Monday, February 27, 2012

Amanuensis Monday
Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contract Rules

As the Civil War ended in 1865, Congress created the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Land, popularly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, to help former slaves make the transition to freedom. The Freedmen's Bureau helped negotiate labor contracts and generally tried to protect them from former masters. Below are the following rules between former master and former slaves in Mississippi.

1. The laborer will be required to rise at the blowing of the horn at day-break, and begin work at or before sunrise, and do good and faithful work. The beginning and leaving of work, and the mode and manner of doing work, will be entirely under the control of the employer or manger. For all time lost and for bad work deductions will be made; and in cases where entire days are lost from sickness, or other good cause, deductions covering wages and value of rations will be made. Two hours rest at noon will be allowed in the months of June, July and August, and one hour in other months of the year.

2. During work hours the laborers will receive no visits, nor visit or receive visits at any other time without permission of employer or manager.

3. All abuse and improper use of stock, and negligently breaking or losing tools, gear, &c., will be charged against the laborer.

4. Every laborer must feed and attend to the stock assigned to him or her at all times, Sundays included.

5. No fire arms or liquor will be kept on the plantation by the laborers except by consent of the employer or manager.

6. Difficulties that may arise between the laborers shall be adjusted by the employer or manager.

7. For impudent, profane or indecent language to or in the presence of employer, manager or the families, quarreling, fighting, stealing, disobedience, willful neglect of duty, quitting work without permission and offenses of the like serious character, the laborer will be carried before a Magistrate or other proper officer, for punishment all expense, loss of time, &c., will be charged against the laborer. In all cases of dismissal or voluntarily quitting plantations, the laborer forfeits all unpaid wages, and his family or dependents will be dismissed at the discretion of the manager.


There is just enough rope in these rules for the former slave to hang himself. A man and his family could work for months and be dismissed without pay.
Source: Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Microfilm Number: 2022
Microfilm found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Law Creating the Freedmen Bureau - Act of March 3, 1865

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wordless Wednesday - Qualls/Quarles Ladies

The photo was taken somewhere in Lincoln County, MS, during the early 1950s. Written on the back of the photo, child Phyllis Quarles, seated Ella Jones, Rubinetta Quarles, Beatrice Quarles, and Alberta White.
Photograph courtesy of James E Scott

Found an obituary for Beatrice Qualls (1911-2011). Per the obituary she is grandmother to the child Phyllis.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Do You Know My Name

I've been identified!


From time to time, I will post a photograph of unknown individuals hoping someone will see their faces and remember their names. This man may be from Franklin County, Mississippi, or a neighboring county. The photo was carried in a pouch with other photos by the late Willie Scott. Written on the back of the photo is A Herring.

The Herring family of Franklin County, Mississippi, married into my maternal family.

According to Allen & Helen Herring, this is a picture of their brother Alton Herring [b. abt. 1914], son of Hurley Herring and his 1st wife Estella Jones. Allen & Helen are half-siblings by Hurley's 2nd wife, Arie Crockett.
Identified Feb 24 2012.
Thank you, Cheri Herring.
Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

His Banner Over Me Was Love


I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor wake my love, til he please.

Song of Solomon 2:1-7
The photograph is of Cousin Allie Mae and her husband John Henry Moncrief. The marriage survived many decades until his death in 1980.

Photograph courtesy of Allie Mae Markham Moncrief

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mary, Mary

Mary Markham
Daughter of James and Anna Markham
My 1st cousin once removed

The name Mary was ranked the number one name for infant girls born between 1900-1959 and it was popular in the 1800s. The Hebrew meaning of the name is rebellion. The full name Mary Markham is common on my tree. When the name Mary Markham comes up in conversation, we refer to them as Monroe's Mary or James' daughter. We distinguish them by their husband or father.

Born with the Name
Mary Ann Markham born 1850 - Daughter of James and Marilda Whitney Markham
Mary Viola Markham born 1868- Daughter of James and Jane McCray Markham
Mary I Markham born 1871 - Daughter of Alexander and Sally Smiley Markham
Mary Markham born 1882 - Daughter of Melvin Wooley and Alice Markham
Mary Jane Markham born 1884 - Daughter of Monroe and Mary Byrd Markham
Mary Markham born 1900 - Daughter of James and Anna Culver Markham
Mary Markham b about 1950 - Daughter of Samuel David Markham, Jr

Mary Jane Byrd Markham
1855-1937
My Great Grandmother

Married Name
Mary Jane Byrd born 1855 - Wife of Monroe Markham
Mary Lyons born 1868 - Wife of Grant Markham
Mary Howard born 1870 - Wife of William Markham
Mary L Thompson born 1901 - Wife of Samuel Markham
Mary White born about 1920 - Wife of Willie Markham
Mary Jacobs born 1922 - Wife of Robert Winfield Markham, Sr

Photographs courtesy of Allie Mae Markham Moncrief and the late Jessie Mae Markham.
Yeah Baby

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday Mrs Lizzie Green

Mrs Lizzie Green
Born May 7 1883
D. April 1 1931
Gone to Rest
Zion Chapel AME Church Cemetery
Caseyville, MS

Daughter of Claiborne and Caroline Allen Scott
Wife of Johnnie Green

Wednesday, February 1, 2012