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The Freedmen's Bureau Online

Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Tennessee
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1869
National Archives Microfilm Publication M999, roll 34
"Reports of Outrages, Riots and Murders, Jan. 15, 1866 - Aug. 12, 1868"


Affidavits regarding the 1866 Memphis Riot


Before me personally appeared the undersigned and being duly sworn deposed as follows.

My name is William Smith, I live in the city of Memphis, Tenn. On the 30th of April I went up the river about 12 miles to work for a man named John Harris. I returned on the 6th of May 1866. Mister Harris paid me $35.00 for work. On the same night as I was passing on Poplar street I met two policemen and they took from me the $35.00.

On my return I found that my house and all its contents had been burned during the riot there. The loss would amount to $200.00.

William (X) Smith

Subscribed and sworn to before me the 8th day of May 1866.
(signed) M. Walsh
Capt. & V. R. C. & P. M. F.