| Location | Baltimore, Maryland; Prince Frederick, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Names Mentioned | Somerset Parrin, Nathaniel Dair, L. Buckmarsh |
| Date | December 20, 1864 |
| Document Title | Black Military Laborer to the Superintendent of the Middle Department Freedman's Bureau |
| Document Description | John Diggs to Lt. Col. W. E. W. Ross, 20 Dec. 1864, D-320 1864, Letters Received, ser. 2343 , Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 1 (C-4134). John Diggs, who was employed by the Commissary department in Alexandria, VA describes how his family in Prince Frederick, Calvert County were targeted for illegal apprenticeships following Marylandâs ratification of emancipation. Despite being able to support his family independently, he describes facing violence and being chased out of the Court House by Calvert Countyâs constable when trying to retrieve his wife and five children. He wrote to the Superintendent of the Freedman Bureauâs Middle Department requesting assistance. (From The Wartime Genesis of Free Labor, p. 533.) |
| Transcription | Baltimore [Md.] Decem 20th 1864 Sir. I am an employee of the Commissary Department at Alexandria Va under Capt Brown or Lee; I have a wife and five children who lived with Somerset Parrin Prince Frederick Calvert Co. C.H. Md who, upon the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation turned my wife and children out of doors, I rented a house from Henry Hutchins of the same County where my family resided untill last Thursday (15th inst), when Lum. Buckmarsh a Constable of the County went to the house my family occupied and by force carried them to the County Court, I was on my way to the house after my family had been taken away, when I was met by the said Buckmarsh who summoned me (verbally) to appear before the Court on Thursday, on being questioned by Nathaniel Dair P.M in the Court House as to whether I was able to support my family and whether I intended going into the employ of the Government again? to which I answered yes, immediately upon answering, I was struck and cut at by the Constable L. Buckmarsh and pursued some distance from the building, I was afraid to make any further attempt to procure my family and returned to Washington. My family were sent to Jail, where I suppose they are now. I am able to support them, and would wish to have them under my charge, please have this done for me. Very Respectfully his John X Diggs mark |
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[Author (if known)], Documents from the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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