Right after the Civil War, orphaned African-Americans were “apprenticed” to local white families to learn a trade. The Louisiana Freedmen’s Bureau took care of writing up the contracts and were supposed to make sure they were treated fairly. This is only covers a nine month period, and it makes you wonder what happened to the children? To see a copy of the actual record, Familysearch.org has the Freedmen’s Bureau Records digitized and available to view for free.
| Date of Ind. | Name | Occupation | Indentured to | Duration | Notes |
| 20 Mar 1867 | James Thompson | Planting | Mrs. N.J. Willson | 5 years | Orphan of Joseph Thompson |
| 20 Mar 1867 | Martha Thompson | Housekeeping | Mrs. N.J. Willson | 7 years | Orphan of Joseph Thompson |
| 20 Mar 1867 | Marina Henderson | Servant | J.T. Simmons | 6 years | Orphan of Robert Henderson |
| 20 Mar 1867 | Jonas Henderson | Servant | J.T. Simmons | 10 years | Orphan of Robert Henderson |
| 20 Mar 1867 | Gabriel Henderson | Servant | J.T. Simmons | 12 years | Orphan of Robert Henderson |
| 20 Mar 1867 | Pilgrim Henderson | Servant | J.T. Simmons | 6 years | Orphan of Robert Henderson |
| 20 Mar 1867 | Nathan Davis | Brick Making | Thomas N. Conner | 3 years | # |
| 22 Jul 1867 | John Wilson | Servant | J.T. Ludeling | 4 years | Orphan of Robert Wilson |
| 12 Jul 1867 | Laura Ward | Servant | R.C. Hendericks | 6 years | 9 years old. Morehouse Parish |
| 12 Jul 1867 | Margaret Ward | Servant | R.C. Hendericks | 4 years | 11 years old. Morehouse Parish. |
| 12 Jul 1867 | Moses Ward | Farmer | R.C. Hendericks | 14 years | 4 years old. Morehouse Parish. |
| 26 Aug 1867 | Glasgon Caldwell | Farmer | S.D. Brigham | 6 years | Orphan of Glasgon & Myra. Morehouse Par. |
| 22 Aug 1867 | Jennie Johnson | John Ray | 5 years | ||
| 27 Aug 1867 | Delphin Moore | Dixon/Dickson Moore | 8 years | 7 years old. | |
| 27 Aug 1867 | Adam Moore | Dixon/Dickson Moore | 13 years | 5 years old. | |
| 27 Aug 1867 | Lenah Moore | Dixon/Dickson Moore | 5 years | 10 years old. | |
| 22 Aug 1867 | Amanda Stephens | Francis A. Sharp | 8 years | 7 years old. | |
| 22 Aug 1867 | Horrace Stephens | Farmer | Francis A. Sharp | 9 years | 9 years old. |
| 13 Sep 1867 | Wesley Johnson | Farmer | John S. Knox | 9 years | |
| 9 Sep 1867 | Livy Rudulph | Farmer | Rufus E. Phillips | 5 years | |
| 9 Sep 1867 | Amos Williams | Farmer | Rufus E. Phillips | 7 years | |
| 10 Oct 1867 | Kent Rodney | Eli Noble | 3 years | 15 years old.* | |
| 18 Nov 1867 | Samuel Holt | Farmer | David M. Holt | 3 years | 15 years old. |
| 18 Nov 1867 | Sarah Holt | House Servant | David M. Holt | 3 years | 12? Years old. |
| 26 Nov 1867 | Clinton Hunt | Farmer | H.M. Polk | 12 years | 6 years old. |
| Those who they were indentured to, were required to provide sufficient clothing, board, washing, lodging and schooling. The indentures cover | |||||
| Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes. All were former slaves. | |||||
| #Would be given $50 the first year, $75 the second and $100 the third. | |||||
| *Contract null and void if his parents or any other party claim him. |
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 