The Bureau of Refugees, Freemen, and Abandoned Lands, often referred to as the Freedmen’s Bureau, was established on March 3, 1865. The duties of the Freedmen’s Bureau included supervision of all affairs relating to refugees, freedmen, and the custody of abandoned lands and property. These documents come from the Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of North Carolina, Series 15: Records Relating to Court Cases
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The records relating to court cases and the administration of justice, March 1865–June 1868, are arranged chronologically. Included are cases heard under both military and civilian jurisdiction. Statements, depositions, and reports from boards of survey (investigative boards) are among the documents found in this series. The records were produced in case concerning whippings, beatings, adjudication over crops, and also in case involving agents or officers of the Bureau accused of misusing funds or property.
There are also a few monthly reports of subordinate officers concerning court cases, February 1867–January 1868, arranged chronologically. They list the name, place, race, offense, judgement, verdict, sanctions, and the solicitors and judges involved in the case.
A few powers of attorney, dated March and September 1867, are also in the Assistant Commissioner's records and have been filmed after the above series.