A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts on sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston to assist John, the confinement of Susey's children due to sickness, business matters, and John's education. The letter ends discussing the enslaved man Nat and his wages.
A letter from Ann Ball in Charleston to her husband John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing the arrival of a boat, hurricane type weather, her parent's poor health, Ann Ball's own suffering with an "oppression at my chest," trouble with the enslaved persons at Limerick and Midway Plantations, and the poor health of "Lewis's Little Keating."
A letter from Ann Ball to her husband John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing "Lewis" and "Marcus," Isaac Ball leaving town with his family, a severe cold, and the harvesting of crops.
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 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 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 Elias Ball IV at Limerick Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball III exiled in Bristol, England discussing family, health, the upcoming marriage between Elias Ball III's daughter and "young Moultrie," the lands of England, the South Carolina legislature passing a tax bill on enslaved persons, agreements with the "Torey's," a bill of exchange for money due and accounts current, the removal of "Old Tom" from Wambaw, missing enslaved runaways, the work of various enslaved persons, and the sale of Elias Ball III's enslaved persons for cash by Mr. Gaillard.
A letter from Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball in Charleston, South Carolina on sending the enslaved man Plimouth with a delivery, and a request for news from town through either a letter or a newspaper.
A torn letter written by Elias Ball III to his brother John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing leaving town, the "poor Dyana" who is ill and unable to nurse and having items sent from the store to the plantation.
A list of 152 enslaved persons. Notations include the first names of each enslaved person, their role on the plantation and the name of their parent(s).
Letter to Langdon Cheves Jr. from Langdon Cheves Sr. in Pendleton on the runaway enslaved man Jim. Langdon Cheves Sr. writes about an advertisement he read in the newspaper about a "runaway, negro man who calls himself Jim" who has been imprisoned and "belongs to Judge Cheves on Savannah River." He further writes that his son should consider using "light iron" to prohibit Jim from running away again.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter from Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation to her husband John Ball in Charleston discussing her mother's health, that Captain Peter "did not make his port," feeling anxious over "how Dublin got down with his charge" and a shipment of bricks.
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 to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal primarily discussing the enslaved man Dedfort, a delivery of sugar, coffee and an anchor and chain.
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 John Cheeseborough to his aunt Elizabeth Frances Blyth discussing the purchase of the enslaved man York. Makes notation that he is "unwilling to sell him to any one so that he cannot occasionally see his family."
A letter from George Lucas to Charles Pinckney. Lucas discusses attempts to teach enslaved people how to make indigo and refers to the planting of crops in general.
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to Mary thanking her for a package she sent, his poor health and treatment from a doctor, and reflections on a party during the Christmas season. The letter goes on to discuss the Christmas of the "good old days in slavery time, thanks to Mr. Lincoln" and that two servants remain in the household as they "never left us."
A letter from Catherine Edwards to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing mortification of what happened at Limerick Plantation with the enslaved persons. The letter goes on to state that the enslaved driver was busy and therefore, the cause of "the trespass." The letter ends with Edwards writing that the enslaved persons "deserve punishment."
A letter from John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing education, health, money, and sending the enslaved man Nat to Boston to assist John.
A four-page unattached letter from Langdon Cheves Sr. to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing items received, letters during Langdon Cheves Sr.'s time in Congress, statements regarding enslaved persons and a plantation book. The other pages include an account for materials, a Dr.'s bill for enslaved persons, financial business, and remarks.
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.
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 Elias Ball III in Charleston, South Carolina to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing old schooners filled with dirt to be sunk in "Hog Island Crick" to "prevent men of war cuming up that way." However, Elias Ball III recounts that Captain Tufts, after sinking three of the four boats, was discovered, and fired upon. The other side of the letter discusses the crop at Comingtee Plantation and allowing the enslaved person Pompey to have nails to finish the garden.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey to John Ball Sr. discussing the purchase of Lockey's Santee property and enslaved persons. The other side of the document lists the number of acres and that 150 enslaved persons live on the plantation.
A letter from farm manager or agent named James Hull on the enslaved man Scipio bring down ducks and butter, picking peas, working in the fields and payments.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick and crops. Makes a notation about the enslaved person Toney from Chicora Wood Plantation who returned from the "yankees." The overseer believes Toney and his family should be sent to North Carolina as he does not wish to have him sent to the military.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing how the enslaved people who were sick are better, making bushels of oats and hogs on the property.
A letter from Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation to her husband John Ball in Charleston discussing a visit from Mrs. "Tourner" and Mrs. Laurens, the cook Eliza "grunting and walking lame," word from Midway Plantation that Binah's son Pompey, living at Pimlico Plantation with his wife, has been sick, that "Little Judith" is suffering from a cold, and memorandums.
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 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 Elias Ball III at Comingtee Plantation to his brother Isaac Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing Isaac's fever and sending the enslaved man Plimouth to visit Isaac to receive news of his health.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves discussing mules, Confederate bonds, valuable papers, the purchase of 600 bushels of corn, and Cheves' enslaved persons.
A letter from William Jones to Langdon Cheves Sr. discussing the enslaved man Harry and his wife Betty. The letter discusses Harry's service with another slaveholder and Betty's great health.
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 Elias Ball IV at Kensington Plantation to Elias "Wambaw" Ball exiled in Bristol, England discussing Elias Ball's squadron arriving in Charleston, word of 600 men in the town, payment for enslaved persons, the high tax of that year, and word from Mr. Gaillard regarding the remainder of the estates enslaved persons.
A letter from John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing a delayed visit due to rain, and the departure of the enslaved woman Phyllis from the rectory (believed to have gone to Comingtee Plantation) with the hope that "she might be at liberty to idle away." The letter goes on to discuss an earlier situation with Phyllis breaking the Ischudy's rules regarding "servants" eating breakfast and dinner. Due to her behavior, Ischudy writes that Phyllis was whipped with a "chincopen switch" and gave her "five or six cuts upon the shoulders." He ends his letter stating that Phyllis "has not been ill treated" and wishes for John Ball to punish her if she arrives at Comingtee Plantation.
A letter to Harold Cranston on Capers Island from James Vidal discussing Vidal's questioning of the enslaved persons. Concerning the enslaved persons, Vidal writes, "if you have too much familiarity, it will spoil them." He continues by discussing a boat and the unknown location of his rafts.
A letter from overseer John Jacob Ischudy to John Ball in Charleston discussing the rectory, a move to "pine-land," Dublin bringing "Old Bobbel" to the rectory, a complaint of dysentery, the work of "Friday & his wife," a situation concerning the purchase of butter from Comingtee Plantation and Mrs. Ischudy's concerns over " a gathering in one of her breast."
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 at Comingtee Plantation discussing a medical visit from a doctor for an enslaved woman, a possible case of typhus, a situation with Old Marcus and a shipment of supplies.
A letter from Charles Haskell to Langdon Cheves Jr. discussing the enslaved men Sharper and Stephney. Haskell states that the men "absented" themselves from the plantation, Sharper was jailed and there is no belief they ran away. Haskell ends the letter hoping "the enemy has relinquished his attacks on Savannah."
A letter from Keating Simons at Lewisfield Plantation to his daughter Ann Ball at Comingtee Plantation discussing health, the effect of rain on the roads, the shipment of curtains and a mention of "negroes."
