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Williams’ last will and testament. “Knowing the uncertainty of life and being in good health and of sound and disposing mind…” Ten items regarding how his body and estate are to be managed. Describes the boundaries of his property. Leaving his daughter $100 “on account of her being lame.” Includes discussions of his wife selecting 5 enslaved individuals to keep in her service as well as the right of several of the enslaved women to choose their home "either in or out of my family" but must be valuated. States that enslaved families aren’t to be separated, including husbands and wives, whenever possible.

Went to choir practice and a dance, but has not been out socializing much due to an abundance of business"since my return from Yankee Land." Had a hunting trip in Chesterfield." . . . Killed a goodly number of Partridges, & Old Hares, one big Owl & at night went ‘Possum' Hunting . . . they are queer chaps, something between a rat & Hog." Writes about bringing an African American man on the hunting trip to help cut down trees to capture the possums. Italian Opera Troupe performing in town. Obtained a book of music from Philadelphia, and inquires after others. Writes about there not being a day"set apart by the Gov't" for Thanksgiving, with only Christmas being the big holiday,"then all hands black & white, bond & free have a holiday." An Episcopal Church is being renovated, and Ned hopes they get a new organ.

Discusses his abolitionist lectures in Morris which have caused people to convert to the antislavery cause and stirred up abolitionists. "The morality of the place is low." Mentions some ministers who are pro-slavery and "the balance of the churches are the same." He states this his antislavery efforts are the first in Grundy County and that "my labors, as far as I have gone, show how easily the whole state might be got right side up."

Two pledges not to provide alcohol to either currently enslaved people or free people of color for twelve months without the verbal or written consent of the slave owner, employer, or guardian of the individual. Eady of the firm Eady & Floyd signed the agreement on one side, and Barber signed an agreement dated February 12th with identical language on the other side. Both sides signed by Rob[er]t B. Davies, Cl[er]k.

Communicates that John Hayes, a free black man, is teaching at a District school, has a large family to support, and is the son of a respectable farmer living between Middletown and Summit Bridge. "I cannot conceive what the Law of the State of Mississippi relative to manumissions has to do with a man proved to be free born."

Acknowledges receipt of letters and donations from foreign missionaries to the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. "...it is cheering to know that converted heathen, at such a distance, under the faithful preaching of sypmathising Christian countrymen, feel for the slave, for the free people of this country, and for the Redeemers." Comments on the work of missionaries and their converts in furthering the anti-slavery cause and Christian principles generally. Materials recently sent to Baldwin, other missionaries, and Chief Justice [William Little] Lee (1821-1857), will give them a sense of the cause's current status. Committee accepts the $100 and will use it to distribute a tract, noting the failure of the American Tract Society to publish anti-slavery materials. Grateful for monthly prayer concerts "to pray for the downfall[l] of slavery." Will publish portions of Baldwin's letter in the Independent, noting the newspaper's strong anti-slavery stance and the number of ministers who subscribe to it. Mentions Harriet Beecher Stowe and the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin. "...the sale has been unprecedented, certainly in this country . . . Facts are woven into a fiction with a power superior to Dickens' . . . It is a good indication that such a work is read with so much avidity. The anti Slavery discussions prepared the way."

Settlement regarding the property of Mary Elizabeth Pitman, a minor. Includes entries for the hire of enslaved persons, real property sales, management costs, etc. Outlines the change in Mary’s guardianship, placing her in the care of Elizabeth Pitman because of Lawson’s mismanagement of the girl’s affairs.

Contract between 'Black Nell', a free colored woman, and John Zabriskie for her seven-year old daughter Gin to "learn the art and business of a house servant and maid for the term of thirteen years." She is to be taught to read and write, and be provided food, clothing, and shelter.

Asks Parkes to see if A. Merrill would buy an enslaved boy named Beeler for $600. Notes that the boy had rheumatism, and that the illness might return, but if the trade could be made he would bring the boy to Merrill. "Franklin is a better slave market than Nashville."

Regrets the length of time since they last visited. Doing well in the lumber and mill business. Notes on dairy cows, cheese, hay, and horses. News of visits, health, deaths, children. Excited about the construction of a local railroad. Alexander Buell died while serving as a Congressman. Grandfather is encouraging Charley to visit, promising him "his Certificate of Life membership of the Seamens friend Society." Comments on religion in the area, believing it to be doing poorly with few coonverts. Notes on abolition, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and other anti-slavery literature. Brief mention of local newspapers, including "F[rederick] Douglas[s] paper"