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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?

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.