Records of the SC Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872

After the Civil War times were rough and the period between 1865 and 1877 was known as the reconstruction era.  Many women and children were left to fend for themselves having lost their husbands, fathers and sons during the war.
The Federal Government stepped in and provided rations for those who met the qualification.

Records of the field offices for the state of South Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872











https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ZG-8CL7?i=848&cc=2127881

Monthly reports of the number of persons issued rations, medicines and clothing, Apr.-Nov. 1867; Registers of rations issued, v. 1-2, Apr.-Sept., no year listed. The year looked to be 1867.

Start with the hyperlink above and move forward. The Ration list is in alphabetical order.

This is page 1 of the ration list with 3 families listed; 1 white and 2 African American.

















The the family of Calvin Allen.

Calvin states that he lived in Oro, Chesterfield County. Oro, was a Post Office established in 1867. Oro was near the NC line between Pageland and Chesterfield.
 




The upper Corner shows his age as 38 which would indicate he was born about 1828 if these are indeed 1867 records. Census records confirmed he was borne 1828-1829.

He lives on the Lancaster highway and had 7 children; 3 males and 4 female. Their age is not shown but on many of the recordings age is shown.

The family was issued rations of Pork and Corn in both May and June 1867.

This file is well worth spending some time browsing through the individual listings.





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[1] https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ZG-8CL7?i=848&cc=2127881