Freedmen's Bureau Records: Abner Harrison to Thomas
P. Jackson, July 19, 1867
Summary:
Although now residing in Tennessee, Harrison writes to Jackson to find out
whether or not Jackson has the power to pursue a case in which Harrison was not
able to collect payment for some land he sold near Middlebrook before the war,
because he refused to accept Confederate money. His letter details the
circumstances of the matter, and asks for help, or at the very least, advice,
from Jackson.
July the 19th 1867
Rheatown Greene County East Tennessee
Mr. Thomas P Jackson
I saw through the Rockingham register that you was the
p[added: r]esident of the board of registration
for Augusta County. I wish to know if I can not get assistance through the military power
to collect a honest debt
which is due me in Augusta County - I will explain the nature of the case as near as I can the money is due me for land sold
in fifty nine to Michael Carwell near Middlebrook I left my bonds in the pay of William
McChesney for to collect for me in the fall of sixty two
I wrote to McChesney to collect a payment which was due me at that time and send me a check for
the money he sent me a check for the money dated October the 23 1862 on the traders bank at Richmond when
the check came to hand I tried to sell the check for state money which would of
answered my purpose at that time but was not able to sell
it for any thing but Confederate money and was advised
not to go to Richmond to collect my money that if I went
there and refused to take Confederate money I would be
put in prison I have saw some of General
Schofield's orders published in the papers which I thought would reach my case order number
thirty-one [unclear: sars] for the purpose of
[page 2]
of giving
adequate protection to a person in their rights of person and property in case
where civil authorities m[added: a]y fail I have not tried the civil laws of
Virginia to make my money but from the best information that I have
had from there it will [added: be] a difficult matter to get justice in my case I had a
letter written to General
Schofield to know if he would
not take my case in hand but have not received any answer
from him I do not know whether you have the power to act in my case or not but thought you could inform me
whether it would be the duty of the General to take my
case in hand or not if your business should call you to the town of Middlebrook you can find out all about my general character up to the time I left that portion of the county the check with lawful interest
up to this time wich would [deleted: would] be nothing more than justice to me would amount to abo[added: u]t $12.00 I have
written all I believe that is necessary at this time if you think my case comes under your notice
I will try to come Virginia my self and state the case to you in person if you
will be so kind as to answer my letter you will [unclear:
oblige
] a loyal citizen of Tennesee and one that has been reduced to poverty by the war
Abner Harrison
