Enon Ala Jany 18th 1867
Dear father– I address you thes lines which leves my self and two childeran well. I am at this place trying to do the best I can for my self. times are harde here and money scearse I wish to leve this place, and move out to whare you are If you can make any shift to get me a way from here, I will work for you or any that may help me to get to whare you are antill you or they are paid. I am in a destitute condition, my husband has left me and has left nothing to support my self and childeran on. My Dear father if you or Brother Josep can possibley do any thing for me, or geat it done by others you dont know how glad I will be besides working for you untill you or they are paid– If you can do any thing for me I want it done a mediately. as I am ancktious to leve here. I want for you to write to me as soon as you get this and let me know what you can do for me. the breathering of the church here says that they will assist me all that they can in getting off, so if you come, let me know before hand so that I may be ready, and get as much help as possible from them hopeing that this may reach you & finde you and all well, I remane your doughter
Elizabeth Weden
Direct to G– White Enon Ala
Alexandria, Va., March 12th 1867.
Lieutenant; James Pryor a freedman of this place, desires to have his daughter, Elizabeth Weden and her two children, who are now at Enon, Alabama, in a destitute and suffering condition, sent to this City, where he and his son can provide for them. She was sold from him 22 years since, and he has been ignorant of her whereabouts until a few weeks since, when he received a letter from her, in which she details her sad condition. For your information I enclose the same. If consistent with the Regulations of the Bureau covering such cases, I would respectfully recommend that transportation be granted Elizabeth Weden and her two children from Enon, Alabama, to Alexandria, Va. I remain, Lieutenant, Very Respectfully, Your obt. servt.
S. P Lee
[Endorsement] [Bure]au Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, [H]ead-Quarters Asst. Commr., D.C, WASHINGTON, [March] 14 1867 Respectfully returned to Capt. S. P. Lee, Supt. R & F. Alexa. Va. It is not deemed advisable at this time to forward this application for the transportation of the people to Alexandria, Va. The number of freedpeople already there, is so large that employment cannot be obtained for them.
An application for transportation for James Pryor to go to his daughter would be more in accordance with the policy of the Government and if made would receive favorable consideration. By Order of Bt. Brig. Genl E. Whittlesey Act'g Asst. Com'r D.C. Wm W. Rogers A.A.A. Genl
Elizabeth Weden to father [James Pryor], 18 Jan. 1867, enclosed in Capt. S. P Lee to Lieut Wm W. Rogers, 12 Mar. 1867, #132 1867, Registered Letters Received, series 3851, Alexandria VA Superintendent, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. Captain Lee signed as an officer in the 45th U.S. Infantry.
Published in Land and Labor, 1866–1867, pp. 861–62.