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 John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina to his son John Ball Jr. at Harvard College in Massachusetts discussing traveling to Newport, Susey's boys and her financial struggles, the health of citizens in Charleston, and a publication on the number of deaths in the city for whites and blacks. The letter ends discussing the deaths of the P.M. Parker, the newly elected assistant rector of St. Philip's Church and Cousin Corbett's son Tom.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing finances for William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland, and national politics.
A letter from Professor E. Pearson at Harvard College in Massachusetts on John Ball Jr.'s standing at the university including his absence due to sickness.
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 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 William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing the birth of a baby in John's family, other family matters, and the observation that many inhabitants in Edinburgh have a wooden leg due to sickness.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing his travels, classes in physics, chemistry, and anatomy, the "Corsican Hero," and Lord Nelson's death fighting against the French and Spanish.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball at Kensington Plantation discussing letter writing, damage to the crops in South Carolina, and the British troops in the Napoleonic Wars.