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Freedmen's Labor Contracts, Colleton County, South Carolina, 1866
Image: Detail from Freedmen's Bureau Circular No. 3
Issued in February 1866 as a Suggested Format for SC Labor Contracts [5]
View Full Circular:
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The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands was established within the War Department by a Congressional Act on March 3, 1865. The same act authorized the appointment of Assistant Commissioners who were responsible for operations in specific Sub-Districts.
When the Bureau began operations in South Carolina, Sub-Agents were charged with was visiting the plantations within their Sub-District, and giving an account of conditions on each plantation [1].
Early reports for Colleton County, preserved in the Freedmen's Bureau Monthly Land Reports, reveal that in the fall of 1865 conditions were still very much in flux in the Colleton County countryside.
There was a great deal of movement in and out of Colleton County plantations as families separated by the domestic slave trade, Antebellum estate settlements or the upheaval of the Civil War returned to their former homes or reunited with family members. On some plantations freedmen were cultivating subsistence crops but food shortages were still widespread.
Remarks included with early reports suggest that smallpox was raging on some plantations in Colleton County in the fall of 1865, especially along the Ashepoo and Combahee Rivers (an area encompassing both Colleton and Beaufort Counties). On those plantations, sickness from smallpox prevented many from cultivating subsistence crops. Early reports also suggest that supply problems delayed the delivery of rations to Freedmen's Bureau agents in Colleton County, which resulted in severe food shortages in many areas [2].
By January of 1866, many of these conditions seem to have stabilized. Rations had reached the Freedmen's Bureau Sub-Districts and were being distributed. Many Colleton County plantations had been restored to former owners who were required to enter into contracts with freedmen in a new labor market economy. Contracts generally required former plantation owners to share the crop yield with freed families who lived on, and cultivated, the lands (most often for one-half to two-thirds of the crop yield) [6].
These labor contracts were transcribed by Lowcountry Africana Co-Director Alana Thevenet. We thank her so much for her hard work in bringing these to Lowcountry Africana!
If you find an ancestor here we would love to hear from you! You can send us a note at toni@lowcountryafricana.com. We also invite you to discuss your discovery in our new Forum!
Peter R. Appleby with Freedmen
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Peter R. Appleby with Freedmen
DATE OF CONTRACT:
February 20, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Andrew |
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John S. ashe With Freed People
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
John S. Ashe with Freed People
DATE OF CONTRACT:
April 4, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Wilton Place
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Jacob Drayton
Ellen Drayton
Caesar Ancrum
Linda Ancrum
Hagar Geddes
Richmond Branham
Cely Branham
Cain Geddes
Charlotte Barker
Jerry Tomson
Milly Fishburne
Beck Bennett
Bess Seymour
Selma Holmes
Stepney Baynard
Linda Baynard
Sarah Burnham
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Jno. S. ashe With Freed People
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Jno. S. Ashe with Freed People
DATE OF CONTRACT:
No date, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Grace Gaillard
Penny Doctor
Hagar Jackson
Terhmu(?) Barnwell |
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Edward Barnwell With Freedmen
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Edward Barnwell with Freedmen
DATE OF CONTRACT:
January 1, 1867
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Ned Allston
John Smith
Rachel Smith
Joseph Gaillard
Jackson Buggs
Minda Capers
Cornelia White
Nancy Lockwood |
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C. Bass with Peter Gadsden
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
C. Bass with Peter Gadsden
DATE OF CONTRACT:
February 14, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Peter Gadsden
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Thomas A. Baynard With Freed People
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Thomas A. Baynard with Freed People
DATE OF CONTRACT:
March 16, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
Edisto Island
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Jack Miller
Hannah Miller
Isabel Judge
Sam Judge
John Miller
Delia Miller
Charles Miller
Phoebe Jenkins
Sam Obliging
Robert Obliging
Ruth Obliging
Alfred Geddis
Mima Geddis
Israel Geddis
Jim Scott
Venus Scott
Brister Deas
Cinda Deas
Sam Proctor
Toby Bias
Cibbe Bias
Jenny Bias
Tom Bias
Stephen Jenkins
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Joseph Bee & Freedpersons
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Joseph Bee & Freed Persons
DATE OF CONTRACT:
January 17, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Winter
Burns
Philis
Silvia
Mingo
Anna
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Mrs. Mary Bee & Freedpeople
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Mrs. Mary Bee and Freedpeople
DATE OF CONTRACT:
April 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Winter Hopkins
Silvia Campbell
Hannah Campbell
Phillis Campbell
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Wm Brailsford and Henry Washington
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Wm Brailsford and Henry Washington
DATE OF CONTRACT:
January 1, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Henry Washington
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J.T. browning and Waters Rhames
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
J.T. Browning and Waters Rhames
DATE OF CONTRACT:
March 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Waters Rhames
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David S. Clayton with Freedmen
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
David S. Clayton with Freedmen
DATE OF CONTRACT:
December 1, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Joe Snipes
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David S. Clayton with James Simmons
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
David S. Clayton with James Simmons
DATE OF CONTRACT:
March 28, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
David Simmons (Summons?)
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John Clayton with Kit Summers
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
John Clayton with Kit Summers
DATE OF CONTRACT:
January 26, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Kit Summers
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JNo. Clayton with Prince Rice
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Jno. Clayton with Prince Rice
DATE OF CONTRACT:
February 12, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Prince Rice
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JNo. Clayton with Thos. Clayton
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Jno. Clayton with Thos. Clayton
DATE OF CONTRACT:
February 1, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Thos. Clayton
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John Clayton with Jupiter Boone
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
John Clayton with Jupiter Boone
DATE OF CONTRACT:
February 1, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Jupiter Boone
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Warren W. Clement with William Deas
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Warren W. Clement with William Deas
DATE OF CONTRACT:
January 26, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Adams Run
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
William Deas
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J.H. Cone with March Middleton
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
J.H. Cone with March Middleton
DATE OF CONTRACT:
January 29, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
March Middleton
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J. Evans Edings with Freedpeople
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
J. Evans Edings with Freedpeople
DATE OF CONTRACT:
March 26, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Edisto Island
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Dick Bowman
Wm. Wright
Hector King
Ned Wright
Cain Myzek
Andrew Mitchell
Peter Mackson
Ratcliff Pinckney
Spencer Mitchell
Miley White
Bella Saunders
John Lawrence
Thomas Becket
Sam Beering
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John E. Gelzer with Freedmen
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
John E. Gelzer with Freedmen
DATE OF CONTRACT:
February 13, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
St. Pauls Parish
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Susan Jenkins
Nancy Grant
Nelly Small
Sam Small
Nancy Neat (Neal?)
Jacob Neat
Philip Jenkins
Peter Small
George Grant
Hanah Singellton
Bess Matthews
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Thomas Gelzer with FreedPersons
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
Thomas Gelzer with Freedpersons
DATE OF CONTRACT:
Jan 1, 1866 [appears to have been signed July 14, 1865]
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Bob
Moses
William
March
Andrew
Cyrus
Alfred
Joe
James
Abram
Isaac
Shedrick Perry
Jim Clark
Ben Clark
Rose
Katie
Nellie
Rosie?
Mary
Bety
Teina
Bety
Liddie
Joseph
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Dr. E.A. Gibbes with Freedmen
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Freedmen's Labor Contract
Colleton District, June 1865-Feb. 1868
Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
NARA Micropublication M1910
Roll 103, Target 5
TITLE OF CONTRACT:
"Letter of Dr. Gibbes Giving Terms of Contract
with Freed People on His Plantation"
DATE OF CONTRACT:
March 7, 1866
PLACES MENTIONED IN CONTRACT:
Adams Run
Colleton District
South Carolina
NAMES OF FREEDPERSONS:
Samuel Gibbes
Sampson Fenwick
Gainey Singleton
Ancel Guerard
Harry Rivers
["formerly belonging to me"]
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[1] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 2005 Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872. Micropublication M1910, Reel 103, Reel Guide. Washington, D.C.: NARA.
[2] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 2005 Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872. Micropublication M1910, Reel 103, Target 2. Washington, D.C.: NARA.
[3] and [4] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 2005 Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872. Micropublication M1910, Reel 71. Washington, D.C.: NARA.
[5] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 2005 Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872. Micropublication M1910, Reel 103, Target 5. Washington, D.C.: NARA.
[6] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 2005 Records of the Field Offices for the State of South Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872. Micropublication M1910, Reel 103, Reel Guide. Washington, D.C.: NARA.
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