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"B."

North Carolina   }
Columbus County  }

This day came before me Calvin E. Gore, a justice of the Peace in and for said County. William Q. Maultsby, who being sworn saith on oath that he is well acquainted with Ben Simpson a freedman, has known him for the past seven or eight years, that he has always been under bad character, is generally regard as a person of untruth, is vicious in his disposition, could not believe him under oath, would regard him as a dangerous character in any community. He further swears, that he has known Benjamin M. Richardson for about six years, has known him to be a peaceable quiet and moral man, of kind disposition, has had in his employ during that time negroes while in slavery, and freedmen in his service since their liberation, has always treated them with uniform kindness; is regarded in his community as a worthy citizen. He further swears that Mr Richardson was in politics opposed to the war, that he took no active part in encouraging the [[underlined]] rebellion, [[/underlined]] that his influence was to discourage it; he was no war man; in point of humanity he helped the poor and needy, without regard to race or color

[[signature]] W. Q. Maultsby {{seal}}

Signed Sealed and Sworn to before me This March 19th 1866, 
[[signature]] Calvin C. Gore [[/signature]] J.P. {{seal}}