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Statement relative to the plantations of Wm. F. Wickham in the Counties of Hanover & Caroline in Virginia.

There are on the plantation on which I reside in the Co. of Hanover about 140 negros, formerly my slaves. At different periods of the war 122 went away with the Northern armies.  The number I owned in 1860 was upwards of 280.  Of those now remaining, from the circumstance that they who went off were chiefly young men & young women, a very small portion are efficient hands. We have now at work on the plantation about 14 men & boys, and 2 women.
 
Such has been the interruption to farming operations, from the movements of the troops & their taking my provisions & teams, destroying fences & doing other damage, that last year my crop of corn was only a little over 500 bushels. It was usually from 7000 to 8000 bushels. I have lost forty or fifty horses & mules by raiding parties.  I have been buying corn for the support of the plantation ever since March, much of it at $7 in gold per barrel.  This has compelled me to contract a heavy debt which I fear it will require some years to pay off. To add to my embarrassments, the crop of wheat this year was almost an entire failure. 

Soon after the evacuation of Richmond, it was my intention to request the removal of the greater part of my late slaves from my plantations on account of the inability to provide for them, but understood it could not be permitted.  I spoke of it to Genl. Ord, & he suggested there might be a government establishment of freedmen on my land.  Fearing a part of it might be taken possession of for that purpose, I let the subject drop.  There was at that time no indication of the policy to be pursued towards the Southern States.  I have continued at a heavy expense to his time to purchase corn for the people   At one time Genl. Ord lent me 100 bushels, which I even returned.  I think my claim for money already expended in the support of those who cannot work ought to be considered.

Some of those who went away with the Northern armies have returned.  I do not wish them to remain here & desire their removal.

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