Oath of Allegiance of James Hicks
6/5/1865
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Southern land owners who had sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War had to prove their loyalty to the Union in order to have their abandoned or confiscated property returned to them. This oath was James Hicks's first step to reclaiming his land that was held by the Freedmen's Bureau.
The Federal Government had established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands – better known as the Freedmen's Bureau – after the war to aid formerly enslaved people. One of the major activities of the Bureau was the leasing of abandoned and confiscated property. Although their numbers were small, freedmen who had the means were allowed to lease land ranging from 10 to 100 acres.
The Federal Government had established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands – better known as the Freedmen's Bureau – after the war to aid formerly enslaved people. One of the major activities of the Bureau was the leasing of abandoned and confiscated property. Although their numbers were small, freedmen who had the means were allowed to lease land ranging from 10 to 100 acres.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.
National Archives Identifier: 595080
Full Citation: Oath of Allegiance of James Hicks; 6/5/1865; Case File of James Hicks; Case Files Relating to Restorations of Property, 1865 - 1866; Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/oath-james-hicks, October 1, 2023]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.