Enos Harrell Papers

1815-1866
Manuscript Collection #46
Portions of this collection are digitized (1 item)
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Creator(s)
Harrell, Enos
Physical description
0.121 Cubic Feet, 8 items, consisting of a letter, promissory note, and receipts.
Preferred Citation
Enos Harrell Papers (#46), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
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No restrictions

Papers (1815-1866) including a promissory note, receipts, and a letter from the Freedman's Bureau relating to the payment of wages to Sophia Dunford, a freedwoman. 8 items.

Biographical/historical information

A freedwoman (or freedman) is a former slave who has been released from their bonds, typically through legal action. In the United States, this term is used to refer to former enslaved individuals who were emancipated both during and following the American Civil War. The freedmen and women were aided by the Freedmen's Bureau, a provision from the U.S. government to provide supplies for freedmen and their families. This provision was an important factor in the work of Reconstruction in the South and was charged with, among other things, the settlement of disputes between former white enslavers and freed Black men and women.

Scope and arrangement

The most significant item in the collection is a letter from the Headquarters, Freedmen's Bureau, Subdivision of Tarboro, and Rocky Mount, N.C., sent to Enos Harrell and dated January 14, 1866 The letter charges that the enslaver Harrell failed to pay proper wages to Sophia Dunford, a freed Black woman formerly enslaved by Harrell. The Freedmen's Bureau, an important factor in the work of Reconstruction in the South, was charged with, among other things, the settlement of disputes between former white enslavers and freed Black men and women.

Also included, in addition to receipts (1815-1847), is a promissory note which reflects the hiring of Sophia Dunford in 1855. The note was payable to Luinda Dunfred.

Administrative information
Custodial History

March 13, 1968, 8 items; Papers, consisting of a letter, promissory note, and receipts. Given to J. Y. Joyner Library by Mr. Alexander B. Andrews, Raleigh, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mr. Alexander B. Andrews

Processing information

Processed by D. Lennon, May 1968

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Descriptions updated by Jennifer Overstreet, July 2020

Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Harrell, Enos
Corporate Names
United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands
Topical
Freed persons--North Carolina--Edgecombe County
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)--North Carolina--Edgecombe County
Slave labor--North Carolina--Edgecombe County
Places
North Carolina--Race relations