A letter from Hyde Park Plantation overseer Jesse Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing the corn crop, the mill pond, sickness on the plantation, the enslaved man August under Dr. Edward's care who believes August is suffering from consumption, the enslaved women and children gathering peas, and Lucy confined for giving birth to a boy.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy at Limerick Plantation to Mr. Finby at Comingtee Plantation discussing the enslaved girl Lucinda, her role in the fields, her future roles and John Jacob Ischudy's "use" for her.
A letter from Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball in Charleston discussing two sick children, baskets of eggs and potatoes, and the rice crops.
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 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 Kensington Plantation overseer James Coward to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the health of the family, the corn, potatoes and rice crops at Kensington and Midway Plantations, and the health of Beck's child.
A letter from John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Jr's school vacation plans and knowledge of American cities, inquiries into the lifestyle of students at Harvard, the marriage of cousin Lydia to Mr. Lucas, the cotton crops in South Carolina and at Kensington, Hyde Park and Midway Plantations. The letter concludes concerning a deed for the enslaved boy Billy, "the valet de chambre" for John Ball Sr. who wishes that upon his death for John Ball Jr. to "be kind to him for my sake & for your own advantage." He ends stating that if Billy is "ungrateful" towards John Ball Jr. or quits, "do not trouble in getting him back, but if he afterwards return then let him be disgraced..."
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.
1770-1779, 1760-1769, 1740-1749, 1750-1759, 1720-1729, and 1730-1739
Description:
The Ball Family Account and Blanket Book, 1720-1778, includes lists of purchases, expenses, blankets given out to enslaved persons, and names/ages of enslaved persons at Midway, Limerick, Comingtee and Kensington Plantations. The book includes a loose list of enslaved men with their place of birth and ages, ca. 1750, currently on exhibit at the South Carolina Historical Society Museum.
