Bureau R.F.&A.L. Goldsboro May 18 /67
Edwards Marcellus J., Wilson N.C.
Sir
Complaint has been made at this office that the boy Freeman and the girls Amanda & Bethany now living with you were illegally bound to you You will please forward a statement of the case to this office on or before the 23rd inst and show cause if any exist why the indentures should not be cancelled.
I am Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servt
A. Compton, Major 40th U.S.I., Sub Asst Com
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In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Marcellus Edwards, 42; his children Emma, 16, Sallie, 14, Mary, 13, William, 10, Julia, 9, Marcellus, 6, Joseph, 2, and James, 1; Virginia Edwards, 25; plus Freeman, 18, Amand, 16, and Bethena Edwards, 12, all farmer’s apprentices.
North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872, Goldsboro (subassistant commissioner), Roll 15, Letters sent, vols. 1-2, February 1867-February 1868, http://www.familysearch.org.
What a wonderful find. ?oops forgot or oh my papers did say yet to be released?
–so from post of 1867, and then later in the 1870 – still there – where by bond or their choice?
Presumably, Edwards satisfactorily proved his claim to their labor, and they remained with him until 21.