The papers include bills, a note, an order, a plat, real estate conveyances, receipts, a tax assessment, a tax notice and a writing composition book. A hand-written list of the items in the collection is also included. Most of the material relates to Pardue's farming activities -- purchases of land and supplies, the slaughter of hogs, lumbering, and tax payments on his agricultural products. One April 10, 1852 receipt is for an enslaved hire; a note, dated February 2, 1858, may also document the temporary hire of a slave. The plat, dated December 29, 1800, was surveyed by Rob Bradford for Edward Meadour; it is for 233 acres in the Orangeburg District, SC near the Edisto River. Two of the real estate conveyances (one is a January 16, 1847 sheriff's title; the other is dated November 12, 1860) relate to land purchases and sales by Jacob Kneece, a farmer in the Lexington District, SC. The composition book, dated February 11, 1863, is by P. Dumire and is entitled "The Art of Writing"; it contains instructions on letter formation for various writing styles and samples of compliment cards, deeds, invoices, letters, oaths, orders, probate, receipts, etc. two of the conveyance also include a renunciation of dower rights; one such renunciation is by Polly Cully, dated July 15, 1858.