Freedmen's Bureau Records: Peter Hanger, Jr. to
Thomas P. Jackson, September 18, 1867
Summary:
Hanger recounts his experience with Harriet Lee, an employee of his. He claims
she ran off leaving one of her daughters behind and being in debt to Hanger.
Hanger also notes that she wanted much higher wages than he was willing to pay,
considering that he also provided for her three children.
Thomas P. Jackson Esq
September 18th 67
Waynesboro
Dear Sir
Your note of the 16th inst. I didn't receive until this morning, in reply to as
for anything coming to Harriet Lee, she has gone off or run off in my Debt some $3.90= When I say Run
off
she left in the night with 2
Two of her children & left one at my house of no service to me, I found
out where she had gone & sent her child to her, which
[page 2]
she
didn't like as she wished to get clear of the Trouble of attending to this Girl
- she is some 15 years old. But foolish & hard to manage. My wife
attended to this Girl & made her clothes etc as long as she was at my home. H. Lee had no trouble with
her. I keeped all three of her children & clothed the older Girl
& gave her $2 per month. Since Xmas- before
that time I have been giving her $3.00 per month & informed her at the
time if she could do better to go & do so
[page 3]
as her children
were all of expence & no service to me. She
had no objection & left for [illeg.] But she wished high wages,
she wanted $5.00 with her children as high as women who had no incumbrances Those who persuaded her [unclear: oft]
also got her to come to you. You can ask Mr. H. Risk about me or any person who
ever heard of me or any colored & white man about Waynesboro who know me
from childhood if I ever did or had the means of not paying my debts. Never had
a law sent in my life with any [illeg.].
Yours Respectfully
P Hanger Jr
