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0210

the overseers must judge whether the applicant, from disease poverty old age or other cause is unable to support himself; or if a female whether unable to support a family of young children, what the ability of the husband, if she is married or if not who is the reputed father &c &c

The Board having already applied to the County Court for a levy for the paupers on their list at present; and understanding there will probably be ninety or more colored paupers needing support or assistant, the board will appropriate three thousand dollars or so much thereof as may be necessary to their assistance & support. This assistance however can not be now furnished nor sooner than the 1st December 1866. The Levy must be made first by the County Court; then collected of the people by the sheriff & then paid to the overseers - which is generally about the 1st December [[strikethrough]] 1866 [[/strikethrough]] every year,

2d. The second question we believe to be fully answered in the foregoing statement. There never has been any discrimination between white and black, who were destitute and unable to support themselves; except that the master was always required to support his own aged and worn out slaves, who had spent their lives in his service. If he was unable the slave pauper was always supported as a free man by the overseers of the poor.
The freed man will pay a poll tax as the white man does & if he has taxable property he will pay on that also as the white man. But none of these taxes can be made available before the end of the year say December 1866

Ordered that a copy of the above be furnished by our clerk to Lieutenant Buffum.
A Copy Teste
Jas D. Nemkins Clk of the Board O.P. for Halifax County

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-20 11:24:47