Question

Office of Bureau of Refugees Freedmen S.C.
for Robeson Co

Lumberton Aug 28th 1865

This instrument witnesseth that Robert Mc Kenzie of Robeson Co agrees to pay Truss B. Hall $4.00 per month until 25th day of December next, for and in sideration of the said Truss B. Hall rendering the Robert Mcken-zie true and faithful service and obey all lawful commands as he used to when a slave.

Robert Mc Kenzie
Truss B. X Hall [X mark is in lieu of a signature]
What is the significance that Truss, Richard, and Mary all signed their contracts with an X?

Answer 1

The significance of Truss, Richard, and Mary signing their contracts with an X is that it indicates that they were likely illiterate and unable to read or write. In the context of post-Civil War America, many formerly enslaved individuals did not have access to education and were not taught how to read and write. As a result, they often signed legal documents with an X as a mark indicating their agreement to the terms of the contract. This highlights the barriers to education and literacy faced by African Americans during this time period.