Edward Barnwell, having transferred from South Carolina College to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about the room he has rented near campus. Barnwell describes the university and the city as being "against credit" and asks that money for his full tuition and expenses be sent at once.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing the food at his boarding house and at the houses of his friends at the University of Virginia. Barnwell relates that many of the student "seceders" from South Carolina College are at the university and that "more are expected."
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing the difference in examinations between South Carolina College and the University of Virginia.
Letter from Edward Barnwell at the University of Virginia, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, at the family plantation, Laurel Bay, near Beaufort. Barnwell discusses the recent jailing of two fellow students including one who shot another man. According to Barnwell, most students "are in the habit ...of going armed" a practice he calls "blackguard and cowardly." Barnwell relates his plans for travel in the summer months and laments not going to the recent inauguration of Franklin Pierce.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her of the success of his examinations and his plans to meet his father in Philadelphia.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Philadelphia while traveling with his father. Barnwell describes his Aunt's house fronting a public square and tells of their plans to travel next to Cape May, New Jersey.
Letter from Edward Barnwell at Niagara Falls to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell. Barnwell describes riding over a wire bridge into Canada and taking a steamboat to the base of the falls. He alludes to a recent accident in which a man "held on 22 hours" to a snag in the river and details their plans to travel on to Montreal, Quebec and New York City.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Philadelphia, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, while traveling north with his father. Barnwell describes their trip from Niagara Falls to Montreal, Quebec, Lake Champlain, Lake George, New York City and back to Philadelphia. His father, Barnwell writes, has left Philadelphia for Pottsville, PA, to escape the heat.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Philadelphia, to father, William H. W. Barnwell, in Tuscarora, PA, concerning plans to meet up again and resume traveling. Barnwell informs his father of the deaths of 200 people in New York due to a heat wave, but assures him the weather is cool enough for his return.
Edward Barnwell writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, about his employment in Charleston. After a brief stint with Coffin & Pringle Co., Barnwell has taken a more advantageous position with commissions merchant, Mr. Hubert. Barnwell also mentions a smallpox outbreak that has hit Charleston and the countryside and notes a bad reaction his brother, Robert Woodward Barnwell, has had to the smallpox vaccination. Barnwell suggests having his father's "little negroes" inoculated as well if enough vaccine can be found.
Edward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, inquiring about family in Beaufort and informing her of his plans to have tea with friends "to see some Northern Girls."
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, in Beaufort. Edward writes of his hesitancy to visit King St. at night to pick up items requested by his family in Beaufort and asks his sister to help him get to the bottom of an unnamed rumor involving him.
Letter from Edward Barnwell, Charleston, to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, in Beaufort enclosing stamps and informing her of a shipment of rice being sent to "Capers Landing".
Short letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, apologizing for being unable to send her things to Beaufort in a timely fashion due to his work at Mr. Hubert's counting house.
