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Orange C.H. Va July 15th 1869

Genl O.O. Howard,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
I write to ask information of you in regard to a school on my land or lot at this place in 1866. the colored people of this place procured a old house from the government [[crossed-out]] and could find [[/crossed-out]] no place for the purpose of building a schoolhouse and Church at that time they could get no ground to put their house on and I allowd them to build on my lot and have allow the house to remain on my lot for two years free of rent. then after that time I have claimed pay for the use of the ground that the house stands on. this they have refused to pay. you are aware sir. I have had to pay the taxes on the ground of mine the occupies and without any pay from the congegration. I have been informed the government or Freedman bureau has a claim or has charge of all houses that was given to the people for school and church purposes. as I has