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[C 33 ENCL] Kenansville. Apl. 23rd 1868 Capt. Curren Dr. Sir Moses Pearsall, Nick Pearsall Dick Chambers, Orren Hussey & Horace Pearsall propose to go to Magnolia to day. Dick & Orren married in the family so that they all have been in my employment. Moses has never left my premises & although he has ten children he has more than all the others together. [[underline]] They [[/underline]] have been moving about till this year & came back to work with me this year with nothing to eat. Moses has ten children, Nick eight, Horace seven Dick two & Orren three & his wifes Sister who has no husband & lives in the same house three making forty four in all. I have land & mules & tools & we have planted some crop & are nearly ready to plant enough to keep all the laborers busy but we have no provisions or money. I have tried in every way I can think of without success. I only have corn enough for my white family & we must abandon the idea of making a crop unless help can be obtained. My white family numbers nine. These men propose to work in the farm a part of the time & by the day at job work a part of the time for food. But this will never do to rely on for a crop. I pity these helpless people & am disposed to help them if I can but I will not be hypocritical. You know I am incapable of performing much field labor. I have some experience in farming & am willing to aid all I can with my hands & with my judgment & furnish land tools & team to get my farm cultivated for 1/3 of the product but to feed is impossible unless I can get credit. I ask no
Transcription Notes:
Curren