Kate Ferguson, wife of Samuel Wragg Ferguson, writes to her husband's godmother. This undated letter was apparently written after Samuel Ferguson's promotion to brigadier general in the Confederate army. She relates how "Ferguson's command is now resting from his last terrible raid" and that "Capt Nugent and William Barker have not yet returned from Deer Creek." 4p.
Ledger for Vernizobre Bank construction (bank termed as a repair to a river) ca. 1860, including entries dated 1859. Ledger itemizes expenses associated with the building of Vernizobre bank and includes payments to various landowners for use of their slave hands and carts. 4p.
Legal complaint between William C. Bee and Godfrey Blake concerning the adjudication of several large tracts of lands bequeathed by Charles Heyward. 9p.
Legal release from William Henry Heyward & Esther Heyward to James B. Heyward. This document grants the title and rights to certain properties of Esther Heyward to James B. Heyward in exchange for property bequeathed to William and Esther by their grandfather. This document is apparently a renewal of an earlier release signed by all parties that was lost during the war. 5p.
Lengthy contractual agreement between Thomas B. Ferguson and the freedmen and women workers at Dean Hall Plantation. The contract, approved by the Freedmen's Bureau, outlines the conditions of employment for the freedmen including, "comfortable quarters" and one acre of land, monetary penalties for unexcused absences, ten hour work days, and rules concerning tools, work animals and plantation upkeep. One term in the contract, crossed out, specified that the freedmen were to receive one-half of the entire crop though it was amended later to one-third. 4p.
Letter from A. E. Niles of the Freedmen's Bureau to Thomas B. Ferguson at Dean Hall Plantation affirming the dismissal of a freedmen laborer from Ferguson's employ. 1p.
Letter from A. J. Samson to James B. Heyward notifying him that he has been elected an honorary member of the newly formed association of Charleston area survivors of the 1st regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. The association aims to help comrades still suffering from the war and to preserve the regiment's history. 1p.
Letter from A.M. Jones to James B. Heyward requesting employment as an overseer of Myrtle Grove Plantation. Jones writes "we are enveloped in a most distructive (sic) dreadfull war without any reasonable knowledge of the end" and he fears that his employers, who run a "mill at Black Creek," are preparing to abandon it. Despite having "no experience as a rice planter," he begs James for employment noting that he has "a little knowledge in the management of negroes." 2p.
Letter from Ada Henry to sister Lou concerning friends and family in England and India. The letter is undated, although Henry references the recent death of Stonewall Jackson and the troubles in America. The connection to the Heyward or Ferguson families is unclear. 6p.
Letter from Alice Izard Heyward to her mother-in-law Henrietta telling her she is sending some flannel via "Capt. Morgan" and is looking forward to a trip to the "Elms." 2p.
Letter from an unknown sender in "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The letter writer mentions several mutual friends and family and informs James of weddings and social events in Beaufort and Charleston. The writer also mentions James' grandfather's trips to attend to plantation affairs in Pon Pon, a new house being built along the Ashepoo and other trips to Hilton Head and "Hunting Islands." 4p.
Letter from an unknown sender in Charleston to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The letter writer informs James of the news of family and friends including many well-known Charleston families. She also mentions a devastating fire that recently occurred that burned through parts of Meeting, East Bay, Market, Pinckney, Hasell and Guignard streets writing "it is really gloomy to ride in that part of the Town now for the last winter's fire meets this one just at the Market." 4p.
Letter from an unknown sender in Rose Hill to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. The writer provides rich details on the news of scores of friends and family. 4p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" at "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. His aunt writes about the family, how ice has destroyed their avenue of oaks, and comments on how the legislature in Columbia is attempting to make the college there the only one in the state and turn Charleston College into a preparatory school. 4p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" at "Rose Hill" to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. In addition to updating James on family news, the writer comments on the historic low temperatures of the winter, the destruction of St. Philips Church in Charleston due to fire, and the presence of elephants and other "Beasts" in town, presumably overwintering circus animals. 4p.
Letter from Aunt "Elzh" in Charleston to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. She write James that the health of his grandmother has forced her to take a trip upstate to Flat Rock and that his brother Nat met her in Columbia via "the RailRoad as far as Branchville, and then took his Horse and went on." She writes of family members and friends travelling in Europe and that "Strangers fever is rather more prevalent than some years back...owing to...so many cellars being left open, and water collecting in them." 4p.
Letter from Aunt (?) "Elzh" in Charleston to James B. Heyward in Cambridge, Mass. "Elzh" catches James up on all the news of friends and family in Charleston, Beaufort and elsewhere and mentions a new law passed by the Legislature "preventing coloured People from teaching." 4p.
