in Charleston discussing the current state of the "humiliation & impoverishment" of the people, religious beliefs, and remembering a visit to Virginia.
The Allston-Pringle Plantation Account Book is a bound volume recorded by Adele Petigru Allston and later her daughter, Elizabeth Waities Allston Pringle, for White House, Chicora Wood, and Greenfield Plantation. The book records the financial accounts for the male and female laborers on the properties and documents their expenses and wages in 1867. The end pages of the book, appearing upside down, were used by Elizabeth W.A. Pringle to record daily entries of the tasks performed by laborers in 1913-1914. Also found inside the volume is a loose sheet of paper listing Adele P. Allston's expenses in 1873.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to General Gilmore in which he petitions to regain possession of his house on East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina, which had been assigned to General Rufus Saxton following the Civil War. Alston argues that the house was never abandoned during the war because enslaved people remained in the outbuildings. On the back, the request is denied by Union officials such as Rufus Saxton and W. L. Burger.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to General Howard in which he petitions to regain possession of his house on East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina, after General Saxton's previous refusal. Attached to this letter is testimony from James Holmes and James Pringle who swore that Charles Alston was forced to leave his residence and was unable to return during the Civil War.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Charles Alston to General Howard in which he appeals the refusal of his previous petitions to regain possession of his house on East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina.
Two sketches titled "Ashley River, Near Charleston" and "Charleston, from the Bay" by Harry Fenn from Appleton's Journal of Literature, Science, and Art. "Ashley River, Near Charleston" depicts people and animals aboard a boat on the bank of the Ashley River, and "Charleston, from the Bay" shows a birds-eye view of the Charleston Battery and harbor.
A sketch titled "A Roadside Scene near Charleston" by Albert Bobbett from the front cover of Appleton's Journal of Literature, Science, and Art. The work depicts an African American man pulling a wagon and a woman and children gathered around a stall in a rural area.
A sketch titled "A Glimpse of Charleston and Bay, from the Tower of St. Michael's Church" by Harry Fenn from Appleton's Journal of Literature, Science, and Art. The work depicts an African American man standing in the tower of St. Michael's Church and holding a broom, overlooking the Charleston Harbor.
A notebook (ca. 1920) containing reminiscences by Rose P. Ravenel, who writes about her girlhood, her relationship with her "mammy" and her French nurse. She describes life at Farmfield Plantation during the Civil War, knitting socks for Confederate soldiers, making paper and envelopes, salt production, molasses candy, flower dolls, and the family's hardships after the Civil War.
Caption: '1. Assembling on the Citadel Parade. 2. Watching the Procession. 3. The Boy Drum Corps. 4. The Thirteen States. 5. The Union League. 6. Reading the Emancipation Proclamation on the Battery. South Carolina--the celebration of Emancipation Day, January 8th. in Charleston--scenes and incidents of the parade--see page 375.' [full date February 10,1877]
Political cartoon, caption: 'The Commandments in South Carolina. "We've pretty well smashed that; but I suppose, Massa Moses, you can get another one."' [full date September 26, 1874]
