Freedmen's Bureau Letter's
 

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Freedmen's Bureau Letter's

 

Submitted by Janet K. Hawkins © 2004.  Compiled from Smithland, Kentucky, Freedmen’s Bureau Records, National Archives  and Records Administration, Washington, DC.

 

Smithland, KY

December 23, 1865

 

Lieut Col. A.M. York

Supt. R.R.F & ? L.

 

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 18th inst. And in reply will state that I have visited both Mr. Sanders Sen. And Mrs. Tabiatha Sanders Col’d. She lives in a smal [sic] house surrounded by water. She says Dr. Sanders asked her 3-dollars per month Rent when she moved into the house, but he has never asked for it since. She also states that she has not suffered much so far, as she has had a little money.

 

I requested Dr. Sanders to provide her with a better room, and also to provide her with wood and food; he promised to do so, he also said that he would not ask her for rent. I will go and see her again in a few days.

 

There are a great many col’d People about here who need the assistance of the Freedmens Bureau, not only here but 30-40 miles in the interior.

 

I am Col

Very Respectfully Your Obt Servant

Fred. Markle

1st D.C.C. 12th U.S.C.A. &c

Comdg Det. U.S. Troops

Smithland, Ky

 

Office Bureau R. F. and A.L.

Smithland, Livingston County, Kentucky

Answer to Circular No. 9

 

Report of the number of Freedmen (colored people of both sexes) who have been murdered (hanged or shot by mobs without legal trial, for alleged offences) which have occurred in this county from December 18th 1865 to October 1st 1866.  None

 

Report of the number of Freedmen of both sexes who have been “otherwise badly maltreated” in this County from December 18th 1865 to October 1st 1866.

1st. In the month of February the house of Henry Bond (colored) was forcibly entered by three white men – Frances? Smith, Thomas Davis and Pate Wells. Henry Bond was beaten, his life threatened, and his family shamefully abused.

 

2nd. In the month of February, Washington Williams (colored) was shot at by one of three white men whom he met in the road. The names of the three white men being Frances? Smith, Thomas Davis, and Pate Wells.

 

3rd. In the month of April Joseph Summers?, a white man, committed an assault and battery upon a colored boy named H.C. Covington by cruelly beating him.

 

4th. In the month of April, Martin Wilson, white man, committed an assault and battery upon a colored man named Edmund Iwen by cruelly beating him in the face.

 

5th. In the month of June L.W. Bates, a white man, committed an assault upon M. Marshall, Lucy George, and Mary Buckner, and by threats and abuse compelled them, contrary to law, to leave their house and home.

 

6th. In the month of June Richard Smith, a white man, committed an assault and battery upon Robert Hurley (colored) by knocking him down with a hoe causing a serious wound.

 

7th. In the month of July David Bryant, a white man, committed an assault and battery upon Lewis Pickard (colored) by knocking him down with a club and afterward striking him with a stone causing a serious wound.

 

8th. In the month of July Stanly Brown, a white man, maltreated an abused a colored woman named Lucy Ballany [Bellamy] and refused to pay her.

 

9th. In the month of August John Farris, a white man, struck James Terry (colored) in the face with a stone causing a serious wound.

 

10th. On the same day, John and William Farris, Henry and Bone Tyner, G.B. Jacobs, and Lucien Miles raised and led a mob which compelled all the negroes to leave Salem Ky. for their lives. There were many negroes in Salem at the time but I cannot learn their names.

 

These cases have come to my knowledge in this[?] between December 18 and October 1st 1866. J. Bond Thompson.

 

 

 

Smithland, Ky. Feby 12/66

Maj. Genl. C.B. Fisk, Nashville

 

Dear friend[?]

I am informed not on the best authority but rumor that you have appointed Bart Boyd as an assistant Commissioner of your Bureau for the (Livingston County).

 

I can hardly believe if for it certainly is a great fraud and some very false representation must have been made to you for I have every confidence to know you would not knowingly place in power here a man who has no interest with the Freedmen saying nothing of our government.

 

I have been personaly acquainted with Mr. Boyd for the last 3 1/2 years. He is or was a slave owner, has sold more slaves from the auction block than most any man in[?] it. He is constitutionaly a sympathy [text out? Page not photocopied fully] with the rebellion is associated with all the leading rebs in this county. I have never known him to do  ow? [text out] kind act of his own free will to put down the rebellion but his associates have been rebels. He voted and worked to elect the present representation for the county in opposition to the union candidate.

 

I cannot conceive how they would have the face to impose upon the union men of this county for us to sanction this fraud for now is the time the freedmen need advice and sympathy in their new position they need someone who will take an interest in their welfare and who they feel they can go to in confidence to see their contracts to.

 

 

 

Bureau R.F. and A.L.

Office Superindendent McCracken Co. Ky.

Paducah Ky April 17th 1866

 

Major J.A. Donovan

Chief Supt N.W. Sub Dist. Ky

 

Major:

I have the honor to forward the following statement of Edmund Irven (Col’d). He states that he left his household and personal effects with Mr. Hooks, the proprieter of the Elliott House in Smithland Ky. Ed. Irven now wishes to get his property and wishes the protection of the Bureau while so doing, as he fears violence from parties residing there. He will leave here on Saturday next for Smithland.

 

I am Sir

Very Respectfully

John F. Smith, Supt. McCracken Co. Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Head Quarters North Western Sub District Ky

Paducah Ky April 28th 1866

J. Bond Thompson Esq.

Supt Livingston Co. Ky.

 

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 23rd inst. In relation to the case of Clements versus Sutcliff and inform you in reply that in my opinion no action at law can be brought by the said Anna Clements (colored) for the cruelties alleged to to [sic] have been committed to her person by the said Julius N. Sutcliff in the year 1863 because the case is barred by statute of limitation if on no other account. By reference to the Statutes of the Commonwealth of Ky under whose provisions this case should be tried, if tried at all, you will see that an action for damage to person or property must be brought before the expiration of two years from the time of the commital.

 

You are authorized to make demand on the said Julius Nathan Sutcliff for rendition to the said Anna Clements and Mingo Clements her lawful husband of their twin daughters of 14 years of age and also of the personal effects of the said Anna Clements said to be in the possession of the said J.N. Sutcliff and that upon his (the said Sutcliff’s) refusal to render or deliver over to the said Anna Clements and Mingo Clements their said twin daughters and personal effects aforesaid you will proceed against him according to law for the unjust detention of person and property as in the case of white persons of this Commonwealth of Ky in similar cases.

 

Signed

John H. Donovan, J. Bond Thompson

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Assistant Commissioner Office State of Kentucky

Louisville, Ky July 12, 1866

 

J. Bond Thompson Esq.

 

Sir: I am directed by ? Major Gen. Jeff C. Davis Assistant Commissioner State of Kentucky to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 16, 1866 aclative? To the case of Alice and Mary, twin daughters of Mingo Clements (colored) of Livingston Co. Ky. who have been apprenticed to Julius Nathan Sutcliff of Crittenden Co., Ky and to inform you that there is no evidence to show that Mingo Clements is their father. From the report in the case, made to this office by N.R. Black Esq. of Crittenden County there is good reason to believe that they will receive proper care and a good home with Mr. Sutcliff. For this reason they will be allowed to remain with him.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Levi F. Burnett, Lieut. V.R.C. A.A.A. Genl.

 

 

Office Bureau R.F. and A.L.

Smithland, Ky July 14, 1866

 

An estimate for the support of extreme to destitute Freedmen in Livingston County Kentucky. At present I find but one to report. Viz   Name: Robert Smith, Age: 96.

Cause of destitution: Is that he was let free 15 years ago after being worked till extreme old age by a cruel master. Has no friends white or colored. Estimates for support per month $10.00 [$20.00?]

 

Reported by

Yours Respectfully

J. Bond Thompson

 

Paducah Ky April 17th 1866

Respectfully referred to J. Bond Thompson, Supt. B.R.F. and A.L. for Livingston County for investigation.

John H. Donovan

Major 19th Regt – V.R.C.

Chf. Supt. N.W. Sub Dist. Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Chief Supt North West Sub Dist

Paducah Ky 18th 1867 [month not written]

 

Solomon Littlefield Esq.

Supt. of Livingston Col.

 

Sir:

You are respectfully requested to obtain information relative to the loyalty or disloyalty of the following named persons without the knowledge the knowledge [sic] of themselves or any one whom they may be interested.

 

Wm. P. Nichols, near Princeton, Caldwell Co., KY

Jas Nichols “   “

Saml L. Lapsade “  “

William G. Grooms “  “

John R. Boyd of Marion Crittenden Co., KY

John F. White 4 1/2 miles north of Cadis, ? , KY

J.A. McCain, Waldoned? Trigg Co., KY

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obedient Servant

W. James Kay

Brt Cap. U.S. Vols

Chief Supt ?

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Supt Smithland Livingston Co Ky, March 4th 1867

 

W. James Kay, Bvt Capt

U.S. Vols. Chief Sup ?

 

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that I have made all the enquiries [sic] that I can in regard to the loyalty of the persons you requsted me to assertain and the best information is that W.P. Nichols, Jas Nichols, Saml L. Lapsade & William G. Grooms are disloyal. I got my information from John McCoy, ? Dept Provost Marshal of Caldwell Co Ky who is well acquainted with them. I also have positive information from Mr. John Harris that is well cquainted with J.A. McCain & John White & William G. Grooms and he sais that they are all disloyal.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield, Supt L. Crittenden Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedemn and Abandoned Lands

Office Chief Supt N West Sub Dist of Kentucky

Paducah Ky March 15th 1867

 

Solomon Littlefield Esq.

Supt Bureau R.F. & A.L.

Cos. Livingston & Crittenden, Smithland Ky

 

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Report of the assault of A. Brown (col) by C.?F. Mitchel and of the proceedings of the court in relation thereto.

 

You are instructed to make a full and explicit statement of all the circumstances connected there with giving as near as you can the reason of the assault the name of the Judge before whom the trial was held H.H.?

 

Enclosed I forward a contract between R.W.? Foster of Crittenden County and George Groves (col) now a resident of Elizabethtown Illinois. Groves states that the contract was fulfilled on his part and that Foster has refused payment. You will investigate and report on the case at your earliest convenience and return the contract to this office.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt Servant

W. James Kay

Bvt. Capt. U.S. Vols.

Chief Supt. N.W. Sub District Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Supt Smithland Ky March 20th, 1867

 

W. James Kay

Bvt. Capt. U.S. Vols.

Chief Supt. H.H.

 

Sir

I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letters of the 15 & 18th inst. At the same time and enclosed I find a contract between R.W. Foster & George Groves (col). You wish me to attend to it as soon as practible but [following text scratched out: it is out of my power to do much at present] also you wish me to assertain as to the loyalty of J.R. Boyd and William A. Champion. As to Boyd the best information that I can get is he is loyal. Champion I am well acquainted with him. He is a Southern sympathetic and in favor of the South gaining her independence but he has not don anything for the South only in talking.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Svt

S. Littlefield

Supt R.F. & A.L. Livingston & Crittenden Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky April 13 1867

 

W. James Kay

Bvt. Capt Chief Comr H.H.

 

Sir

I have the honor of submitting for your inspection the statement of Dela Reed (col) in regard to her children now held as slaves by one Benj. Jones without her consent. She sais that B. Jones has had her two children for the last twelve months or more and that she has went for them and the said Jones refuses to give them up the children ages 14 and 12 years and that she is able to support them.

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Comr R.F. & A.L.

Livingston & Crittenden Cos.

--

Bureau Refugees Freedeman and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky April 15th 1867

 

Geo Graves (col)

 

Sir

I have the honor of acknowleding the receipt of your letter of 9th inst. And its contents duly noted now in regard to your contract I have it myself and I have received your affidavit but that is not what I want. That what I do want is to know how much you are dmaged by Fosters not complying with your and his contract the amount you can prove and by whom you can prove it by now be sure and attend to it as soon as possible.

 

Yours Respectfully

S. Littlefield

Comr R.F. & A.L.

 

 

 

Bureau Refuges Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky April 15/67

 

Dr. J. Duke Mott, P.M.

 

Sir

I am informed by A. Bird (col) that you know the names of the men that made the raid on Pat Linsey, Henry Mansfield & James Mitchesons house and demanded their guns & pistols and did take some of the away and said if any one reported them that they would hang them. Now if you can give me any information on the subject I will be under many obligations.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Servant

S. Littlefield

Comr R.F. & A.L.

Livingston & Crittenden Cos.

 

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland April 20th 1867

 

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt U.S. Vols.

Chief Sub. Asst Comr H.H.

 

Sir

I have the honor of sending you a statement from George Graves in regard to the contract with R.W. Foster. He (Graves) sais that he is damaged at least $175.00 by Fosters not complying with the contract and that he can proove [sic] by Lillman Huff a white man living at Fosters landing, Polly Green, Melton Davis & Agustus Kurt (col). I awate your instructions in the mater.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Sub Com. R.F.

 

--

War Department

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Washington, April 8th/67

 

Circular Letter

The Circular Letter of Feby 12th 187 regulating the designation of offices is so far modified as to permit officers serving under the direction of sub assistant commissioners and in charge of portions of Sub Districts to be designated at Assistant Sub Assistant Commissioners.  O.O. Howard, Maj. Gen. Commissioner

 

 

Officer

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt. U.S. Vols

Chief Sub Asst Comr

 

Sub Asst Comr Office Bureau RF & A.L. Paducah, Ky

 

Solomon Littlefield, Esq.

Assistant Sub Asst Comr

Smithland, Ky

 

Sir

In answer to your communication of the 20th inst. I have the honor to instruct you to cause George Graves (col) to enter suite against R.W. Foster. As he has Lilman Huff for a witness there can be no posible [sic] doubt but what he (Graves) receive justice at the hands of the court? Authorities.

 

You will report the action of the Civil Court to this office.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

W. James Kay U.S. Vols.

Sub Asst Comr H.

 

 

War Department  / Bureau Refugees Freedmen & A.L. /  Claims Division / Washington, D.C. April 19th/1867

 

Bvt Brig. Gent V. Burbank  /  Asst Commissioner /  Louisville, KY

 

General

Iam directed by the Major Genl Comadg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 11th inst. Requesting that the following described forms be furnished from office 10 soldiers? Application for bounty when discharged is lost.

 

100, 3d and 5th class

Evidence of marriage Widows claims for pensions

None of the above forms are printed or issued from this Bureau

 

Forms of application for additional bounty discharged papers being lost, are supplied from this office SW cir 12 Bureau of C?

 

In application for ordering bounty discharge papers being last, the declaration should be made on the usual form of application for arrears of pay and bounty. A supplementry affidavit as indicated in the 15th clause pamphlet printed instructions from this office accompaning each claim.

 

The circumstances connected with the marriage and cohabitation of persons of Color who were slaves or of so varied a character as to preclude the issuing of printed forms of evidence which would be adopted to tany considerable? Number of dases.

 

A manuscript form of evidence of two C?? witnesses is furnished to each Supt or other officers of the bureau who forward claims which form with obvious modifications will meet the requirements of each cse. Where there is no record evidence of the mariage of parties and the affidavit of the persons who solomized the marriage rites cannot be obtained. It has not been considered necessary to issue forms of office certificates as to the disease or wound of the soldier as no special form of the certificate is required, see Cir 10 Office Claim Division Ssvces of 1866

 

I am General

Very Respectfully

Your Obedient Servant

Wm. Fowler, A.A. Genl

 

Signed

Oficial copy furnished Solomon Littlefield Esq for his informaion and guidance.

W.James Kay

Bvt Cap. U.S. Vols

Sub Asst Commissioner H.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky April 23rd/67

 

George Groves [Graves?]

 

Sir

I have just received instruction from Headquarters for you to bring suite against R.W. Foster for your damages in the Circuit Court at Marion Crittenden Co. Ky. You will have to employ a Lawyer to attend to it and he will give you all the instruction necessary in the case. You had better attend to it immediately as the Court commences next month at Marion and if you don’t get justice there the Bureau will attend to it but the case has to be tried by the Civil Court first first [sic] you will report the action of the Court to this office.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Asst Sub Asst Comr

 

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky April 30th/67

 

Report

There has been no disturbance with the white the white [sic] people & colored everything is quiet and I have not herd [sic] of anyone refusing to pay the colored people according to their agreements so far as the court is concerned they will not take colored testimony.

 

S. Littlefield

Asst. Sub Asst. H.H.

--

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Offie Smithland Ky April 30th/67

 

School Report

School commenced April 29th/67 by Marges? McCome, number of pupils 30, number of new scholars 20, average attendance 20, number always present cannot say. There is there is [sic] 20 at this time number over 16 years of age. 2 number in alphabet, 20 number who spells and reads easy lessons, 6 number of pupils in Sabbath Schools, Ky?

 

The school at this place has been delayed on the account of the teacher being sick but he has now opened his school and has every prospect of having a good school as soon as it is generally known that he has commenced. There appears to be no disposition on the part of the white people to interup the school.

 

S. Littlefield, Asst. Sub Asst H.H.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland April 30th 1867

 

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt. U.S. V.

Chief Supt. H.

 

 

Sir

I have the honor to send you my report of the unfortunat (colored) persons in Livingston & Crittenden Cos. Ky. In Livingston there is 15 supported by the County & in C. there is no one blind, deaf or dum., imbesilic or idiotic, insane or club footed.

S. Littlefield

Asst Sub Asst Comr. RF&AL L & C Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland May 2nd, 1867

 

Gen. I have the honor to report James McKinny disloyal.

 

S. Littlefield

Asst Sub Asst R.F. & L

Livingston & Crittenden Cos. Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky May 3/67

 

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt U.S. Vols.

Chief Sub Asst Commr H.

 

Sir

I have the honor of adressing in reard to two col children that is bound out by M.R. Black who was at the time Supt of bureau of Crittenden Co. Ky. Now the mother of the two children sais that she never gave her concent [sic] that the children should be bound out that she has been trying to get them from Mr. J. N. Sutcliff and that he will not give them up and if she comes about his place anymore he will cowhide her. The children are twins and was 11 years old last Feby. And that she is able to take care of them and has been the whole time.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Svt

S. Littlefield

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Sub Asst Comm. N. West Sub Dist Ky

Paducah Kentucky May 6th 1867

 

Mr. Solomon Littlefield

Agent for Livingston & Crittenden Cos. Ky

Smithland Kentucky

 

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your report showing the number sex and age of the class unfortunate among the colored population at Smithland Livingston Co. Kentucky and would inform you that not only Smithland but your entire agency is embraced in the order Livingston & Crittenden Cos.

 

Your report is herewith returned for correction and you are instructed to forward a full and thorough report of your entire agency at your earliest possible convenience.


I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt Svt

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt. U.S. Vols.

Sub Asst Comma.

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky

 

W. George Graves

 

Sir

Yours of the 2nd? Inst. Received and according to your wish I herewith enclose your contract with Mr. R.W. Foster and am ?  I think you had better bring suit against Foster if he will not pay you without.

 

I will be in Marion on Monday next.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent BRF & AL

Livingston & Crittenden Cos Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky

 

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt. U.S. Vol.

Sub Asst Commissioner H.

 

Sir

I have the honor of stating to you that I have engaged a school house for the purpose of keeping a colored school at fifteen dollars per month and that is as low a price as any can be got in this place and the trustees of the house is to let the rent go to pay the school teacher the rent to commence from the first of May 1867.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent of L & C. Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland May 14th 1867

 

J McCoy Esq.

 

Dr. Sir

I have the honor of requesting of you another favor. I wish to assertain the loyalty of the following named persons to wit,

 

William Black, William George and James H. Hays, if you can let me know as to their loyalty you will confer a great favor.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent R.F. & A.L.H

For Livingston & Crittenden Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky May 18th 1867

 

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt U.S. Vols Sub Asst Comr

 

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that I have been to Marion Crittenden County according to instructions from you and got all the information that I can in regard to the colored persons bound out by the County Court Judges of Livingston & Crittenden Cos. There have been bound in Livingston County William Trimble 14 years old, Robert Trimble 12 years and Henry Trimble 7 years old to James Trimble their former owner. May 1866, William Canady 6 years old was bound to B.S. Canady Nov. 5, 1866.

 

There has been bound in Crittenden Co. Susan More 7 years, Wesley More 9 years bound to Alford/Alfred? More June 6/66, Betsy Hodge 13 years, Bush Hodge 6 years bound to Singleton Hodge Oct 9/66. Levina Thomson/Sherman?[name written over] 9 years old, Emma Sherman 7 years old, Vina Sherman 4 years old, and Molly Sherman 11 years old bound to J.C. Brown March 11th/67. Zela Sherman 4 years old bound to P.C. Stephens March 11th/67, Joseph Wood and bound to L.J.? Woodard Oct 8th/66. The above named children is all that has been bound out by the County Court Judges. There is two children bound out to Judge Black when he was Asst Supt of the Bureau Refugees Freedmen & A.L.  They are the only ones I can assertain that has been bound by any Bureau Office in my district.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent bureau R.F. & A.L.

L. & C. Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland May 18th/67

 

W. James Kay

Bvt. Capt. U.S. Vols.

Sub Asst Commissioner

 

Sir

I have the honor to state to you that I have been to Marion and have seen N.R. Black, L. Asst Supt Bureau in regard to the two children of Anna Clemons that is bound out to J.N. Sutliff. The children has a good place. They are well taken care of and are satisfied to stay where they are, and when the children was bound out they were abandoned by their mother and no one to take care of them.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt. Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent Bureau R.F. & A.L.

Livingston & Crittenden Cos.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky May 18th 1867

 

John Ely

Bvt Brig Genl U.S.V.

Chief Supr.

 

Genl

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your check no. 1224 on the U.S. Depository at Louisville Ky for $150.00 in payment for my services for Feby March & April 1867.


I am Very Respectfully

S.Litlefield

Agent R.F. & A.L.

Livingston & Crittenden Cos. Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland May 22/67

 

W. James Kay

Bvt Capt. U.S. Vols.

Sub Asst Comm. H.

 

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that I have got the information from J.W. McCoy, L.D.P.M. of Caldwell Co. that William Black, William George & James Hayes are disloyal and from other reliable sorse [sic] that Thomas M. Lewis is disloyal.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent Bureau R.F. & A.L.

Livingston & Crittenden Co. Ky

 

 

Quartermaster Generals Office

Washington, D.C. April 30th 1867

 

Bvt Maj. Genl Thos Sironds?

Apr QM Gen?

Louisville, Ky

 

Sir

You are respectfully requested to furnish the Quartermaster General with any information you may possess or which you can obtain relative to the past and present loyalty of the following named persons,

 

Citiziens of Crittenden Co Ky

 

John B. McMican and Granville F./P.? Clements, Marion

Abra? B. Rankin, Weston

A.J. Wheeler, Caldwell Springs Chur?

 

Please return this letter with our answer endorsed upon the back.

 

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Servant

 

By order of the Quarter Master General

James A. Blue

Deputy Quartermaster General

Brevet Brig. General U.S. A. in charge of First? Division

 

 

Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky May 14th 1867

 

John Ely

Bvt Brg Genl U.S.V.

Chief of Staff

 

Genl

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 14th inst. And in answer I will say that I have seen the trustees of the church that the school is kept in and they are willing to take the fifteen dollars per month for the house and no one to be excluded on the account of having no money to pay for tuition. They further agree that the rent shall go to pay the teacher Marques McCome. Therefore the rent is to be paid to him. The house has but one room, but is quite a large one sufficient to hold all the scholars that will attend the school.

 

I am Very Respectfully

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent R.F. & A.L.

Livingston & Crittenden Cos. Ky

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedman & A.A.

Office Smithland May 24th 1867

 

John Ely

Bvt Brig Genl U.S.V.

 

Sir

I have the honor to report ?[smudged] B. Sanders disloyal.

 

S. Littlefield

Agent R.F. & A.L.

L & C. Cos.

 

 

Burau Refugees Freedman and Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland Ky May 30th 1867

 

Monthly Report

There is quite a bad feeling in this county & Crittenden County existing between a portion of the white citizens & colored on account of the white people having the colored person arrested and fined for the most trifling offences where there is no such a thing as fining a white man let him do what he will to a colored man.

 

S. Littlefield

Agent &c

 

 

Monthly School Report May 31 [1867]

No of scholars enroled 50. Males 18, females 32. No. enroled last month 30. No. left school this month 3. No. of new scholars this month 21. Average attendance 35. No. always presant 30. No. over 16 years of age 3. No. in alphabet 17. No. who spels & reads every[?] lesson 24. No. of advanced readers 5. 1 Sabbath School. No. of scholars 40. In regards to the teacher we have I think it would be better for the scholars if they had a teacher more advanced in his education one that could write and cipher. This man cannot do either. He is however very good in lerning the scholars to spel and read and keeps very good order.

 

S. Littlefield

Agent &c.

 

 

Bureau R.F. & A.L.

Office Smithland June 15th/67

 

W. James Kay

Bvt. Capt U.S.V.

Sub Asst. Comr

N.W. Sub Dist Ky

 

Sir

Yours of the 15th Inst is received and noted in explanation[?] Of my business to Marion I was ordered by W. James Kay Bvt Capt. U.S. N. Sub Asst Commr to go to Marion Crittenden Co Ky and assertain how many colored children had been bound out by the County Court. Also to see N.R. Black former Agent of the Bureau R.F. & A.L. of Crittenden Co. in regard to two colored children that was bound out by him to J.N. Sutliff. I accomplished the trip and reported the same to Capt. Kay

 

I am Very Respectfuly

Your Obt Sevt

S. Littlefield

Agent &c.

 

 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands

Office Smithland June 15th/67

 

John Ely

Bvt Brig. Genl U.S.V.

Chief Supt. &c.

 

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th inst inclosing a check no. 1412 on the U.S. Depository in Louisville Ky for fifty dollars $50.00 in payment for my services for the month of May/67.

 

S. Littlefield

Agent &c.

 

 

Teachers Monthly School Report

 

For the Month of June 1867

There is 1 day school in Smithland Ky opend 29th day of April 1867. Whole number of Pupils 50. Number of pupils last month 50. Average attendance 30. Number of pupils paying tuition 12. Number always present 30. Number in alphabet none. Number who spell and read easy lessons 41. Number of advanced readers 5. Number free before the war 1. Number of Sabath Schools 1. Number of Pupils in Sabath School 40.

 

S. Littlefield

Agent Bureau R.F. & A.L.

 

Monthly Report

For June 1867

 

There is very little disturbance in my district with the white persons and colored there has been but on [sic] in the late month when a white man kicked a colored child and hurt her very badly and I have had a warent isued for his arrest but he has not been arrested and the civil court pays but little attention to such cases. The colored person has but a poor show in this district.

 

S. Littlefield

Agent Bureau R.F. & A.L.

 

 

Smithland, May 25th/68

R.S. Egalston

2nd L. U.S. Inf.?

Brt? Apt Comte

 

Sir

I have the honor to address you by request of Miss Mary Jane Sanders, the present colored school teacher at this place. She has taken the place of Washington Lee, the former teacher, which she (Miss Sanders) thought that you knew until your note to him for him to make out his school report and send them to you. I think there is some mistake in regard to it, as the colored people was very much dissatisfied with Mr. Lee, and a great many of them would not send their children to him and they petitioned to have Miss Sanders to take his place, and she has been teaching the school since the first of this month wherein you wil pleas find her report for this month.

 

I am Very Respectfully Your Obt Sevt. R. Littlefield

 

P.S. There is a colored women here that has twin babyes about six days old that is not able to work and has not got a thing to eat. She is in a sufering condition. I have caled on the County Court Judge and he sais that he cannot do anything for her. He sais that there is no money in the treasury to be appropriated, and the Trustees of the Town will not do anything in regard to her case. Now if the Bureau dos not attend to her I do not know what will be come of the poor woman.

 

The Colored people have a hard time since the Sheriff collects the taxes from them, and in sted of distributing it to the paupers, they pay it out to white men for keeping col. children that their parents are able to take care of them and have been trying to get them and these same white men will not giv them up now I do think that there should be som steps taken to remady thes evils.

 

Yours Respectfully,

S. Littlefield

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