[Wilmington, N.C.] Sept 19th 1865
Harry Nixon (Freedman) states that he worked on the plantion of Mr John Sanders situated in Robeson Co, since 5th June 1865, He agreed then to stay with Mr Saunders & work on his farm until the crop was matured. but no specific agreement was entered into by either party as to what they were to receive. but it was understood by Harry that a certain portion of the crop was to be his share. He had a wife. & seven children on the place, his wife and two children also worked. Harry & family left the place on the 13th of August last, states his reason for so doing that he & family were not given enough to eat, He left before the crop was gathered, but wishes compensation for the time he & family worked there
ACTION
[Wilmington, N.C.] Sept 21st 1865
Charles Fryar as the representative of four other (Freedmen) states the he worked on the plantation of Mr William Fryar of Duplin Co since the 27th April 1865. He states that when the crop was planted Mr Fryar told the freedmen that tho' he furnished the Land & impliments for carrying on the work, still he would only take one third of their crop when gathered. Mr Fryar now claims the entire crop refusing to allow the Freedmen any thing for their services. Charles furnished the team while plowing the crop & is still working on the farm, wishes justice done him in this matter.
ACTION
Wrote to Mr Fryar to pay Charles fair & Liberal wages for his work.
[Wilmington, N.C.] Sept 30th 1865
John Caldwell “Freedman” states that he with four other “freedmen” worked on the plantation of Mr Edmond Caldwell of Sampson Co since 27.th April 1865 that they planted a crop & worked it faithfully since– That no agreement was made as to what each were to receive. The Freedmen furnished the Teams & Mr Caldwell promised to give them a fair share when the crop was gathered– He has now from no cause driven them of his premises & refuses to give them any thing for thir services
ACTION
Wrote Mr Caldwell directing that a fair share of the crop be given the Freedmen & a satisfactory statement made at this office for his having driven them away before paying them
[Wilmington, N.C.] Sept 30th 1865
Edmond Newkerk “Freedman” states that he with four other freed persons worked on the plantation of Mrs Mary Ann Wells of Duplin Co. that Mrs Wells gave them permission to plant the land but no agreement was enterd into by them about the division of the crop Edmond states that he furnished the Teams and that the “Freedmen” fed themselves & team all the time & that now she claims half the corn & all the fodder & schucks & tried to force her claims by having them put in jail a few days since
ACTION
Wrote Mrs Wells requesting an explanation why she had the freedmen put in jail & also told her that I had directed the freedmen to pay her for the rent of the place alone
[Wilmington, N.C.] Oct 1st 1865
Charles Haws (Freedman) states that he with three other freed people worked on the plantation of Mr Enoch Haws of Bladen Co since the 27th April 1865. that they planted a crop. with the verbal understanding that they were to have half of what was made & now since the crop is a bout to be gathered he refuses to give the Freed people more than an eighth of what was made – on their refusal to accept this proposition were driven away by him & made to leave his farm–without any thing
ACTION
Wrote Mr Haws directing him to give these people a fair share of what they made &c
[Wilmington, N.C.] Oct 1st 1865
Joseph Williams (Freedman) states that he with four other freed people worked on the plantation of Mr Harper Williams of duplin Co since 27th April 1865– that at the time the crop was planted Mr Harpe Williams was not on his plantation & therefore no agreement could be entered into by them– Now that the crop is made Mr Williams requires two thirds of what was made as his share–The freedmen, furnishing the team and feeding them-selves since the first June 1865–
ACTION
Wrote Mr Williams directing him to do justice by the freedmen & give them a fair share of what they made, directed Joseph to report at this office what action was taken–
Complaint of Harry Nixon, 19 Sept. 1865, complaint of Charles Fryar, 21 Sept. 1865, complaint of John Caldwell, 30 Sept. 1865, complaint of Edmond Newkerk, 30 Sept. 1865, complaint of Charles Haws, 1 Oct. 1865, complaint of Joseph Williams, 1 Oct. 1865, vol. 268, pp. 16–17 and 21–23, Registers of Complaints, series 2903, Wilmington NC Superintendent of the Southern District, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No response from any of the landowners named in the complaints has been found among the letters received by the district superintendent.
Published in Land and Labor, 1865, pp. 759–61.