Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Columbia, SC, to his brother, William H. W. Barnwell about family and an event at the South Carolina College requiring the expulsion of several students.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, to father, William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell tells his father of his return from Bay Point and informs him of the ill health of his Uncle Robert's young child.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to William H. W. Barnwell asking for his help in locating a catechism "for the religious instruction of Negroes" that he has displaced. He also informs William of the Episcopal Church in Beaufort's recent contributions to Rev. William Boone's mission in China and asks that Rev. Boone publish "some specific statement" as to the prospects of his success given that so much money has been contributed from South Carolina.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to brother William H. W. Barnwell. Barnwell writes about his summer in Beaufort, the inheritance of 25 negroes from "Cousin John's" estate, and the intention of the local planters to hire a "Rev. Webb" to attend to the "parochial charge of their negroes."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to his brother William H. W. Barnwell, Charleston, about family, Robert's leadership of Sunday School in Beaufort, and issues concerning temperance, including a lengthy discussion about "Northern temperance papers" and "quarrels about sacramental wine."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to his brother William H. W. Barnwell, Charleston, discussing fund raising for William's new church building via the auction of pews and other donations.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, at South Carolina College, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell describes his stopover in Charleston en route to Columbia after Christmas break, including his lengthy visit to a dentist.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, at South Carolina College, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell discusses housing problems at the college and describes a group of freshman who, in the "Edisto fashion", play cards in lieu of studying.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Andover, MA, to his mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, and younger siblings. Barnwell writes of his trip North and describes his reluctance in buying an expensive frock "knowing Papa's circumstances."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, discussing Baptist and Episcopal churches in Beaufort, SC. Barnwell advises his father to "reserve your anti Baptist battery" to the religious press and not local newspapers.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his work visiting camps and hospitals and procuring supplies for wounded and sick South Carolina soldiers in Virginia. The letter contains pages written by his wife, Mary, describing a trip to Munson Hill in Northern Virginia that Barnwell had taken with Generals Beauregard and Johnston. According to Mary, Barnwell could see Union soldiers atop the U.S. Capitol Building and, while there, witnessed a skirmish among picket lines.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to sister describing his unceasing work tending to sick and wounded Confederate soldiers in Virginia. Barnwell writes that he hopes to return to Columbia the following April when South Carolina soldiers end their tour and perhaps save his summer salary at South Carolina College.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, updating her on the growth of his two young sons, Singleton and Robert. Barnwell also refers to "Carolina's backwardness" in its attack of Fort Sumter and believes the action ruins any hope "of redeeming our pledge of independence."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, offering his opinion on the particulars of his younger brother Stephen's education and describing the vegetable garden he has planted.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his preparations for another term as professor at South Carolina College.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to brother, Edward H. Barnwell, from Charlottesville, VA. Robert writes of visiting Edward's alma mater at the University of Virginia and alludes to an offer of employment at the College of William and Mary.
