I recently found a Union Provost Marshal's file on my great-great-great grandfather, Edwin H. Carter. If I had any doubts after reading the first deposition, the second sealed the deal that it was my g-g-g grandfather by the name of his step-daughter, Carrie Burbridge.
E. H. Carter lived in Lexington, Missouri, and was a slave owner. Let me make it clear that I do not apologize for the fact that he owned slaves. I have absolutely no control over that fact. It's unfortunate that he owned slaves, but it bothers me that he wasn't very kind to them for the most part. Here are the unedited depositions.
"Carter, Edwin H.
16779
Provost Marshal File.
Violet Young. (Colored), age forty eight years being duly sworn upon her oath states, I live in Lexington Lafayette Co. Mo. I formerly belonged to and lived with Edwin H. Carter. He is my old Master & for most of the time previous to last August for nearly eight years I have been hired out by Mr. Carter to different persons. I lived with James Hays two years of that time & with Dr. Frank Cooley, two years. I was living with him when I assumed my freedom. My old Master, Edwin H. Harter was never a very kind master to me, his wife was generally a kind mistress, his daughters were very cross and unkind to me & my children. His sons were on the contrary always kind and polite to me & to all the servants and to my children. I never heard my master, or any of his family make any threats agains Pleasants or any one of his former slaves in consequence of their leaving or having left him. Some of his negroes said he had, but I never heard any threats made myself. I have no reason to believe of my own knowledge that Mr. Carter or any of his family had any thing to do with or knowledge of Pleasants being shot previous to its taking place or that he or they had any connection with or knowledge of the persons who shot Ed Pleasants. This is all I have to say.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of April A.D. 1865
C. E. Rogers her
Capt. & Asst. Provost Marshall 4th sub district. Violet X Young
mark
Ann Marshall (colored) age 18 years being duly sworn upon her Oath states I live in Lexington Lafayette Co Mo. at this time. I formerly belonged to and lived with Edwin H. Carter. I was raised in his family. Mr. Carter & his family alwas treated me and all of his colored people very well until I left his Daughter, with whom I was living in Shelby Co. Mo. last Christmas, and come here at that time. During Christmas Hollidays I went out Mr Carters house to see my old Grandmother who was then living at his house. And Mr. Carter asked me what I was doing out to his house? I told him I had come "to see m Grandmother. He then told me to "leave," that he did not want "Contraband niggers to come about his place" Mr. Carter took from me a letter that had been written to me with my grandparents names signed to it & he would not let me have it again & he sent me word by one of his step daughters Miss Carrie Burbridge, he would keep that letter & that I could not have it again. I am acquainted with Ed Pleasants who was lately wounded. He was formerly my fellow servant & belonged to Mr. Carter. (over) I know nothing of my own knowledge personally about the cause of Ed's being wounded or of the persons who committed the act. I never heard Mr. Carter or any of his family make any threats against or to Ed Pleasants. As far as I know Mr. Carter & Ed always got along very well together while I was with them or living at Home. I believe Ed left Mr. Carter's during las Christmas Hollidays & has not to my knowledge been there since. I believe I have nothing further to state.
Sworn to this 28th day her
of April A.D. 1865 Ann X Marshal
C. E. Rogers mark
Capt. & Asst. Pro. Marshal
4th sub district"
The other name I recognized was that of Dr. Frank Cooley. He was married to one of my Chinn relatives (Penelope Ellen Chinn was my great-great-grandmother's (Mary Elizabeth Bowman nee Chinn) sister.
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