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.
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..."
Copy of the last will and testament of John Coming Ball naming John Ball of Kensington Plantation and Elias Ball of Limerick Plantation as his executors, giving the "negro man Nat his freedom and all my wearing apparel," the enslaved women Hagar and her daughter Charlotte their freedom and that Charlotte should be given an education and "placed out" as an apprentice when she comes of age, the enslaved driver Jackey (son of Lucy) his freedom, and bequeaths to Mrs. Wilson any "negro girl" among the enslaved females.
A list of questions to ask the ordinary made by John Ball in preparation for writing his will, which is also included. Questions include those for advertising, the appraisement of former enslaved persons that are emancipated, and the cattle at Jericho Plantation.
A copy of the appraisement made at Back River Plantation which includes eighty-six enslaved persons. The list includes the valuations of the enslaved persons as well as the notation that the enslaved person Jackey is a driver. The remaining information for the appraisement is for household furniture, cattle, linen, tools, seeds, and grains.
A letter from Catherine Hort at Middleburg Plantation to her uncles John and Elias Ball on her gratitude for their attention on "our joint estate." Also included is John Ball's reply on her father's estate, and Catherine's "dissatisfaction to both the division of negroes and land."
A letter from Jane Ball in Charleston to her son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College discussing John's arrival at school, a spread of fever in the country, the burial of "Mrs. Crips," the poor health of "Neighbor Latham" and sending the enslaved woman Polly to help Latham.
A list of ninety-one enslaved persons owned by John Ball. The reverse side of the document contains lists of enslaved persons above fifty years old and under the age of twelve.
