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to remain there, that since that time be has been residing near this place on a small piece of rented poor land endeavoring to make the best provision he could for them - that there are 17 of the Freedmen under 6 years, of age, 10 under ten years of age, 8 under 13 years of age & 5 over 50 years of age one of whom is blind, that the hire for the past two years & afterwards of such as were able bodied has been far short of supporting them - that ever since May last the whole of them have been left on  his hands. he them all as soon as the order from the Government announcing their freedom was published he communicated the fact to them & told them that they were at liberty  to go when & where they pleased, but all the adults declined going and are exceedingly anxious to return to the plantation where they all had comfortable houses &  gardens. that he still has the 79 on his hands here and is without the means of supporting them here or of taking them back home