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THE
FREEDMEN'S RECORD.
VOL. I. BOSTON, APRIL, 1865. No. 4.
"THE FREEDMEN'S RECORD" is published monthly, and is the organ of the NEW-ENGLAND
FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY.All communications for or relating to the "RECORD" should be addressed to M. G. KIMBALL, 8, Studio Building, Boston; and must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer.
Terms per annum, $1.00 in advance ; single copies, 10 cents.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW-ENGLAND
FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY.
The third annual meeting of this Society was held in the Old South Chapel, Spring Lane, Thursday afternoon, March 24.
The Meeting was called to order by the Recording Secretary, Edward Atkinson, Esq., and Vice-President, Professor William B. Rogers was called to the chair.
The Annual Report, which we give below, was read by Rev. John Parkman, Chairman of the Executive Committee. After the reading of the Report, several gentlemen addressed the meeting. A new Board of Officers was chosen for the ensuing year.
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW- ENGLAND FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY.
Our last report detailed the operations of this Society for the year ending April, 1864. It gave also a full statement of efforts made by the other freedmen's associations through-out the country.
The present Report will confine itself to the operations of the New England Freedmen's Aid Society, to a brief statement of its principles, and of some of the results of its labors.
This Association had its origin Feb. 4, 1862, in a meeting held at the house of Rev. Mr. Manning, in response to an appeal made by E. L. Pierce, Esq., agent of the United States Government for the contrabands at Port Royal, in behalf of eight thousand liberated slaves within the lines of our army. The appeal was responded to by the forwarding of large quantities of material supplies, and by the sending immediately thirty-one efficient teachers and superintendents to Port Royal. Since this date, under the sanction of Government, which has furnished shelter and army rations, and, in part, transportation to our employees, we have been able to add largely to our corps of teachers, and to extend the field of our operations. We have now teachers in Washington, D.C., Alexandria, D.C., Beaufort, Newberne, Norfolk, St. Helena, Mitchelville, S. C., Jacksonville, Fa., Edisto Island, Savannah, and Charleston, S. C. It has been thought best to concentrate our efforts at these points, and to leave other stations to the charge of other societies, who, from nearer neighborhood or from other causes, seemed to have special adaptation to particular fields.
During our three years' existence, we have employed two hundred and twenty teachers, and have now in our employment fifty-four: nine men and forty-five women. Forty-three have been sent out during the past year. Twenty-eight are supported by auxiliary societies.
By the word "teachers " is not meant those solely who are expected to teach the ordinary branches of school education. Some never enter a school edifice. All are expected to give instruction in those arts of civilized life which the negro needs quite as much as book-learning. Lessons of industry, of domestic management and thrift, lessons of truth and honesty, lessons which may help their pupils (children and adults) to unlearn the teachings of slavery, — these make a part of the system of education which our New-England men and women are striving to introduce into our Southern States. And gladly do we testify to the fidelity, to the large religious sense of the dignity of their calling, which they have manifested.
The New-England Freedmen's Aid Society has claimed from the very beginning, as indeed the circumstances under which it was formed
50 The Freedmen's Record
would indicate, absolute freedom from all sectarian connections and aims. While it expects its teachers to be religious in character and influence, it imposes no sectarian tests. * Its teachers, like its officers, represent almost every shade of religious opinion.Our association is not committed to any political theory, nor does it enunciate any mooted theory of the equality of races. It does not blame nor justify all the past, nor does its base its claims for a hearing on any affirmation or prophecy about the future: opinions upon these points may differ, but here are the simple facts; there are large multitudes of destitute negroes at the South, who (like large numbers of destitute white people) will need, while the war lasts, the supply from time to time of pressing bodily wants. They will need for a longer period, instruction in the elements of knowledge and in the arts of civilized life. This society confidently asks of persons of every shade of religious and political, of radical and conservative opinion, is it humane to leave this people to perish unsuccored? Is it better, is it safer to give them intellectual advantages, which the humblest classes in the free states enjoy, or to leave them to become dangerous classes in their ignorance and barbarism? Those who make this appeal do not feel as if it required much of mere sentimentalism, or of ultraism, to give to such inquiries a negative answer. We are glad to say, that, based on such arguments, our appeals to the public during the past year have met, as our Treasurer's Report will show in part, with more of sympathy and response than they have enjoyed in previous years.
During the past year we have employed some new instrumentalities, which were called for by new and enlarged fields of action. Among these was the appointment of a General Agent, with increased responsibilities and powers,— the employment of several travelling agents,--the establishment of a new journal, "The Freedmen's Record," and various efforts made to form auxiliary societies, the sending of agents to visit Washington and the eastern shore of Virginia, in order to report on the condition and needs of the freedmen there,— and the systematic measures taken to hold meetings in the different wards of our city, and to canvass them for funds for our treasury. All of these measures have been productive of good results, and some have been successful to a degree hardly looked for by the most sanguine.
The Treasurer's Report shows that the sum of $85,529 has been contributed to the funds of the society, and that $32,822.69 has been expended. In addition to sums in. cash that have been received, packages of clothing and of supplies have been contributed, valued at nearly $25,000. The whole amount at the disposal of the society, *including last year's balance, and the last named item, has been about $65,000. A large portion of the sum figuring as "Balance " in the Treasurer's Report has been received lately, and is in process of expenditure. Our last years receipts are three times as large as those of the previous year. It must be borne in mind, that New England is a favorite field from which all benevolent associations gather large returns, and that three other Freedmen's Aid Societies have, with great industry, canvassed Massachusetts especially.
The Report of the Committee on clothing shows, that they have paid for clothing and supplies, and for forwarding to the South 407 cases, barrels, and bales, the sum of $13,070. They have received of valuable new and second hand clothing 898 cases and barrels, and 164 parcels, not including several hundred new garments made by a society in Boston, to be sent to the Sea Islands. These contributions have come from ninety-six different towns in New England, acknowledged in the Monthly Reports of this Committee.
We would refer our readers to the Report of the Committee on teachers, for a full and interesting account of the workings of our educational system at the South. We have anticipated one or two of its statements in respect to the number and localities of teachers.
In regard to the coming year, measures are in train, destined, we trust, to bring about even more satisfactory results than those which have followed past labors.
The Society has just purchased a lot of land in Washington, D.C., on which a schoolhouse will be soon erected, and where will be kept
* So far as we know, of the fifty-four teachers, seven or eight are Unitarian, and three are "Friends." The remaining ones are about equally divided among the Baptist, Methodist, and Orthodox Congregational Communions. The sects last named are much more largely represented than other denominations, simply because they are largely in the majority in New England.
51 The Freedmen's Record
our second school after the New-England pattern by one of our most accomplished teachers. We are also, with the co-operation of the Pennsylvania and Baltimore Societies, upon the point of consummating plans to open also in the same city an employment office. A superintendent is engaged, and the institution bids fair to be of great service in relieving Washington of a large number of negroes now supported by charity. We are glad to state also, that we have, during the past week, at a meeting held in New York, formed a union with the societies just referred to, and into which it is hoped two or three other Freedmen's Aid Societies will also come. A large increase of efficiency and success is anticipated from this arrangement.The progress of our armies will also open new and larger fields for our operations. At Charleston and Edisto Island we have already agents ready to enter upon the work of educating the freedmen. At the points last named, we shall enter upon the work under peculiarly favorable circumstances. The gentleman selected by the general in command to superintend the negro schools was sent out by our association as one of its teachers, and we have the further advantage of being first in the field. The Society could have no better opportunity for testing its efficiency than that which is here offered. From Charleston, S. C., we have just had (and since the Report of the Committee on teachers went to press) a requisition for six teachers, and a request that one of our teachers now there may be allowed by us to take the position of Principal of the St. Phillips school. We have also advices that within a few days we shall be requested to send teachers to Wilmington, N. C. We hope, that, in a few more, we shall receive similar intimations in respect to Raleigh and Richmond.
In the past year, we have been happy to welcome and reciprocate the co-operation of other similar associations.
With two of these especially, as has been already intimated, our relations have been particularly cordial. With the management of another association we have had, though in a friendly spirit, some controversy.
At an earlier stage of our enterprise, it was foreseen by the different freedmen's associations, that in order to secure harmony and unity of action, it would be necessary that the principle of a division of labor should be adopted in their operations.Accordingly in December, 1863, at a meeting at Washington of delegates from the five principal Freedmen's Aid Societies, among other resolutions this was adopted : " Resolved that we recommend to the several associations that they arrange for themselves, distinct fields for the collection of funds and materials of aid, and that as far as possible, they avoid all collision or interference which may unfavorably affect their separate interest and the common prosperity." We have to regret that our friends of the New York National Freedmen's Relief Society have persistently declined, notwithstanding our friendly yet urgent remonstrances, to be bound by the letter or the spirit of this resolution; and that the result has been, too frequently, collisions and bickerings between the agents of the two societies, which have brought reproach to the good cause.
We can only express the hope that future attempts towards the desired end may be more successful, and that, in the absence of any central organization rightfully claiming the title "National," the different independent State organizations may be permitted to pursue their own methods without clashing with the agents,—not always representing many of the noble spirited men who employ them, — of other State societies.
It does not belong to our province to speculate about the future. From the beginning of our enterprise, we have endeavored to meet existing wants and claims, with no more of the spirit of prophecy, than that inspired by a strong faith in God, — God the just and the impartial, — and in that overruling providence which has worked so potently, and yet in ways so unexpected by human foresight during the last four years. We may say, however, that we welcome gladly the measures recently initiated on the part of our Government for the establishment of a Freedmen's Bureau.
Whatever be the success of this important measure, it is not probable that the necessity for organizations like our own will cease. In Washington, all that relates to the condition of the negroes, is directly under the control of the Government, and yet the co-operation of Freedmen's Aid Societies, has been always needed and welcomed. Is it unreasonable to suppose that when not forty thousand, but four millions of freedmen are to be supervised, there will be still a call for our services, just as there is a need now for the supplementary services of the Christian and Sanitary Commissions in another department?
We do not think it inappropriate in view of
52 The Freedmen's Record
inquiries, and of doubts also often expressed, and having reference to the whole scope of our enterprise, to glance at a few of the general facts and principles which the history of our own and kindred associations has served to confirm or illustrate.Perhaps the most common form of doubt in relation to the efforts of Freedmen's Aid Societies, is expressed in this question often put; viz., do those who have watched their progress and labored in their behalf find that they are equal to the Anglo-Saxon races? The reply is obvious. In order to justify our enterprise and our hopes it is not needful to prove this.
The peoples who belong to the. Asiatic, the Polynesian, the Esquimaux races are not viewed as shut out from all attempts to civilize them, because they are inferior in most respects to the Anglo-Saxon race. On the contrary, the greater the inferiority, the stronger is the claim on those who can help to elevate. Who shall define the minimum of endowment, which bars the claim of a human being to such help as the strong can give to the weak, the instructed can give to the ignorant?
And further, may there not be, in this wide world, something to do, even by those to whom God has given, not the ten talents, but the one talent of natural endowment?
But we are justified in resting our appeal not solely on these grounds. We affirm that the negro has afforded abundant evidence; to say the least, of susceptibility to, and capacity for, improvement and progress.
Doubters of the feasibility of our aims pay us and our clients "the compliment of high expectation." In their criticisms of the negroes's short-comings, they require that a. people who have been slaves for centuries should, at one bound, spring into ,the civilization which it has taken centuries for the white races to attain. They have not done this. They have as yet shown themselves inferior as respects many of the traits which characterize some of the white races. Yet on the other hand, it is not too much to say, and this is a truth we would emphasize, that they have brought about results which promise well for their future, and which would be creditable to any people, subjected to the same drawbacks, with the same history. Slavery is not a good field in which to raise men. If it trained them to become as industrious, and thrifty, as energetic and self-relying, as they become under free institutions, then it might be queried whether, at least for peoples imperfectly civilized, slavery to a superior race is not better than freedom. If the negro race has been subjected to all the crushing influences of slavery for centuries without receiving hurt therefrom, then it is not merely equal but superior to all other races.
The American negro has had however, one advantage, which, though far from neutralizing all the ill effects of his bondage, gives a favorable augury for his future. He has been trained to labor.
"You Quashee, — idle Quashee, I say you must get the Devil sent away from your elbow, my poor dark friend. In this world there will be no existence for you otherwise." Mr. Carlyle ought to have remembered that the Devil of Idleness has no prejudice against color, and that white not black hands are those which on the plantation are idle. Slave-labor is carried on after a slovenly fashion, intolerable to a New-England farmer: still it is better than idleness. Even such poor board and lodging as reward the black man's long years of labor are better than the wages which habits of sloth pay, whether the recipient be slave or master. Now, not to compare the colored freedman in these regards with the Sandwich Islanders, or with the Asiatics whom Christian Missionaries are trying to civilize as well as Christianize, he has an advantage in his training and habits, over even more advanced peoples. It is not too much to say, that the freedmen in South Carolina do more work in a week than the Roman peasants who are excavating the Baths of Caracalla, and the Forum, or the Neapolitan lazzaroni, who do not even seem to work anywhere, do in a month. Labor in a Southern clime is never so energetic as in a Northern clime. There are black laborers, as there are white ones everywhere, who do not like to work. Sometimes they ask more than reasonable wages. They have difficulties on this score with employers. The black man needs the spur of white competition. He is accustomed to sluggish and clumsy ways, and cannot be readily induced to change them. His employers often lose patience with him on these accounts, but all this is not peculiar to Port Royal, Norfolk, and the banks of the Mississippi. Much of it is incidental to the relation of employers and employed everywhere. Much of it is incidental to a transition period, and will soon pass away. Much of it would be deprived of its point,
53 The Freedmen's Record
when quoted in the way of disparagement or discouragement, were this simple question weighed: How much better would white men of a low class in society have done in their place?Due allowance made for all these circumstances, there is no reason for doubting that under the influence of new incitements, —new rewards, new wants, new hopes, —the freedman will, nay does now, compare favorably with the laboring classes in any Southern country. He works better under freedom than under slavery.
Mr. Philbrick states that even at Port Royal, — where the work-people are those who have not been received into the army, because not able-bodied,—that these gin twice the quantity of cotton per day that used to be the assigned task of an able-bodied slave.
Mr. Saxton writes, "So far as the operations of this department were intended as a trial of the capacity of the blacks for civilization, the experiment has been entirely satisfactory. It has demonstrated beyond controversy, that, under the usual inducements of free labor, they will be industrious and efficient laborers." And Dr. Eliot of St. Louis, — whom no one would accuse of extravagance of statement, — says, that, owing to the different habits of industry previously, "the difficult question in future, will be, not what we are to do with the poor blacks, but what we are to do with the poor whites."
We have hinted at a comparison between the negro freedman as respects industry, and the Italian peasant. — Suppose that we should read in the Journal of the Friends of Italy, this: It is only three years, since the draw-backs on Italian national industry have been removed, and here are a few facts.
The sales last year to people recently common day-laborers at San Felice (not St. Helena) amounted to fifty-six thousand scudi, and lately at a sale at Velletri (not Beaufort), the same class of people bought, with their earnings, from seventy-five to eighty houses, costing in the aggregate about $40,000. What an argument for the new over the old system would be further statements like these. Tomaso Pelucci (not black Harry) sold last year one thousand three hundred and fifty-eight dollars' worth of cotton, besides raising corn, pork, and potatoes enough for his family, — and Gennaro Scapi, ex-contadino (not Kit Green, ex-slave), sold his cotton for four thousand one hundred dollars. The industry and practical efficiency of no class of men, whether white or black, can be measured by what they have done under an oppressive rule, with none of the incitement which comes only from free institutions.
All the reports of teachers employed by us, and by other Freedmen's Aid Associations, testify also to a further fact; viz., the freedmen evince a most earnest desire to be educated. Nothing, unless it be their strong religious sensibilities, and their faith in the Northern white man, has so much surprised even their warmest friends as this trait. Their belief that reading and writing are to bring with them inestimable advantages, seems, in its universality and intensity, like a mysterious instinct. All who have been among them bear witness to this fact. As respects aptitude to learn, there is similar unanimity of testimony. It cannot be expected that a man or woman whose only school-training heretofore has been that of the plantation-school, or that children whose ancestors have been slaves for generations back, should show the same quickness that the children of New England parents manifest. The negro adult or child, before he enters the Freedmen's school, has been at a very bad preparatory school. Slave-masters are not good schoolmasters: still, —due allowance made for parentage and training,—it is not too much to say, that the aptitude at acquiring the elements of knowledge is, by the testimony of all our teachers, marvellous under the circumstances. They do not write as if they found calls for more patience than is demanded in our ordinary Northern schools. And it is a most significant fact, that the most enthusiastic are not the new teachers, but those who have been at their posts from the beginning. It may be of interest to some, to know that they do not find any difference, in respect to intellect, between those of pure blood and those of mixed blood.
The importance of the work of educating the freedmen, can hardly be exaggerated. Its results will reach into the future. Rebellion will indeed be soon suppressed, and we shall become again one people. Still, many years will probably elapse, before union will be heartily welcomed by those who will be forced to accept it. The great mass of white men, who are now disloyal, will remain, for some time to come, disaffected. The black men who are now friendly will remain so. And to them must the country look in a large degree, as a counteracting influence against the evil coun-
54 The Freedmen's Record
cils and designs of the white freemen. What better weapons can we offer to these rude allies than those which education gives? It may be that the national Government will give them even more potent ones. It may be, that, as a military necessity, not philanthropy, required that they should be made soldiers, a political necessity may require that they shall be made voters. We cannot doubt that if the experiment is tried, it will show that they will exercise this right of the free citizen quite as well for the good of the country as do thousands of emigrants whose ignorance and inferiority work no disqualification. It may appear that the same will hold true when comparison shall be made between them and their white neighbors; multitudes of whom have had as little school-knowledge as they have, and whose very small share of political knowledge has been learned in the school of Calhoun and Jefferson Davis.But however the question in respect to the negroes' right of suffrage may be settled, thus much is certain; that it is for the interests of a republic, that all who dwell on its soil should be educated. How absurd to utter such a truism, if the millions in question were white men!
In these last remarks, we have intimated how wide is the sweep of our enterprise. There is no other which is so little open to the charge of being the offspring of pet theories, or of mere enthusiasm and sentimental philanthropy. It is a very narrow view of its large action to regard it solely as an appeal to the sentiment of pity in behalf of the suffering.
It addresses all lovers of our country, all supporters of our Government; and this not only on the general grounds just referred to, but on the ground of what it has done, and is doing, to aid the Government.
The Freedmen's Aid Societies, like the Christian and Sanitary Commissions, are important auxiliary forces. In undertaking a part of the charge of the multitudes of negroes, who flock to our advancing armies, they relieve our generals of difficulties which would else retard or embarrass important movements.
The success of our efforts has relation also to questions of political economy, and to important interest of trade, — though we can only, however, glance at this branch of our subject. Whoever reads our last Report will find, that the almost immediate effect of freedom is to increase the wants of the freedmen, and to make them purchasers of articles of manufacture unknown to the slave. In one year there was sold to the negroes at St. Helena Island, West-India and dry goods, iron and wooden ware to the amount of $56,000. The entire amount sold to the Port Royal Islands has been more than $500,000, and, within a week or two, Mr. Philbrick has forwarded two hundred tons of freight for the use of the free negroes on the Sea Islands, to carry on their own planting operations every man of whom was formerly a slave.
Well does the commercial newspaper which publishes this last item use as a heading to the paragraph these words: "A suggestion to business men."
While we do not base our appeal solely or chiefly on such considerations, we may venture to say that there is a great deal in our large enterprise, which touches all great interests, to which a similar caption would not be inappropriate.
In other words, we believe it rests on a solid basis of sober reason and of fact, — and as such we recommend its claims to all good citizens; to practical, as well as to humane and religious persons. — We trust that such will extend to it even a more generous co-operation, than that which has been accorded during the past year.
Report of the Committee on Teachers.
In offering their Third Annual Report, the Teachers' Committee wish to express anew their sense of the great importance of the work they have undertaken, and their confidence in the means at their command to accomplish it. With the rapid advance of our arms, the field of labor is opening constantly wider, and the benevolence and justice of the community are alive to its claims, and ready to meet its demands.
A little more than a year ago it was proposed to organize New England into auxiliary societies, and already twenty eight branches have been formed, have paid their funds into the treasury, and adopted their teachers. Other towns are preparing to do the same. The arrangement works admirably. The relation between the adopted teacher and the branch society is very pleasant; the society receiving from her such accounts of her work as serve to keep alive its zeal, and in turn delighting to supply her wants, to provide
55 The Freedmen's Record
clothing for her people, materials for her sewing-school, or Christmas gifts for her children.
Fifty-four teachers are at present employed, of whom nine are men, and forty-five, women. Forty-three of these have been sent out within the past year. About twenty volunteer teachers were engaged for two months in teaching the Fifth Cavalry Regiment at Readville, whose world was partially reported in the last report published in April. Two teachers were sent to this same regiment after it went to Virginia, but the demands of active service did not make much instruction practicable. A teacher was also sent to the 86th U.S.C.T.
In South Carolina, where we first commenced our labors, we have now twenty-one teachers located: three on St. Helena Island, two at Hilton Head, three at Beaufort, and two at Mitchell, and the remainder destined for the new colony on Edisto Island. Mrs. Croome who was obliged to leave Plymouth in consequence of its evacuation by our forces, opened a school at Clumford's Creek, from which she was driven by incendiaries, who burned the schoolhouse at night and drove her away. One hundred dollars have been subscribed to aid the colored people to rebuild their house, and we hope they will soon be able to secure ample protection both for the schoolhouse and its occupants.
The new schoolhouse at Mitchell was erected by the Branch Society of Northampton, who adopt one of its teachers. It is in successful operation.
Harriet Tubman, whose earnest labors for her race are well known, is employed at a small salary to go among her own people and aid in their practical education.
Messrs. James P. Blake, and James H. Crosby went to South Carolina to seek for themselves a field of usefulness, under General Saxton's directions.
They arrived at South Carolina about the time of the capture of Savannah. Mr. Blake has been actively engaged in distributing supplies to the freedmen who followed Sherman's army, and in the effort to organize schools for their instruction on Edisto Island. We regret to say that Mr Crosby has been prevented by a serious accident from sharing in labors in which his aid would have been so useful. We have appointed Mr. Blake a general superintendent of all our operations at Edisto Island, and have sent able teachers to work under his direction. Although we do not approve of the principle of separating the negroes entirely from the whites, yet, if the Government (a fact, however, which is not yet established) and the colored people themselves wish to try the experiment, we shall do all in our power to give them a fair chance. We are in the daily, we might say hourly, expectation of hearing not only that schools are fairly under way at Edisto Island, but that agents of our society, who are now on the ground, have had the distinction of opening the first school for colored people in Charleston. At Newbern, N. C., we have ten teachers. Under the able superintendence of Captain James, this department is well organized. We have regular monthly returns, from each teacher, giving us the number and average attendance of her scholars, and many other valuable statistics. A long vacation was necessary in the summer months ; and when we wished to re-open the schools, the yellow fever was raging with such violence as forced us to delay yet longer. All but two of the teachers returned however, and were at work by November, none of them suffering from fever. Miss Ellis and Miss Condon, have been added to the number of our teachers there this winter. We have satisfactory accounts of the progress of the pupils. Miss Kimball has been sent to Roanoke Island.
We have fourteen teachers in Norfolk and its vicinity. The work here is under the care of Captain Brown who conducts it in a liberal and acceptable manner. The schools have been, for a few weeks past, disturbed by the establishment of the public schools for whites, which occupy the houses formerly devoted to our use. Temporary accommodations have been provided, and we hope the schools will soon go on as well as before. We should cheerfully bear even greater inconvenience for the sake of so great a benefit as education for the degraded and ignorant whites of Virginia. The Misses Chase and Miss Chace have been engaged in caring for the general wants of the people, distributing clothing, and using all means to elevate and civilize them. Evening and sewing schools are maintained in which all the teachers give their assistance.
While these distant fields claimed our first attention, we have during the past year felt much interest in the state of the freedmen in the National District. Great numbers have drifted in here as the result of military expeditions, and of their own efforts to escape from bondage. In many respects they are worse
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off in this artificial state than near the plantations, where the bare necessaries of life can be more easily procured. Besides, it is wise to repeat our experiment here in the face of the world, where all may read the triumphant refutation of the calumnies so long circulated, and often honestly believed, against the intelligence and capacity of the negro race. We have sent three teachers to the free school at Alexandria, founded by the colored people themselves. Miss Frances E. Perkins has charge of a school on Capitol Hill, Washington, partly supported from the funds raised by taxation of colored people. We provide her with two assistants one of whom is a young colored woman. We propose to build another school-house in Washington, as the need of schools there is very great. Miss Harriet Carter is also employed there in ministering to the wants of the freed people, giving them advice, instruction, and consolation, and in extreme cases clothing and food. She is their friend in sickness and their counsellor in distress, and we have abundant testimony to her usefulness. She also gathers the children into sewing-schools and teaches them the arts of economy and industry. Miss Abby Francis has lately gone as a volunteer teacher to aid in distributing supplies to the suffering freedmen. We have also occasionally furnished books or other articles to teachers who are not acting under our Commission, but are engaged in the same benevolent work ; to Mr. Harris, a colored man who has been laboring very hard to establish a school on a farm near Portsmouth, under the American Missionary Association ; to Chaplain Higginson for the Ninth United-States colored troops; to Chaplain Gregg Seventh United-States colored troops ; and to the Fifth Cavalry Regiment, since their teachers left them.Two of our teachers have died during the year. Miss Barnard was sent by the towns of Deerfield and Greenfield. She went to Newbern; and, although engaged in doing such work as she could while there, had not found a permanent school before she was called home by severe domestic affliction. She was soon after attacked with a fever of which she died. She was a woman of very superior powers, from 'whom we hoped valuable service ; and her premature death was a heavy loss to the freedmen, as well as a sad affliction to her many friends.
Mr. Gordon of Tyngsboro, a young man of great promise, was sent to the Fifth Cavalry Regiment while stationed at Point Lookout. He worked successfully for them until his sudden death, which was a severe blow to all who had known him. His courage and perseverance seemed to fit him admirably for the special work assigned him.
We hope that the success of our arms, and the re-establishment of security and industry, will enable us to extend our operations very much further during the coming year. One of our pleasantest offices has been to aid our Maryland friends in procuring teachers for the people so nobly emancipated by them. We shall never be willing to pause in our labors, until the earliest and dearest institution of New-England, the free school, shall be established throughout the land. Then a true Union will be cemented, and we shall have no need to ask, "What shall be done with the Freedmen?"
For the Teachers' Committee.
Report of Committee on Clothing and Supplies.
Since presenting their last Report, April 1864, the Committee on Clothing and Supplies have received of valuable new and second-hand clothing, 898 cases and barrels, and 164 parcels, not including several hundred new garments, made by a society in Boston, to be forwarded to the Sea Islands.
Forwarded since last report : —To Port Royal, Newborn, Norfolk, Fortress Monroe, Eastville, Va., Washington, Fernandina, Alexandria, and to the West, — in all 407 cases, barrels, and bales, varying in value from $25 to $700.
The Committee are much indebted to Messrs. Wellington & Co., for the continuance of facilities which they have given, for receiving and forwarding these supplies.
The Committee would also return thanks to the ladies of the Industrial Aid Association, for the kind assistance they have tendered in the cutting and making up of garments.
CASH STATEMENT.
Balance on hand March 29, 1864, . . $44.71 Received to March 6, 1865 : —
Appropriations from the
funds of the Society . $7,450.61
Contributions for clothing
from Boston and else?
where 1,414.15
For clothing and materials
sold at Newbern . . . 4,473.72
13,338.38
57 The Freedmen's Record
Paid for clothing, blankets, shoes, materials, &c $10,786.71
Appropriations to agents at Port Royal, for purchase of seeds and other necessaries 1,500.00
Paid for freight of goods to New York and else where 602.14
Packing and shipping expenses, carting, coopering, postage, stationery, &c 181.6718,070.52
Leaving a balance on hand March 6, of $312.57
March 6, 1866.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
N. E. FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY, in account
WITH WILLIAM ENDICOTT, JR., Treasurer.
Dr.
To salaries of teachers $9,678.94
,, clothing 13,987.68
,, school books, &c 915.49
,, school houses 2,476.94
,, aid for freedmen in Washington, D. C 1,821.00
,, office expenses, printing, travelling expenses, agents, and sundries 8,943.64
,, balance cash on hand March 28,1866 12,006.18
$44,828.82
Balance cash . . . . $12,006.13
Due for salaries of teachers not yet drawn,about 5,200.00
Available $6,806.18
Cr.
By balance on hand, April 21, 1864 . $4,619.48
" sundry subscriptions 35,259.10
,, sales of clothing, school books, &c ,at Newbern $4.950.24
$44,828.82
By balance cash on hand . . $12,006.13
E. E.
WILLIAM ENDICOTT, JR.,
Treasurer.Boston, March 28, 1865.
THE files of the Department at Washington show, that, since the war began, forty thousand more whites than blacks have been assisted by the Government.
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE NEW-ENGLAND
FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY, 1864-6.
Thomas C. Ryley, Wigan, England, by Mrs. H. B. Stowe . . $420.00
Miss M. A. Hastings, Framingham, Mass. 100.00
Stephen Salisbury, Worcester 100.00 Est. of Mrs. Martha A. Mitchell, Haverhill 100.00
Martin Brimmer 100.00
'Collection in Northampton 358.00
William S. Bullard 100.00 Maria Weston Chapman, being part of a donation from Thomas and Esther Sturge, of England 500.00
J. P. Williston, Northampton 100.00
John Carter Browne, Providence 100.00
Children's Fair at No. 21, Somerset St 500.00
George W. Wales 100.00
Naylor & Co 160.00
Mrs. R. G. Shaw 100.00
Mrs. Margaret B. Blanchard 100.00
Legacy from Miss Parkman 476.00
Two Friends, by Mrs. W. B. Rogers 500.00
George C. Shattuck 100.00
Henry B. Rogers 200.00
Mrs. Henry Grew 100.00
Miss Marion Hooper 100.00
Sewall, Day, & Co 100.00
Alexander Moseley 100.00
James M. Barnard 100.00
The Misses Newman 100.00
M. Louisa Shaw 100.00
Ellen S. Hooper 100.00
Lydia Maria Child .. . 400.00
W. S. Bullard 100.00
Robert W. Hooper 100.00
H. & L. Chase 100.00
A Friend, H. & C 100.00
Samuel May 100.00
Collection, West Church, Boston 1,684.50
Salome H. Snow 100.00
Sophia J. Snow 100.00
Oliver Ames 100.00
A Friend 460.00
Rev. Dr. Thompson's Soc., Jamaica Plain 101.60
Salem 100.00
A Friend 100.00
Misses R. A. & A. C. Lowell 100.00
Miss Amory 100.00
Miss Anne Wigglesworth 100.00 Wm. Lloyd Garrison, from Trust Fund .. 200.00
Miss Mary Anne Wales 100.00
Mrs. H. B. Rogers 100.00
Miss Eunice Hooper 100.00
Mrs. Mary E. Stearns 100.00
William Endicott, jun.100.00
Proceeds of Music-Hall Jubilee 142.25
Miss Abby Francis 100.00 Miss Bertha Crosfield, Annesley, Aigbruth, Liverpool; and Miss Constance Ryley, Sicklefield, Wigan, Lancashire, by Mrs. H. B. Stowe 75.55
Samuel Johnson 150.00
First Congregational Society in Taunton 150.00
E. Whitney 100.00
Friends in Amesbury and Salisbury, by John G. Whittier 200.00
Mts. George R. Russell 250.00
Mrs. Grew 100.00
J. V. Howe 200.00
Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society 600.00
Capt. Nath. Kimball, Manchester, N. H 100.00
E Street Congregational Church, South Boston, Rev. A. R. Baker 246.00
Proceeds of Town Fair, Leicester 800.00
Rev. F. Frothingham and friends, Brattleboro' 97.00
Sundry subscriptions for clothing 640.23
61 Freedmen's Record
EXTRACTS FROM TEACHERS' LETTERS.
WE swell the dimensions of our paper, in order to give, while it is fresh, interesting information about Charleston and Edisto Island. Those who have contributed in aid of the suffering freedmen, will read also with interest Mrs. Pillsbury's letter from Hilton Head, which tells how their bounty was received : —
SCHOOLS IN CHARLESTON.
MARCH 9, 1865.
DEAR MADAM, — Col. Woodford, commander Port of Charleston, appointed me Superintendent of Public Jurisdiction of this city, and gave me possession of all the School buildings, which were formally opened last Saturday, March 4th. Of course, I received all white, black, and yellow children alike, and, after encountering consider-able opposition, the plan is working well. About three hundred white children are attending school, and over one thousand two hundred colored.
The two largest schools in the city are over-flowing; I am obliged to have separate rooms, and white teachers for the white children, —but all our friends here regard it as a great victory to our cause, to have succeeded in getting the two classes into the same building. It gives us five schools, well furnished and amply supplied with certain classes of books ; but above all, it is a great step toward destroying the prejudice against the colored people. All the colored people are delighted at this arrangement,—or rather they are in ecstasy about it. Mr. Newcombe and Mr. Gilbert Pillsbury, agreed to pay the salaries of the teachers (there are forty-two engaged), and Gen. Saxton authorized me to grant one ration to each teacher.
The teachers are nearly all of Charleston,—about twenty-five colored, the balance white,—but there are only two very efficient : your teacher, Mr. A. T. Morse, and Mr. Newcombe.
I took this position simply to break down prejudice against the loyalists of Charleston : every one of the old citizens predicted an utter failure, — but our Boston system, slightly modified, has succeeded.
Six or eight teachers will come down from Hilton Head next week ; but we need more, especially, of those competent to teach the more advanced classes. We ought to open a third school on Monday ; but we have no one sufficiently talented and competent otherwise to take charge of it as Principal.
Col. Woodford at first offered me the superintendence of the colored schools; but I gave him my reasons for refusing to have any thing to do with separate schools, in a municipality in which colored people had been taxed to build and sup-port buildings into which their children were never admitted. He carefully thought over my statement, and adopted the method I urged on him, and he has acted manfully.
You can be sure of having two thousand pupils here. The adults want to have a class. I think the first night school would have five hundred pupils, "from eighteen to eighty ;" but the school buildings are not lighted with gas, and I want to try to get the educated colored people to run these schools on their own account.
Respectfully yours,
JAMES REDPATH.
Mr. J. P. Blake gives the following account of Edisto Island : —
BEAUFORT, March 9, 1865.
First, in regard to Edisto: William H. Alden goes over to-day with $50, and instructions to take possession of one or two good central locations, which have already been selected for us by Mr. John Alden, Superintendent of the Island, and employ carpenters to put them in suitable condition for ladies to live in. I thought till this noon, that he had been there for some time, but the rainy weather has prevented his going till to-day.
Nevertheless, the delay will not hinder the consummation of my plans, for until teachers arrive, little can be done toward our special work. Miss Botume says she is ready to go whenever I say the word. Mr. Alden and self will make three,—but we ought to have at least eight. Mr. Morse was still at Charleston, on Tuesday, when I went to Hilton Head to gee him, and do some other business. He and his wife seem averse to settling on Edisto till we get more settled there, and perhaps he will be doing quite as much good by working in Charleston, where there are fine opportunities for usefulness. '
I received yesterday a very kind letter from Mr. E. S. Philbrick, of Boston, giving me some judicious and timely advice about health, the climate, &c., and offering to the Boston Society and my personal friends, space in one of his schooners (to sail in April) to the extent of one hundred barrels of articles, necessary for the civilized and comfortable life of the teachers who are going to Edisto.
This extricates me from a great difficulty, and enables me, if assured of your assistance, to promise to those who may come hither a fair hope of comfort and health. Conceive a house utterly stript of every thing like furniture, and you get a picture of our teacher's home until that schooner arrives.
CHARLESTON, 8.C., March 10,1865.
Miss STEVENSON.
ESTEEMED FRIEND, — We are here at last ; yes, in Charleston. Gen. Saxton ordered me here, and I have been in this Sodom little more
62 Freedmen's Record
than one week. It is really a city of ruins, both material and mental. There are everywhere so many awful impresses of Almighty wrath, cans-iv such profound and solemn musings, that one is almost unfitted for duty. Fire, shot, and shell have made such havoc, that it would seem these "waste places" could never be restored. This was a magnificent city. The public buildings, in particular, were on a magnificent scale. The citadel, an enormous pile, devoted to military use ; the guard-house, the orphan asylum, the medical college, the Roper hospital, and other buildings of like character, are all extensive and costly. Then the public schools are quite up to the standard of any northern city.
At least four extensive buildings, with all the modern fixtures, are here, though riddled with shot and lacerated by shells. Charleston had the facilities for a better civilization than it knew, or practised. I am surprised at all these strange and costly adjuncts to the " peculiar institution." I wish you could be here, to wonder and admire and hate.
Almost one of the first acts of our Lieut. Col. Woodford, commanding port, was to appoint the dauntless Redpath, Superintendent of public instruction, making over to him all the school buildings and property.
In one week, we have gathered at least, one thousand five hundred children into the schools, including some three hundred white, though of the poor class. The aristocrats cannot yet stoop to this phase of democracy, and propose to institute private schools, although they possess scarcely a dollar, —.and have to resort to the same public crib with all the rest, for their daily allowance of rice and hominy. I have promised Mr. Redpath, that my wife, daughter, and the Misses Breck and Lillie, shall come here to teach in this new and vast field. Also, Mr. Morse and lady are to labor here.
By the way, we find Mr. Morse a superior man, modest, but firm and energetic; and he has been appointed to the important trust of superintending one of the large schools, with probably eight hundred children. His salary is inadequate; and I know you will see to it, that he does not suffer from this unpleasant source.
If Misses Breck and Lillie come here, I hope you will be able to fill their places at Mitchell. This place is so important, and there is such a lack of competent teachers, that I have assumed, perhaps, more than you might wish to approve. If so, please correct. Gen. Saxton, of course, retains the power and position to educate the freedmen; but by the appointment of Mr. Redpath, to superintend the educational interests of the city, we get all the advantages of the public buildings for the colored population.
I expect Mr. Blake here daily, with a large lot of clothing. It is needed, and will contribute vastly to alleviate the awful condition of this poor people. Hundreds are at my office every day for clothing ; but it is not here yet. My heart and hands are full, and I am anxious to do more than is possible. I could write to any extent, but must stop.
My sincere regards to yourself and your co laborers. Very respectfully,
G. PILLSBURY,
General Superintendent.
Hilton Head, S. C., March 7, 1865.
Mr Dear Miss Stevenson,
It seems to me that a letter is now due the generous donors of those noble gifts which have been distributed during the past week: a letter picturing some of the scenes to make these Northern hearts glad, who have so beneficently striven to convince this people, that somebody cares for them yet, and that they are not entirely cast out.
On, Monday Feb. 27, the most of our share of the cases and bales were deposited in the government store-room, beneath the chambers occupied by our family. If these cases had been filled with pearls from India, they would not have been so precious; for I knew that the priceless love of God's poor, the holiest sympathies with crushed and degraded humanity, and those most sacred of all things,—tears for others' woes, were folded among those garments and stores. Mr. P. was absent in Charleston, but box after box was brought up stairs (for safety) and opened till a perfect knowledge of their contents was obtained, Beds, chairs, piano, and floor, were piled in the most charming confusion. As a Yankee house. keeper my identity was entirely lost. Order flew out of the doors and windows while sweet " Charity" came in. On Tuesday (a rainy day), I drew on rubber boots and waded through the mire to the church to take a list of names and articles wanted;-found John Heywood (master's name) all patches and rags, sitting out doors by a little fire of green wood; entered the small end-room of the building,—floor covered with straw, on which were lying and sitting women and children of all ages; scarcely one had a blanket or fragment of one; with two or three exceptions had no clothes except what they wore, so that cleanliness was next to impossible; although some had taken off under-garments, washed them and showed such a desire for wholesome clothing as commends them to still stronger sympathies. Had a blank book in which I wrote names and articles most needed for each, so that these gifts might do the most possible good, and that the bundles might be made up with justice to all.
Questions and answers ran thus: "Have you a blanket?"—"No my dear missus; no blanket!
63 Freedmen's Record
De Yankee soldiers take ebry ting; blanket, dress, pot, ebry ting; not ting leff, missus; jess what got on."-"Yes," I said, "you need some clothes to change, so as to wash these and be clean." —" Yes, missus, we loves to be clean, but I wear dis close eber since come from de robs; five week, missus." —" Well," I said, "your underclothes are cut out; if I give you thread, needles and thimbles, can you sew and make a shirt, &c.?"—"Yes, missus, I sew; I know; ebry one sew; do, missus; beg you give we sometings." Mary, a middle-aged woman with a bad cough, and other diseases, which had become almost chronic, arose from her ragged covering and straw on the floor, with a face beautiful from suffering and resignation, simply standing, without asking for any thing.
If I could have led Mary before you in Boston, as she looked then, your hearts would have ached for many a day. I promised her clothing and medicine, told she would get well, and I would not forget her. Turned about and there stood another John Heywood, crippled in both knees, and his wife with one wooden leg and two children. One mother asked me for an orange for her little sick boy, who has since died. Heaven forgive me! for I was so weary amidst it all, I could not go on the street to buy it. My own Jennie was sick in bed, with measles, and every man of our household was absent.
I passed into the larger room; no one North would believe that our land held such scenes within her borders. Three young men, sick, lay on the floor with nothing but a filthy blanket. No straw, no pillow! One emaciated form had neither coat or blanket,—had been struggling with life for 6 or 7 weeks, till now his voice had no strength to make replies. A half loaf of dry bread, and a little boiled rice in a tin can was waiting on the floor by each head.
One begged me with beseeching eyes and voice to take him home with me. "Do take me with you, missus, where you can take care of me." I replied, "I have no place for you, my poor boy; I wish I had." —" Any place will do for me; " said he, and thus I left them, trying to settle the account with myself, how much of their " blood lay in my skirts." Two of them have been carried away in their pine coffins since. (Will speak of the other in my next letter.)
Thursday. Had sent for Misses Breck and Lillie to come and cut out shirts, underclothes, and dresses, while Miss Hill, who had previously been sent for, came from "Lawton plantation," ten miles away. She, with Mrs. Morse and my-self, made up packages for that plantation and the church, besides answering various applicants at the doors.
These pilgrims have gone by fifties and hundreds to the plantations, to labor for the season, with the promise of being remembered, and having clothing sent to them. At evening the large wagon was well filled with bundles, with separate names attached.
Friday. Attended to cutting again, and up to this time, we have all cut upwards of a hundred garments, including jean dresses for the old and infirm, giving each thread and needles. I cut holes in men's shoes, and fitted numerous feet. Some man said they wore No. 2, No. 8, or No. 4, but I found that 11's and 12'8 fitted best.
Gave out last pair of women's bootees to spare. None were sent, except a box to me from Dorchester. Most of them say their masters have never furnished them a pair of shoes, since the war. Men and women both come in with shoes made by themselves of cloth or skins. Speaking of skins, a mother brought in her infant of ten months, clad in a deer skin sack (fur on) and the sleeves were sewed together of many pieces.
Went to church to look after the sick; saw a tall black man, newly arrived, with fine Roman features; he was shivering in rags; said his name was "Oliver." "What is your other name?" I said. " Why, ma'am, I never had any other name." Yet he was seventy years, of splendid figure using excellent language, and would command respect from any human observer. Told Oliver if he would wash the "yellow boy" in warm water, and dress him in a clean suit, I would give him (Oliver) a new suit. He did so, came to our house, and dressed himself below. He could not sufficiently express his thankfulness. "Why, my dear missus, thank God, I never expected to see such white ladies on this earth! I pray we shall meet in heaven. God bless you! This is the first time, my missus, I ever put on stockings in my life! If the master (Mr. Pillsbury) comes home, I will fall on my knees and beg him to stay here, for I like to have good owners." Has a hard cough,—kept him three days with me. I was not surprised that he never expected to find humane "white ladies," when he related, in the course of his history, how his mistress had bound his arms around the "whipping tree" with her own womanly chivalric hands, and then stood by to superintend the bloody lash!
Saturday. Resolved to rest a little; but before breakfast our backyard was filled with twenty women and children; one woman in stocking-feet, with one arm; all ragged and penniless. Distributed till afternoon; asked the question again, why did you not bring your clothes? " Yankee knock we." " Why, no," I replied, "they did not knock you." "Yes," they all said, "if we take one ting, dey tear up." " Well, I do not understand why they should do this." One young man explained that this was done, because the rebs frequently concealed valuables with the
64 Freedmen's Record
negroes, and because their bundles delayed them on the way.
One lone solitary old woman, very destitute, and leaning on a rough staff, had waited three hours for attention. " I got nottin 'tall, missus; I shame go Iron de street. Can't wash do' es —got twain." Thinking what I should do if she were my mother, gave her a jean dress and skirt, and changed her dress throughout; put on her a stuffed sack, made of a gentleman's dressing-gown, shoes, . stockings, sun-bonnet; gave her some tobacco and a little money, talked cheerfully, made her laugh heartily, lifted her bundle to her head, and bade her a loving " Good Night." Thus I have given you a description of our days' works, that, although so far away, you may enjoy the pleasure of giving. I only ask that these pages may not be perused with too severe a criticism. This labor in Christ's vineyard, requires despatch and assiduity; that is my only apology.
Yours, most truly,
A. F. Pillsbury.
A MODEL PROCLAMATION.
Admiral Dahlgren in taking possession of the district of Georgetown, S. C., on the 26 ult., issued the following proclamation; in the first section of which he went further in the right direction than any other officer ever has.The number of slaves in the district, is about 20,000,—and of white population about 3,000. It is the richest rice-growing section in the Union, and was of great value to the rebels.
The order of Admiral Dahlgren is as follows :
" 1. Conformably to the laws of the United States, slavery no longer exists within the limits of the Union. Persons residing here, who thus become freedmen, will in future enjoy the fruits of their own labor; but as a reasonable provision for their inability to immediately provide for themselves, their former owners will furnish each one of them with sixty days' food of the usual descriptions. Freedmen can join the colonists on the Sea Island, or may enlist in the military service of the United States.
2. Those inhabitants who have remained in the place, and are not excluded from the benefits of President Lincoln's amnesty, are invited to return to their pursuits as peaceful citizens.
3. Martial law exists in Georgetown, but the city authorities will discharge so much of their functions as may be required of them.
4. Such laws of the place as are in harmony with the laws of the Union will remain in force.
5. The civil authorities will cause the churches to be opened as usual, but no clergyman will be allowed to omit the customary prayers for the President of the United States.
6. They will furnish a list of all inhabitants destitute of food, and also of all who may be able to contribute for the relief of the needy, that they may be assessed accordingly.
7. The sale or gift of spiritous liquors is strictly forbidden.
8. The inhabitants will remember that their own authorities have placed them under the protection of the United States. They will therefore be careful to avoid all participation with the enemies of the United States, and will be punished severely for offences of this kind.
9. The commanding marine officer present will act as provost marshal."
A GOOD STORY.
It is well known how much of the success of the Port Royal experiment has been due to General Saxton's position; and it is not strange that the freedmen rank him next to "Abe Lincoln" in their gallery of great men. A good story showing the estimation in which they hold General Saxton, as given to us, runs thus : —
At a school examination in Beaufort, General Saxton happened to be in the room, and the teacher desiring her children to acknowledges his presence, preceded the exercise in the catechism with the question, —
"Who is the Commander of the Post, children?"
"Gen'ral Saxby!" all the young ones shouted.
"Who is the best friend of the colored people in Beaufort?"
"Gen'ral Saxby!"— still louder, — the enthusiasm rising.
Then taking up the Bible questions, she continued, —"Now tell me who was the first man?"
"Gen'ral Saxby!" they lustily chorused again.
"No! think! think!"— There was silence for a moment, —save on the part of the guests — till a bright-eyed little chap remembered that "Adam" had a better claim to that honor, and as his opinion was at once confirmed by all the school, the teacher thought she was safe in continuing
"Who made you? "
Gen'ral Saxby!" however was again the unanimous decision.We can only hope that the little heathens have been since converted . . .
65 Freedmen's Record
LIST OF TEACHERS NOW
IN SERVICE |
|||
SOUTH CAROLINA
|
|||
| Names of Teachers. Arthur Sumner |
Place. St. Helena Island |
Home. Cambridge, Mass. |
Adopted by. Roxbury |
NORTH CAROLINA
|
|||
| Sarah M. Pearson |
Newbern "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" Roanoke Island |
Boston |
West Newton |
| WASHINGTON, DC
|
|||
| Frances W. Perkins Harriet Carter Emma V. Brown Mary L. Wilson Abby Francis |
Washington, DC "" "" "" "" |
Middlefield, Ct. Cambridge, Mass Georgetown, D.C Haverhill Cambridge, Mass. |
West Roxbury
|
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
|
|||
| S. Virginia Lawton J. Stuart Banfield Mariana Lawton |
Alexandria, Va "" "" |
Cambridge Mass Dover, N.H Brookline. Cambridge, Mass |
Dorchester Brookline :Leicester |
NORFOLK, VA
|
|||
Lucy Chase |
Norfolk, Va. "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" |
Worcester, Mass |
Roxbury |
EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA
|
|||
| Sarah G. Brown Mary Lane |
Eastville "" |
Eastville "" |
Barre Chelsea |
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