Ball family. Ball family correspondence, 1800-1980.
Title:
Ball family correspondence, 1800-1980.
The bulk of this collection represents the family of William James Ball (1821-1891) of Limerick Plantation (Berkeley County, S.C.). Correspondence (1801-1830s) from the previous generation of his family includes letters of John Ball (uncle of William James Ball) and his wife Anne Simons Ball of Comingtee Plantation, and Keating Simons, father of Anne S. Ball. A letter (1805) from William J. Ball (1787-1808) in Scotland to his brother John Ball at Comingtee Plantation concerns his visit to London, his journey to Edinburgh to become a medical student there, and a "splendid illumination in this city" in honor of Horatio Nelson's victory at Trafalgar. A letter [1833?] from W.D. Gourdin in Cordesville, S.C., to John Ball concerns the pursuit of two runaway slaves camped at "Mepkin old field." The slaves, Morris and Adam, were owned by William Aiken. There are many letters (1840s-1850s) to Julia Cart Ball, wife of William James Ball (1821-1891), some addressed to her at Limerick Plantation. Her correspondents include a friend named Harriet (or "Hal," probably Harriet Mauger), writing mainly from Charleston, whose letters (1841-1844) mention the Cart family and also report on social life and cultural activities in town, such as the "commotion" caused by the visit of an English nobleman, Lord Morpeth. An undated note (ca. 1845) from Hal concerns her wedding to Mr. Waring (Thomas Waring, Jr.). Letters (1843-1850s) from Julia's sister Elize ("Liz," later Mrs. Gray) also discuss social life in Charleston and family matters. One letter (1843) mentions her visit to "the mesmerized lady," which convinced her of the "power of mesmerism." There are also numerous letters to Julia from her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Cart. Many of these are undated and mainly concern family and household matters. Other correspondents into the 1860s include Auguste Taveau, Catherine Theus, Harriet L. Hall, M. Perry, Jane Shoolbred, Catherine G. Poyas, Mrs. Josiah Obear (1848), John Cart, Jr., and Henry Poyas Foster. A letter (1860) from Willie (William J. Ball, Jr., 1842-1880) to his father concerns the political climate in Charleston and describes a secession flag featuring a "palmetto encircled by a rattlesnake...and the motto Vox populi, vox Dei." His letter of 12 Jan. 1861 describes the standoff over Fort Sumter, preparations for the defense of Charleston, and the secession of other states. Another letter (1864) from William on Johns Island, S.C., to his father mentions his brother Isaac Ball, a prisoner of war, and a raid on Mr. Shoolbred's farm which left the family "nearly ruined." Postwar correspondence includes a letter (1867) from Elias Ball to his father William J. Ball regarding his schooling, and describing an incident in Columbia in which a procession of black citizens were upbraided by "two Yankee women" for listening to speeches by Wade Hampton and others. Later 19th-century correspondence includes a letter to Dr. T. Grange Simons from John A. Johnson, quarantine officer at Port Royal, S.C., regarding financial affairs of his office. Twentieth-century correspondence includes letters to Mrs. Elias Ball (Mary How Wilson Ball), and letters (1930s and 1940s) to the family from Dr. Robert Wilson Ball, written mainly from Columbia and locations abroad during World War II.
ArchivalResource:
0.75 linear ft.
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/70978605 View
View in SNAC
