Lists amount the Bureau paid to help erect schools, including 8 schools in Harford County: Clarks Chapel, Churchville, Darlington, Havre de Grace, Hendon Hill, Thomas Run, Mount Zion, and Hopewell Crossroads.
A broadside pamphlet given out by the Baltimore Association describing its purpose, accomplishments/goals of the Association, and rhetoric about recently freed African Americans to encourage financial contributions from the public. Also lists President, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurer, and Board of Managers of the organization.
During the Reconstruction era there were many organizations which were made of benevolent societies and aid associations. One of the most active and well known of those organizations was the Baltimore Association for the Moral and Intellectual Improvement of the Colored People often referred to as the “Baltimore Association.” The association began in November of 1864 in Baltimore, Maryland a few months prior to the end of the Civil War. Its mission was to improve the education of Black Americans. The Baltimore Association helped to financially support dozens of Colored schools in Baltimore as well as Colored schools in other counties throughout Maryland.
The Freedmen’s Bureau supported school at Hendon Hill, outside the county seat of Harford County, Bel Air, opened in late 1869. While the place name Hendon Hill has fallen out of use, evidence indicates that it was located about one and a half miles west of Bel Air, on Vale Road. Hendon Hill would serve as the school for the Bel Air area, appearing in Freedmen’s Bureau records as both Hendon Hill and Bel Air, until the opening of a separate school in the town itself sometime before 1881.
Bill for books and other supplies ordered by Bel Air teacher M. E. Pauline Lyons from booksellers Cushings & Bailey, and charged to Maj. W. L. Van Derlip. 9 7x11 in. slates, 3 copies of Mitchell's New Primary Geography, one Comly's Speller, 6 P.D. & S. copy books, 3 Robinson's Practical Arithmetic, 4 Hillard's 4th Readers, one gross (12 dozen) Gillott's 170 nib pens, and 1/2 gross of pen holders. Total amount due: $9.71.
Bill for books ordered by Bel Air teacher Rachel L. Alexander from booksellers Cushings & Bailey, and charged to Maj. D. G. Swaim. 3 copies of Mitchell's New Primary Geography, 3 Davies Primary Arithmetic, and 3 F. D. & S. copy books. Total amount due: $2.94.
Bill for books and other supplies ordered by Bel Air teacher Rachel L. Alexander from booksellers Cushings & Bailey, and charged to Rev. John Kimball. 10 7x11 in. slates, 4 Wilson's Primers, 4 Geography of Maryland, 6 Cromly's Spellers, and one box of slate pencils. Total amount due: $3.88.
Bill in the amount of $53.25 for 1001 feet of pine siding and 805 feet of hemlock siding for the schoolhouse at Thomas Run, made out to "Capt Saml. J. Wright For Elijah Stewart." Bears the notation "Co would not take Fght at this end of the rout"
Documents related to a bounty claim for Edward Williams, brother of deceased Perrymansville trustee Solomon Williams. Edward's letter, written March 12, 1872, states that he is the son of Henry and Harriet Williams. He also lists Henry and Harriet's non-living children: Betsey Scott of Harford County, Caroline Williams of Baltimore, Joshua Williams of Baltimore, Isaac Williams of Harford, and Barrymen Williams of Harford. Edward resides in Springfield, Massachusetts. Three witnesses attest to Edward's relationship to Solomon, Henry, and Harriet Williams -- Rev. John Watts, William Thompson, and Henry Lee, all of Springfield. Edward requested that Edward C. Knower send his pay and bounty amounting to $58.37 care of Coke R. Daggett in Springfield, Hampton County, Massachusetts. On the bounty receipt, John King is listed as receiving a share of $315.25. Solomon Williams' rank is listed as Corporal Co. F 39th Regiment US Colored Troops.
Disbursing Officer Edward H. Monteith asks Thomas Run trustee Elijah Stewart if the lot on which the schoolhouse stands is deeded to the trustees forever, and if it is, to send the deed to him as proof and he will copy and return it to them. No more materials can be supplied to build the school until this is done.
Freedmen's Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright applies for the authority to ship materials for the building of 12 schoolhouses: two in Maryland, the rest in Delaware. Havre de Grace is the first location listed. Note in margins indicates the request was approved by Bvt. Maj. Gen. E. M. Gregory, the Freedmen's Bureau assistant commissioner for the state.
Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright sends bills of lading for lumber shipped to DeCoursey. He requests that DeCoursey sign and return the receipts. Freight will be paid in Baltimore according to the rules of government freight.
Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright sends bills of lading for lumber shipped to Isaiah DeCoursey on April 16. He requests that DeCoursey sign and return the bills. Also requests the names of the school trustees.
Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright informs Isaiah DeCoursey that he has shipped paint, oils, hair, lime, and nails for building of the schoolhouse at Havre de Grace. He did not send lath because it could be better procured locally from John DuBois.
Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright writes to Isaiah DeCoursey enclosing a check to pay the account of A. and S. T. Lyon. He also encloses $13.50 for the pay of William Potts. Wright states that DeCoursey can purchase materials for shutters and stairs. The Freedmen's Bureau cannot furnish flooring or lumber for a third floor since the schoolhouse was only supposed to be two stories.
Capt. Samuel J. Wright has been directed by the assitant commissioner, Gen. Edward M. Gregory, to authorize Havre de Grace's building committee to employ William Potts, carpenter, to work on building the schoolhouse. Wright requests that DeCoursey reports Potts's time at the end of the month so Potts can receive payment from the Freedmen's Bureau.
Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright asks Isaiah DeCoursey to send him the number of days that William Potts has worked on the schoolhouse, so that Wright can send a check for his payment.
Bureau quartermaster Samuel J. Wright informs Isaiah DecCoursey that the schoolhouse at Havre de Grace will be painted when all bills against the building have been paid by the local community, per General Gregory's promise. Mr. DuBois' bill has been paid by the Freedmen's Bureau, but any other lumber ordered will not be paid for the by Bureau. Wright will forward holdbacks and fasteners and will also send a check to Lyon and Co.