Ira Ayer, Jr. and the Freedmen's Bureau
1866-1868
Summary
Below is an index of the documents collected. Ones where the document name is in red have not been transcribed yet. Ones where there is no link for source have not been scanned yet.
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, also know as the Freedmen's Bureau, was created in 1865 as part of the War Department to aid the newly freed slaves and refugees with food, clothing, education, work, health and justice. I'm not sure what Ira did between the time he reenlisted in May of 1865 and February of 1866, but from that time on until he resigned in the end of 1868 he was part of the Freedmen's Bureau. For the first few months he was stationed in Augusta and Albany, Georgia. The rest of the time he was in Ashland, Virginia. Below are documents, mostly from National Archives publications M798, M1903 and M1913. There are also some (the Outrages) from M1048 and were transcribed by FreedmensBureau.com.Terms:
- A. S. A. Comm or A. S. A. C.: Acting Sub-Assistant Commissioner
- Bu. R. F. & A. L.: Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
- Endorsement: When a request or a question was received by a district office a summary of the response went into a book of "Endorsements"
- Letter Summary: For each office, when a letter was received a summary of it went into a "Register of Letters Received"; quoting a letter summary usually means I was not able to find or read the original letter.
- Military Commissioner: Ira was the Military Commissioner first for Hanover, County, VA and later for both Hanover and King William Counties. He was essentially the local leader in an occupied country. These positions lasted until new leaders could be freely elected by both the white and black male populations.
- Press Copy: Before copy machines and before carbon paper, copies were made by taking a thin, damp piece of paper and pressing it onto a newly written document. This bled a small amount of ink from the original to the "Press Copy". These documents are notoriously hard to read.
- Sub-Assistant Commissioner or Subassistant Commissioner: Commander of a sub-district, each state had several sub-districts
Item |
Date |
Type |
Description |
Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| m0798r11v1-660305 Transcription Source | 5-Mar-66 | Letter Summary | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Augusta, GA | Ira requests permission to deal with his sister-in-law's son Eddie Pollard |
| m0798r8v20-118 Transcription Source | 5-Mar-66 | Endorsement | From: Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Augusta, GA | Approved Ira's request to settle case of Ira's sister-in-law Annie James Pollard's son Eddie who was at his aunt's house in Macon. |
| m1903r46v150-660305-1 Transcription Source | 5-Mar-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Augusta, GA To: L. Matthews, Washington Co., GA | Letter reprimanding Agent Matthews for not defending the rights of freedpeople. He said the former slave "is a free man, and those seek to render his condition otherwise must be make to feel the power of the Government to protect them in their freedom." |
| m1903r46v150-660305-2 Transcription Source | 5-Mar-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Augusta, GA To: Mr. C. Jones, Crawfordsville, GA | Ira instructs Jones to transport a family from Crawfordsville to Augusta and he should ensure their safety at all costs. |
| m1903r46v150-660307 Transcription Source | 7-Mar-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Augusta, GA To: Mr. William Whigham, Jefferson Co., GA | Ira says that even though all freedpeople should enter into contracts based on their ability to work, under certain cases, exceptions should be made. |
| m0798r2v12-151 Transcription Source | 20-Mar-66 | Telegram, Press Copy | From: W. W. Deane, Augusta, GA To: Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, Savannah, GA | Deane says based on an opening he would take Ira unless Tillson was against it. |
| m0798r11v1-660313 Transcription Source | 31-Mar-66 | Letter Summary | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Ira requests transportation for Peter (freedman) to hospital in Macon |
| m0798r2v12-289 Transcription Source | 3-Apr-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Geo. H. Pratt, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Transportation for a freedman |
| m0798r8v20-155 Transcription Source | 3-Apr-66 | Endorsement | From: W. W. Deane, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Approved Ira's request to transport Peter (freedman) to Macon to be admitted to the hospital. |
| m0798r2v12-303 Transcription Source | 4-Apr-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: W. W. Deane, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Reply saying that Ira should hold Fred who is accused of horse stealing |
| m0798r8v20-168 Transcription Source | 15-Apr-66 | Endorsement | From: W. W. Deane, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Approved Rev. W. H. Roberts request to use former Confederate owned buildings for a church and school house for freedpeople. |
| m0798r8v20-178 Transcription Source | 20-Apr-66 | Endorsement | From: W. W. Deane, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Endorsement for a case of L. H. Peacock vs. Peter Martin (freedman). I'm not sure what the case was or the result. |
| m1903r1v62-390 Transcription Source | 22-Apr-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: C. F. Matson To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Sending clothing |
| m0798r8v20-186 Transcription Source | 25-Apr-66 | Endorsement | From: W. W. Deane, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | In a dispute over a contract, it was determined that freedwoman Amelia Hill be returned to her husband David. |
| m0798r11v1-660507 Transcription Source | 7-May-66 | Letter Summary | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Ira confiscates land for a church and school for freedmen. |
| m1903r34v234-65 Transcription Source | 8-Jun-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: F. A. H. Gabel To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Several freed people came to Gabel to complain of being mistreated. |
| m0798r8v20-234 Transcription Source | 12-Jun-66 | Endorsement | From: Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, Augusta, GA To: Maj. Gen. Howard | Forward of request by Mrs. Jane F. James to have Ira transferred to Richmond. |
| m0798r3v13-212 Transcription Source | 22-Jun-66 | Letter, Press Copy | From: ?, Augusta, GA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Albany, GA | Order admitting Eliza (freedwoman) to the hospital in Macon with transportation from Albany. |
| m0798r8v20-270 Transcription Source | 16-Jul-66 | Endorsement | From: Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, Augusta, GA To: Lt. Geo Wagner | The buildings transferred to Rev. W. H. Roberts are to be returned. Ira exceeded his authority in issuing the transfer order. |
| m1913r166-660731 Transcription Source | 31-Jul-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. J. A. McDonnell, Richmond, VA | Monthly report including report on schools |
| m1913r166-660810 Transcription Source | 10-Aug-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Could use 50 suits of men's clothing and 50 suits of boys clothing |
| m1913r166-660906 Transcription Source | 6-Sep-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Not supplying rations to freedmen who are not from the county |
| m1913r164v404-187 Transcription Source | 29-Sep-66 | Letter Summary | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Ira reports that a colored man who sold his land for which he was not paid, another requires transportation to the hospital and a gun was removed from the home of a colored woman by a private citizen at the request of the magistrate because VA law does to allow blacks to own weapons. Ira requests information on whether blacks are allowed to own guns. |
| m1913r166-660930 Transcription Source | 30-Sep-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. J. A. McDonnell, Richmond, VA | Monthly report |
| m1913r166-661124 Transcription Source | 24-Nov-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Estimates that they will need 2170 rations for December 1866 for destitute refugees and freedmen |
| m1913r166-661208 Transcription Source | 8-Dec-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Unable to secure the release of insane freedman |
| m1913r166-661219 Transcription Source | 19-Dec-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Request for office supplies (Stationary, fuel and forage) for the next three months |
| m1913r166-661221 Transcription Source | 21-Dec-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | The number of rations required for January are men - 682, women - 868, children - 310, Total - 1860 |
| m1913r166-661225 Transcription Source | 25-Dec-66 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | The amount of clothing estimated to be required through 31 March are men - 25 suits, women - 25 suits, children - 20 suites, Total - 70 |
| m1913r164v414-1 Transcription Source | 3-Jan-67 | Endorsement | From: James A. Bates, Richmond, VA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Ira has permission to buy 1 cord of wood a month to heat the office |
| m1913r164v414-7 Transcription Source | 15-Jan-67 | Endorsement | From: James A. Bates, Richmond, VA To: George O White and Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Clothing should be forwarded to Ira's office |
| m1913r164v414-8 Transcription Source | 16-Jan-67 | Endorsement | From: James A. Bates, Richmond, VA To: George O White and Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Find out if the request for clothing has been filled |
| m1913r167-670117 Transcription Source | 17-Jan-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Ira estimates that they will need a total of 2072 rations (25 men, 34 women and 30 children times 28 days) for February for the destitute |
| m1913r167-670119 Transcription Source | 19-Jan-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Ira investigated the status of destitute freed people in Beaver Dam Depot |
| m1913r166-670205 Transcription Source | 5-Feb-67 | Letter | From: John Critcher, Judge Circuit Court, Oak Grove, VA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | After Ira worte the letter m1913r166-661208 to Captain Bates on 8 December, he must have written one to Judge Critcher on 18 Decmber. Critcher replied that he was unable to help. |
| m1913r167-670211 Transcription Source | 11-Feb-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Ira points out that there has been a delay in the deliver of clothing requested back in December |
| m1913r167-670219 Transcription Source | 19-Feb-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Rations estimate for March (2294 total, 25 men, 30 women and 30 children times 31 days) |
| m1913r167-670308 Transcription Source | 8-Mar-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Collected a list of deaf, dumb and blind, a total of 16 people |
| m1913r167-670410 Transcription Source | 10-Apr-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Request for a 20 day leave of absence where he will stay in Ashland and come into the office each afternoon and evening |
| m1913r167-670413 Transcription Source | 13-Apr-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Ira wants to request seeds from the Dept of Agriculture to allow the destitute to grow some of their own food |
| m1913r167-670425 Transcription Source | 25-Apr-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. James A. Bates, Richmond, VA | Ira reports that there are 20 White people who need food |
| m1913r57-117 Transcription Source | 1-May-67 | Circular | From: Garrick Mallery, Richmond, VA | Circular No. 9. Register freedmen for elections. |
| m1913r167-670530 Transcription Source | 30-May-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | A resident of Bever Dam is in desparate need of hospital supplies |
| m1913r167-670704 Transcription Source | 4-Jul-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | The amount of provisions received did not correspond to the amount sent, however, Ira believes that it had to do with how the previsions were measured at shpping time. There is no implication of theft. |
| m1913r167-670718 Transcription Source | 18-Jul-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Ira was asked to look into the case of Constable John L Williams of Beaver Dam, he will go there on Saturday. I have not been able to find out the result of his investigation. |
| m1913r167-670916 Transcription Source | 16-Sep-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Request for clothing for 5 orphan children |
| m1913r167-671016 Transcription Source | 16-Oct-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Request for clothing for the winter for 25 men, 25 women and 50 children |
| m1913r57v108-117 Transcription Source | 28-Oct-67 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Monthly Report |
| m1913r167-671101 Transcription Source | 1-Nov-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Have not heard of any freedmen discharged due to the maner in which they voted on 22 October |
| m1913r167-671130 Transcription Source | 30-Nov-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | There are no freedmen able to work who can't find work |
| m1913r57v108-139 Transcription Source | 21-Dec-67 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Ira reports that transferring criminal prosecution of colored people back to civil court is not working well. He cites a couple examples. |
| m1913r167-671226 Transcription Source | 26-Dec-67 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | The case of Elizabeth Hogg |
| m1913r57v108-140 Transcription Source | 27-Dec-67 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Monthly Report |
| m1913r167-680201 Transcription Source | 1-Feb-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | List of all cases in January where employer refused to pay employee |
| m1913r57lr-680501 Transcription Source | 1-May-68 | Letter | From: Berkeley Minor, Ashland, VA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Berkeley alerts Ira to a freedman, John Colly, who is living at Hanover C. H. (Court House or County Hospital?) who is making money but not supporting his family. |
| m1913r167-680501 Transcription Source | 1-May-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Case where employer will not pay employee in the month of April |
| m1913r57lr-680506 Transcription Source | 6-May-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, 3rd Subdistrict, VA | Ira alerts Hambrick on the John Colly case. |
| m1913r57lr-680508 Transcription Source | 8-May-68 | Letter | From: ?, Richmond, VA To: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Informing Ira of clothes for freedmen and women being sent from the district office. |
| m1913r57lr-680514 Transcription Source | 14-May-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Capt. W. A Coutler, Richmond, VA | Ira asks for advice on a case (I believe the John Cully case). |
| m1913r57lr-680519 Transcription Source | 19-May-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, 3rd Subdistrict, VA | Ira apologizes for going over Hambrick's head on the John Colly case. |
| outrage-30 Transcription Source | 31-May-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | A freedman was beaten by a white man. When the freedman went to court, the case was thrown out and court costs were placed on the freedman. |
| m1913r167-680729 Transcription Source | 29-Jul-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Ira informs Hambrick that he got his commission 19 Jan 65 and mustered out 1 Jan 68 and was appointed Civilian Agent on 1 Jan 68. He was Military Commissioner for Hanover and King William counties and A. S. A Comm. Of the Bureau for Hanover, also President of Board of Registration for Hanover. |
| outrage-54 Transcription Source | 19-Aug-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | While working for his former owner, a former slave got in an argument with him. The former owner want and go a hoe which he used to kill the former slave. The coroner said he died from the blow from the hoe, but that it was "without malice or premeditation". |
| m1913r167-680831 Transcription Source | 31-Jul-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Ira informs Hambrick that he was mustered out as Captain of Co "B" 9th Regt V. R. C. |
| m1913r167-680903 Transcription Source | 3-Sep-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | Ira reports on the murder of an ifant by its mother |
| m1913r57v108-680928-1 Transcription Source | 28-Sep-68 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, 3rd Subdistrict, VA | Ira reports on the status on the Freedmen in Hanover County. The last two pages are unreadable. |
| m1913r57v108-680928-2 Transcription Source | 28-Sep-68 | Letter, Press Copy | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: P. R. Hambrick, 3rd Subdistrict, VA | Ira reports on a horse thief. |
| outrage-78 Transcription Source | 30-Sep-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Unprovoked knife attack on a colored man who had fought for the union army by a white man. It is believed that the military service was the reason for the attack. The sentence was 1 hour in jail and a $50 fine. |
| m1913r168-681012 Transcription Source | 12-Oct-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA To: Lt. P. R. Hambrick, Richmond, VA | School report |
| m1913r168-681012 Transcription Source | 12-Oct-68 | Letter | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | Reports that there is only one public animal in the district and it's a horse |
| outrage-87 Transcription Source | -Nov-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | After losing a fair and consensual fight between a white man and a black man in his employ, the white man shot the black man with a shot gun causing the black man to loose sight in one eye. Since the white man was "an ex-confederate soldier", a "Virginia Gentleman" and a "white man" and the other was a "nigger" the white man was sentenced to 12 hours in jail and a 1 cent fine. |
| outrage-86 Transcription Source | 12-Dec-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | An argument over rent for which there is no evidence listed that would indicate this was an outrage. |
| outrage-89 Transcription Source | 14-Dec-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | The court refused to hear a case about a white man who stabbed a black man. |
| outrage-90 Transcription Source | 15-Dec-68 | Outrage | From: Ira Ayer, Jr., Ashland, VA | A white man beat a black man over the head with a stick. No word on the outcome. |
Copyright Bill Scholtz 2011-
Last edited 12/18/2011