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Petersburg October 30th 1869

Mr R. M. Manly

Sir this is to inform you that I am doing as well as could be expected in regards to my school I have a very fine school and shall endevour to do my duty towards instructing them to the best of my ability although I have but a few friends I shall put my trust in God he will befriend = I am very sorry induce to inform you that some person or persons set fire to my garden stacks & consumed all that I possessed which was three (3) stacks it was done of Friday morning just before day The lost is great on me being as I am a poor man with a family to take care of and all the incomes that I have is the 10 Doll that you aid me with and you are aware that is a very small income for a man with family....Mr. Manly School Teacher Ford informed me some time back that you had captation money for Teachers if that is so why maby that with will help a poor man in this deplorable condition
Please answer and let me here from you and oblidge 

Yours Respectfully
L A Birchett
Teacher in charge of Co
Freedman School

[[Dinsiddie?]] Cty near Hatcher Run