White trustees of a Black church refuse to allow them to employ a Black pastor
description: Several documents beginning with deposition of David Lucket, complaining that white trustees of church at Oxon Hill, MD prevent Black parishioners from employing a Black minister. Require a white one. The underlying reason for this requirement by white trustees, subsequent investigation shows, is the "Nat Tyler" insurrection of 1852.
date: 2/21/1866
coverage: Oxen Hill, Prince George's County, MD

White officials in Queen Anne's County challenge the recruitment of free people of color as temporary slaves
description: William T. Chamgbers to Col. William Birney reporting arrest of Col. J.P. Creager for recruiting among free people of color on the grounds that "when a free colored man hires himself for a year, or short period of time, he is a slave for the length of time he hires himself, and that I have no right to recruit him, though it may be his desire to volunteer." Notes that John Singer, a free person of color, was arrested for enlisting and thus violating his contract "without reasonable and proper cause."
date: 8/22/1863
coverage: Centreville, Queen Anne's Co, MD

White officers discuss how to handle a Black New York soldier who enlisted in a white unit stationed at Fort McHenry
description: William Lee (capt NY vols) to Adj of NY Vols writing that he received a group of 46 men in which there was a Black man, George Tankard of NY. Lee states that he has put Tankard to work in the kitchen, and he feels that it would be unsafe to drill or house the Black soldier with the white ones. Asks that the man be moved immediately to USCT—request granted.
date: 9/20/1864
coverage: Fort McHenry, MD

White Baltimore resident Sarah Alnutt petitions the military for help returning a Black child taken from her residence by family members
description: White Baltimore resident Sarah Alnutt to Gen. Lew Wallace asking for help returning Black child Dolly Parran, who was apparently taken from her residence by distant relations. Includes a letter from the Baltimore police, who investigated the incident.
date: 11/29/1864
coverage: Baltimore, MD

Union officer orders local officials in Havre de Grace to permit Frederick Douglass to give a lecture there
description: Brig. Gen. H.H. Lockwood to Lt. Col. Lawrence (AAAG) opposing intention of town authorities of Havre de Grace to prevent Frederick Douglass from speaking there. Says Douglass's speeches are sensible and would do much good.
date: 11/28/1864
coverage: Havre de Grace, Harford Co, MD

Two escaped Black Marylanders reveal hidden rebel weapons cache to the army
description: Lt D. C. Clark to Capt Chas Corbit enclosing two affidavits from formerly enslaved Black Marylanders revealing the location of a hidden cache of rebel weapons as well as the details of their escape to join the Union Army.
date: 2/11/1864
coverage: Anne Arundel & Calvert Counties, MD

Theresa Duffin reports that her former enslaver beat her after she argued with his wife and that they refuse to return her property
description: Affidavit of Theresa Duffin reporting that she had a run-in with her enslaver's wife in 1863 for which he severely beat her; she complained to the authorities & they promptly lodged her in jail; the enslaver got her out & told her that if she didn't wish to return to his place she must leave MD; she went to Georgetown; in fall 1864 she returned to the former enslaver's place to get her children, which he agreed to permit, but he refused to let her carry away some $125 worth of personal effects (interesting list of household furnishings & clothing); she complains about the property, saying that the former master threatened to kill her if she ever returned to his place.
coverage: Washington, D.C.

The deputy provost marshal for Kent County reports that local officials used state indenture laws to facilitate the theft of Black children by former enslavers
description: Bartus Trew (Deputy Prov. Marshal for Kent Co.) to Major Este informing Este that over one hundred free Black children have been bound out by the county Orphan’s Court without the consent of their parents. Trew reports receiving numerous complaints from parents.
date: 11/15/1864
coverage: Chestertown, Kent Co, MD

Several surgeons of Black regiments write to Lincoln complaining about having to serve under a Black officer, Surgeon Alexander Augusta
description: J.B. McPherson et. al. to Lincoln protesting the assignment of Surgeon Alexander Augusta. Claim their commitment to "bettering" Black Americans but assert that it is beneath their dignity to serve with him as their superior officer. A subsequent letter from one of them, Asst. Surgeon Joel Morse of the 7th USCT, implores Senator John Sherman "to right this wrong, which to my mind is grave, unjust, and humiliating."
date: 2/1864
coverage: Camp Stanton, Bryantown, MD

Sarah Parsons retrieves her daughters from her former enslaver with help from the military
description: Saml B Lawrence to Col. Wm H. Browne (AAPMG for MD & DE) directing him to send the deputy pro mar at Salsbury "to compel Joshua W Phillips, in Barren Creek District Somerset Co, to deliver to Sarah Parsons (colored) all her children now withheld from her by said Phillips." If Phillips refused, he was to be arrested and sent to Baltimore.
date: 12/2/1864
coverage: Somerset County, MD