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NARA 506

2

Previous to the Surrender my wife took the little girl, then only four or five years old, in the house with her, for the purpose of raising her properly.

After the Surrender, Andy soon left us and set up for himself,- did badly, both financially & morrally, was sentenced for theft, imprisoned for several months, and would now have been in the Penitentiary but for my interference in his behalf. I even cared for his family, when he was in jail.

Under an act of our Legislature, "binding orphan children &c" we took out "apprentice Indentures" under bond of 500$- to keep the girl till she should arrive at the age of 18 years, learning her to read & write, & give her at 18 years of age fifty Dollars.

The child was taken as an act of charity & because my wife had fancied her, as being quite sprightly.

These are the facts in the case - and the reasons, as showing cause why we detain the child.

I told Andy on one occasion in the presence of B.G. Hendricks of Columbus Miss - with whom Andy is now living, that we would surrender