Following the American Civil War, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands also known as the Freedman's Bureau was created in 1865. The former enslaved people without money and few personal possessions signed labor agreements. Labor contracts were established with former enslaved people in order to provide food, clothing and housing. In a prior post "Climbing the Brick Wall", records of the Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Louisiana 1865-1872 I found the following the following labor contract. The people in this labor contract in agreement with Wiley G. Collins was signed in Washington Parish, Louisiana in September 18, 1865 . Wiley G. Collins signed other labor contracts. Some of the individuals listed are relatives of Eli Brumfield from the census and records presented in previous blog posts. The labor contract does not mention the surname Brumfield. There are two records of the labor contract agreement. The first is the actual contract which was on a previous blog post. It is listed again because of additional information.
 Charlotte 48 years old (infirm) was the probable wife of Isham Brumfield. Charlotte's grandchildren are identified as Keziah (Kizzie) 4, Charlotte (Lottie) 8 and Wade 10 years old. She is not enumerated in the 1870 census with Isham Brumfield and children because being infirm or sick probably died. Sarah (Sally) 23 years old is named on the labor contract. Sarah (Sally) has been identified as the wife of Eli Brumfield. Sally and Eli had two daughters Charlotte (Lottie) 8 and Keziah (Kizzie) 4 which are enumerated in federal census records as their children and are the grandchildren of Charlotte from this labor contact. Harriet 28 years old was the probable wife of Gale(Gayle) Brumfield. I have not given information concerning Gale Brumfield's family at this time but will be featured in future blogs. The most valuable piece of information is the notation at the bottom of the page "the whole of the above are one family". There are major discrepancies in the documentation information with other records correlated with these families. The ages of the individuals doesn't correspond with subsequent information in later federal census enumerations and school records. There is also a book ledger Records of the field offices of the state of Louisiana, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1863-1872.   In the ledger, there are additional pieces of information not present on the labor contract. There are individuals who might be related to a black Brumfield families namely Hester 25, Thomas 25 and Irvin 14. There are children described as orphans Mary 8, Ophelia 4 and Sam 2. Specific information about Minerva Arg?? 30 portion of corn agreement with husband $3 pr month to stay as before rations + clothes + came on place Aug 15 having been away for 2 years. There are other also people I have not identified them with the Brumfield surname. I have included other labor contracts that are associated with names entered in the ledger. More to come.   -----The Tree Gardener |
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