This is a Sandy Island plantation journal written inside of The South Carolina and Georgia Almanac for the year 1792. The plantation journal documents the planting of crops (rice, corns, and potatoes), the maintenance of ditches and drains, slave records, complications with the hiring of an overseer, livestock, and business relations with Laurel Hill Plantation.
Work on paper in watercolor. View of distant fields, sheep, and shepherds in foreground. Hills and pond to right and center left. Rice fields in background.
1850-1859, 1870-1879, 1860-1869, 1840-1849, 1830-1839, and 1820-1829
Description:
This is the plantation register by Mathurin Guerin Gibbs (1788-1849) for Rice Hope Plantation (January 1, 1824 to December 1844) and Jericho Plantation (December 1844 to 1875). Gibbs, a lawyer before becoming a planter, used the first several pages of the manuscript dating January 1824 to May 1829 for summarizing legal cases. The plantation register primarily documents daily labor activities on the plantation including cultivation and harvesting of staple crops such as corn, cotton (Sea Island Cotton and Santee black seed cotton), rice and potatoes, livestock, and building fences. Gibbes also writes about the use and management of slave labor, the movement of enslaved people between the plantation and Charleston, and selling and purchasing of enslaved people. Slave names are included in portions of the register. Gibbs notes throughout the register the struggles he encounters as a planter including being unable to pay the mortgage of Rice Hope Plantation and the property going into foreclosure. Most of the entries at the end of the register are regarding slave births, slave deaths and distribution of blankets. Gibbs died in 1849 and the management of the plantation was carried out by his son.
The Direleton Plantation Memorandum Book was kept by James Ritchie Sparkman beginning in the 1850s; changes in handwriting indicate additional authors and additional uses into the 1900s. The book contains slave records. Records includes slave births, slave deaths, purchases of slaves, sales of slaves, family seperation, measurements for clothing, distribution of blankets, and labor tasks. The book also contains lists of first and last names of agricultural workers after the American Civil War and figures, likely wages paid. There are account records kept for purposes of the Internal Revenue Services, Confederate taxes and bonds, personal and agricultural work purchases, and financial transactions with B.M. Grier, Eliza S. Heriot, Dr. R.S. Heriot, A.G. Heriot (with signed receipts), M.E. Heriot (with signed receipts), and G.A. Thorne. There are transactions with other plantations recorded including Cornhill Plantation, Northampton Plantation, and Birdfield Plantation. There is information on livestock, wines removed from the plantation, and rice sales.
Three black and white prints of a photograph taken at T. Farm in 1919. One of the prints is cropped while the other two are full-size. Caption on cropped print reads, 'Luxuriant growth of cotton & corn on old Rice Field. At E.W. Durant's T. Farm-1919.' The other two prints both have the caption, 'T. Farm 1919.'
A color photograph of J.F. Maybank waving his hat in a rice field. A caption on the back of the photograph reads, 'We start out [?] 12th [?] on this field 1951.'
A stereoscopic image of an African American man using a rice trunk to tend rice. The bottom text of the picture states that the field is being flooded at high tide.
A stereoscopic image of an African American man posed along side a a stone mill to hull rice. Text at the bottom of the image states: "Large Stones for Hulling Rice; the Hulling Stone for Removing Chaff."
A stereoscopic image of African American women and children posed on a large raft with rice plants. In the backgroud is a large body of water. One person holds a bail of rice.
Memorandum of agreement between Charles B. Lucas and former enslaved persons, now freedmen and women. The agreement outlines Charles Lucas's and the freed persons duties on Wappahoola Plantation. The signatures of the freed persons are an "x", and the last page includes a note about the foreman and the freed persons receiving bushels of rice and corn.
The Robert F.W. Allston 1860 Almanac is a Miller's Planters' and Merchants Almanac for the year 1860 repurposed as a journal. Personal entries include account pages for bushels of rice, a list of enslaved men, women and children who were born and died at Chicora Wood Plantation, the purchase of enslaved people, a presentation of a billiard table to the Lunatic Asylum, a meeting with Laymen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and work on the Georgetown Railroad.
Volume Two in the Cote Bas and Mepkin Plantations Collection is a Miller's Interleaved Almanac for 1886 repurposed as a journal by Peter Gourdin. Entries pertain to rice planting, livestock and social activities. Other information includes newspaper clippings on various topics such as General Order No. 1, January 1, 1866, issued by Federal authorities to govern the employment of freedmen as plantation laborers as well as other rights and liberties given to freedmen.
Bound papers written by Anne Simons Deas in 1900 describing the harvesting and planting of rice by freed men and woman. The pages also discuss the atmosphere of the rice fields, describing how the workers sing hymns and converse with one another.
A letter from Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing that week's paper, word from Mr. Lauren's on how the army is helping drive General Washington over the mountains, the belief that General John Burgoyne's army was taken, the fleet of Commodore Biddle, the price of rice, and various notations regarding the Commons House of Assembly.
A letter from Elias Ball II at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the health of the family, opportunities for John and Elias Ball, and needing the enslaved man Ben to pick up rice.
A letter from John Ball Sr. at Kensington Plantation to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's improved health, sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston assist John, the weather, and the rice crops.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's poor health, travel and Jane Ball's poor health. The letter ends with a notation that "the news of peace has put a stop to the selling of rice."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing travel, john Ball Jr.'s health and John leaving school due to sickness.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Sr.'s fever, medicine, the health of the family, wanting watermelons, John Ball Jr.'s writing skills, an inquiry for John Ball Jr.'s miniature or a portrait of him in his school uniform, and the rice crop in South Carolina.
A letter from John Ball to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing a shipment of rice and meat, the poor health of Jane Ball and John Ball Jr. submitting to "the arbitrary laws" of Harvard.
A letter from Thomas Slater in London, England to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing a sickness in the Ball family, the European Magazines, the purchase of Quinby Plantation, and planting rice.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina on a watch that Ball ordered, William James Ball's expenses in Edinburgh, and the price of rice and cotton in England.
A letter from Thomas Slater in London to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing a tornado in South Carolina, crops, a shipment of rice, sending European magazines, and hopes that Isaac Ball's new wife has given birth to an heir for Limerick Plantation.
A letter from Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation to Thomas Slater in London discussing "matrimonial" matters, barrels of rice, a request for European magazines and Isaac Ball's marriage to his cousin Eliza G. Boyas.
A copy of a letter from Thomas Slater in London to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing travel, a shipment of items sent to Isaac Ball, an order of rice, the warm weather in South Carolina, and Isaac Ball not having married yet.
A letter from Thomas Slater in Frenchay to Isaac Ball at Limerick Plantation discussing European magazines, the death of Mr. Ball, Thomas Slater's son residing on a family estate, and information on the cotton and rice crops in South Carolina.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing a shipment of snake root and butter, the work of the enslaved persons with the rice crops, repairing the "negro houses," the work of Bristol and Marcus, a list of sick enslaved persons (mostly children), the birth of an enslaved child, and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing how he found corn in the flats of the enslaved persons and that they "ought to be flogged," the rice crops and fields, the birth of an enslaved child, a list of sick enslaved persons, and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing that he sent Elsie and Thomas down with butter, the birth of an enslaved child, the rice crops and fields, a list of sick enslaved persons, the work of Scipio and Bristol, Billey and Tom each having a sore hand and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing tasks completed, the rice crops, Bristol's work with the floodgate and Scipio's with the cattle, a list of sick enslaved persons, an inventory of cattle and the birth of an enslaved male child.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops, the work of Jaccey and Scipio, the poor health of numerous enslaved persons, the birth of an enslaved child, and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball in Charleston discussing a shipment from John Ball of butter and rice and the "misconduct of Payne & Daphne. The letter goes on to discuss that Payne has been robbing Ischudy and that he believes Daphne is his accomplice. As a result of this discovery, Ischudy writes that Payne was "smartly punished" but has now fled to the woods. Ischudy is requesting to exchange Payne for another enslaved person. The letter ends with Ischudy describing enslaved persons as "such creatures. Their "natural dishonesty, lying, laziness & the constant necessity of having one's eye upon them, worry me & almost wear me out. Mrs. Ischudy is even more sick of them..."
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops, the enslaved persons Elick, Paul, Pompy and Jimmy.
A letter from a member of the Simons family in Charleston to Isaac Ball at Quinby Plantation discussing the enslaved person Scipio and a horse cargo traveling with items, militia duty, the rice market, business, and the "happy days of our boyhood."
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice and pea crops, shoe measures for the enslaved persons, a request for a hand saw and two whitewashing brushes.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston on receiving supplies, the dry weather, the rice crops, and a request for supplies.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing the doctor visiting the plantation, the midwifery, sick enslaved persons from various plantations suffering from fevers or pox, and the rice crops.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball discussing a steamboat, the health of James Coward, the rice and pea crops, and Old Mary sick with fever.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice, pea and corn crops, the death of Mr. Simmons, and the death of young children due to sickness.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing a letter to Mr. Coward's father, the rice crops and the health of Mrs. Coward.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the recovery of John Ball, the rice crop and sawing. Coward goes into an account of the enslaved man Julius running away but believes he will return as Julius has done so in the past and finishes his letter discussing the enslaved girl Judy suffering from a sickness.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the poor health of John Ball, the planting of slips, the pea and rice crops, the weather, sick children, and the confinement of Eliza.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to Ann Ball discussing the recovery of John Ball, the death of the enslaved woman Sarah, the confinement of Eliza, sick children, and the rice crops.
A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing Ball's poor health, the rice and corn crops, and the hot weather.
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice and corn crops, and a situation concerning the conduct of an enslaved woman who Turner wanted to put in a closet, but four men took her from the closet and said "they would dye before she would go in the clauset."
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer William Turner to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice crops and fields, a request for more mules and a saddle, and a statement on Peggy.
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 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.
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.
The Memo Book, 1821-1824, is a bound volume kept by or for a member of the Ball family. The volume lists crops at Hyde Park, Limerick, Jericho and Quinby Plantations as well as specifications for a rice mill at Limerick Plantation. Dried, pressed tree leaves are compressed throughout the blank pages. Also found within the volume are a list of enslaved persons given plough lines at various plantations. The names of the enslaved persons are Hercules, Jingo, Linus, Mathias, Mill Natt/Natt, Paul, Sam, Simon, Tim, Toby, Tom and Tycho.
A letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. discussing the enslaved women Juliann, the number of workers on the rice plantation, stock, and cattle.
A copy of an advertisement for selling Back River Plantation belonging to the late John Coming Ball. The advertisement states that the plantation is supposed to offer rice to market for several years.
A letter from Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England on James Gordon receiving rice, charters send to Comingtee Plantation to receive rice, a frost ruining a supply of rice, a request for "negro" clothing and plantation tools and Elias Ball IV's feelings on laboring.
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.
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 Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England on an account between the Balls and James Gordon, Elias Ball IV's tiredness, the rice and corn crops, planting 225 acres of rice at Comingtee Plantation, and debt.
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing travel, finances, the family's rice crop, Jane Ball's health, and sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston to assist John Ball Jr.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing Jane Ball's health, Isaac and William Ball, Governor Drayton's speech, the selling of cotton and rice, and visiting two print shops.
A letter from John Ball in Newport, Rhode Island to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing John's admission into the senior class and his health, the poor health of Jane Ball, Mr. Simons suffering from Sciatica, and the rice and corn crop. The letter ends stating that James Simons has "now gone quite insane."
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing "the sickly season," the health of the family, those suffering from the "prevailing fever" also referenced as yellow fever or "black vomit," the conditions of the rice and cotton crops, the Regiment of Artillery, and an inquiry into the parties John attends at school.
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, his "moral & religious virtues," Sullivans Island being "flocked" by people, the cotton and rice crop, the upcoming feast hosted by Uncle Ball, and updates on family members.
A torn letter from John Ball to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letter writing, business, the rice crop, and the weather.
A letter from Jane Ball at Kensington Plantation to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing letters, the Charleston races, the rice business, a ball at the St. Thomas Club House, and the weather in South Carolina and Massachusetts.
A copy of a letter from Isaac Ball to E.G. Thomas discussing the financial account with Simons & Sons concerning bushels of rice, and that some of the rice was left on deck of a boat and "Dark Jim" explained that there was not enough space in the hold to store all the rice.
A letter from E.G. Thomas in Georgetown, South Carolina to Isaac Ball in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a financial account with Simons & Sons for rice and his enslaved persons carrying items onto Ball's boat.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in Charleston, South Carolina to John Ball Sr. discussing William James Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the rice crop.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the plantation crops, London's work with the rice, Pompey losing cattle, a list of sick enslaved persons, an inventory of cattle and Scipio's work with the cattle.
A letter from Keating Simons to Isaac Ball discussing the inability to go to the counting house, a bill and cash book, tax returns, a letter from Thomas Broughton and selling rice.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the work of Elsey, Thomas, Sena, Rachel and Jack, the rice and pea harvest, the poor health of numerous enslaved persons, and having to "switch" Stoke Abram, Stoke Rose, and Silvey's Hannah for stealing.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing a shipment of rice, and the various tasks of Jack, Rachel, Ned, Sena, Old Amey, Old Judy, Bristol, and Adonis.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the death of "Folly" who died of consumption, the poor health of various enslaved children, the start of the rice harvest, Old Pompey and Scipio's work with the cattle, Bristol's work with the floodgate, and an inventory of cattle. Makes notation that a fifty dollar reward was offered for the capture of the enslaved man Morris.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the Midway rice, the enslaved persons Jack and Sena sending over supplies, missing cattle, having the enslaved man Jerry "switched" after finding two calf's feet in his garden, suggesting to "switch" "Sipion" and Sena so they are more attentive to their duties." Makes the notation, "I trust no negro...will lie & and steal" and that "Linder" lost her child.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing rice, the other overseer Mr. Coward, the work of Bristol, numerous enslaved persons who are sick, "Linder" giving birth to a baby boy, and an inventory of cattle.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing the death of Marcia due to "inflammation of the womb," the death of Elsey's child, the poor health of other enslaved persons, work on the rice crop, and a list of items sent by Bob and Sena.
A letter from Stoke Plantation overseer Thomas Finklea to John Ball in Charleston discussing Kensington rice, the enslaved persons Sena, Jack, Old Davy, Caesar, and Rachel sending supplies, the poor health of Sena who is suffering from a fever and cramps, and notations of a runaway.
A letter from Isaac Rembert at Walnut Grove to John Ball discussing Rembert's destruction of rice crops due to flooding, issues with Ball's flood gate, the legal laws concerning flood gates and the notation that Rembert will appear before the magistrate and freeholders to assist if John Ball does not solve the problem.
A letter from Quinby Plantation overseer John Paye to John Ball in Charleston discussing work done with the rice in "Thomas field," the "negroes" allowances, the number of bushels the enslaved adults and children have, and a visit from Dr. Edwards for "Cloey's" child. The last page of the letter discusses a situation with the enslaved man and cooper Gibby who, after being spoken to, told the overseer he would go into the woods and wait for John Ball to come home. The overseer writes that Gibby said, "he could take a thousand lashes from his master but nobody else."
A copy of a letter from John Ball at Kensington Plantation to Quinby Plantation overseer Tyson Pipkin discussing an attempt to visit Pipkin but since he was not present, information was given to "Linus." The letter goes on to mention that "all the grown negroes" will receive rice and salt and that the "young negroes" are to receive potatoes.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rice and pea crops, Turkey Hill's swamp, a visit from the Doctor, a suspected typhus case, two sick children and James Coward's child taken with the fever in which he suspects worms as the cause.
