A scrapbook page with two general orders, annotations and a note. The first general order is general order No. 9 by order of Brigadier-General Robert Kingston Scott, Assistant Commissioner and H.W. Smith, Assistant Adjutant General and the order clarifies what General Sherman's Field order No. 15 had left unclear regarding land sales, titles, grants, occupation, labor and disputes. The note to Everson is from Scott regarding the estate of J.H. Holmes [? illegible]. Everson notes that numerous restorations like the one mentioned in the note dictated by the order occured. The second order is from Oliver Otis Howard Major General Commanding and Brigadier General Robert Kingston Scott, Assistant Commissioner State of South Carolina, and Howard lays out a plan to follow while delays and confusion related to general order No. 9 exist.
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
"A color scan of a scrapbook page with a letter and annotation. The letter from the Bureau written by Major J.E. Cornelius orders Everson to James Island, SC to complete a census focusing on ability and poverty. Everson is to settle the claims of Freed people holding possessory titles for land on the island and instruct those Freed people who have not contracted work to do so or they must leave. Everson's annotation mentions that a full report and the proceedings regarding the ""settlement of these 'land titles' under which freedmen had located '40 acres for each adult"" under Sherman's order No. 15 and refugees could be found in his book of retained copies of reports."
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
"A scrapbook page with copies of two letters and two endorsements. The first letter is from Everson to H.W. Smith A.A. General regarding validity of land titles held on Royall Plantation. It is unclear to Everson whether or not, under ""Special Field orders. No. 15,"" individuals who hold titles but do not live on the land are considered to be holding valid land titles. In effect, can parties hold titles by proxy? This is a common problem. The endorsement response from Bvt Major General Robert Kingston Scott and H.W. Smith declares that titles cannot be held by proxy, individuals must be living on the land for the title to be valid. The second letter from Everson to Smith concerns an incorrect last name on a land title and questions whether or not the title is still valid. The endorsement confirms that it is. "
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
A color scan of a scrapbook page with two letters from Major J.E. Cornelius. The first informs Everson that he is to refer to general order No. 9 Head Quarters Assistant Commissioner of Bureau for South Carolina for his conduct while on James Island. Cornelius requests a detailed report of action taken so far by military authorities with regard to General Sherman's Special Field order No. 15 in removing Freedmen from lands and also sick Freedmen and women from hospitals. The second letter mentions that Cornelius has sent Lieutenant Green to Charleston for rations for four hundred people and if Everson can find him he may retain some for people on James Island.
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
A color scan of a scrapbook page with two letters and an endorsement. The first letter is a copy of a letter that Everson wrote to Major H.W. Smith regarding the status of a man who was tricked into buying his freedom after all slaves were declared free; is the man entitled to locate land? And is he a freeman or a freedman? Brevet Major General Robert K. Scott and Major H.W. Smith endorse the man's claim and that he will be considered a Freedman under all of General Sherman's Field order No. 15. The second letter is from Assistant Adjutant General Oliver Dorrance Kinsman and instructs Everson to send all of his reports to Major J.E. Cornelius who will consolidate them with his own.
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
A color scan of a scrapbook page with a letter and an annotation. The letter from H.W. Smith discusses land and housing disputes and restoration. Everson's annotation discusses how, with restoration of plantations, the door has been opened for the settlement of land titles and job opportunities--which many freedmen refused.
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
"A color scan of a scrapbook page with two copies of letters from Everson and two Endorsements from Brevet Major General Robert Kingston Scott and H.W. Smith on the matters of labor and land disputes on Lawton Plantation, Clark Plantation and Mullichamp Plantation while considering ""Special Field orders. No. 15"" issued by General William Sherman."
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
"A color scan of a scrapbook page with a letter and an annotation. The letter from the Bureau provided rules for guidance on the matter of claimed lands. Everson writes in his annotation that, among other things, ""these were the first guidance ever received."""
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
"A color scan of a scrapbook page with a special order, copy of a letter, an endorsement and annotations by Everson. The special order from the Bureau appoints Major J.E. Cornelius as Acting Sub Assistant Commissioner for Johns, James, Wadmalaw, Edisto, Morris and Folly Islands thereby relieving James Chaplin Beecher. Everson is to report immediately for instructions. There is an annotation next to the order where Everson writes of Beecher's patriotism;being a chaplain in the Navy in China prior to the war;his half-brother Henry Ward Beecher; Plymouth Church Chapel; and his suicide. The correspondence is from Everson to Major H.W. Smith A.A. General regarding a land dispute on James Island. Everson included an annotation that this and a few additional cases are included to show the murkiness of ""Special Field orders. No. 15"" issued by General William Sherman. The endorsement is by order of Brevet Major General Robert Kingston Scott and H.W. Smith deeming a land title not legal. "
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
A color scan of a scrapbook page with a letter, annotation and a special order. The letter is from Major General Commissioner Oliver O. Howard and reiterates a policy that no fees should be charged by the officers of the Bureau for any work provided during contracts established between freedpeople and their employees and that contracts should be in writing and not verbal. Everson's annotation mentions that he inspected every post in the state and he never witnessed any fee being charged. The second special order is from Brevet Major Robert K. Scott Assistant Commissioner and Brevet Major Edward L. Deane and establishes a Board in accordance with part of a bill establishing a Bureau to assess value and improvements made by freedpeople to buildings on Johns Island, S.C. covered by possessory titles. The Board is to be composed of: Brevet Major Erastus W. Everson and Agent Mr. William E. Cutter and a third member if needed.
Result found on the following page of: Erastus Everson Diary 1861-1893
A color scan of a scrapbook page with two special orders and a letter. The first special order is from Brevet Major General Robert K. Scott and Brevet Major Edward L. Deane and establishes a Board composed of: Brevet Brigadier General R.F. Foust; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel James P. Low A.Q.M. of R & D.C.; and Brevet Major Erastus W. Everson A.D.C. The Board is to fix the rest of an office in Georgetown, SC for the use of its Acting Assistant Commissioner. The letter concerns a case that Everson will be given information concerning a Mr. Beckett and Littlefield Plantation. The second special order is from Brevet Major Robert K. Scott Assistant Commissioner and Brevet Major Edward L. Deane and establishes a Board in accordance with part of a bill establishing a Bureau to assess value and improvements made by freedpeople to buildings on James Island, S.C. covered by possessory titles. The Board is to be composed of: Brevet Major Erastus W. Everson and Agent Mr. William E. Cutter and a third member if needed.
