The black community of Massachusetts contributed much to the Union war effort — men for the regiments, workers for local training camps, and even clothing and food for the troops.
Following federal approval, the African Meeting House in Boston became a central place for recruitment from the African-American community. In February 1863, local community members such as waiter Robert Johnson, abolitionist Wendell Phillips, and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Hallowell of the 54th Infantry Regiment spoke there, encouraging enlistment. Similar meetings occurred in New Bedford.
African-American Meeting House, Boston
The oldest standing African-American house of worship in the United States.
Photograph by T. C. Fitzgerald
As enlistment increased, the community at home contributed to the war effort as best it could. Many of those who remained at home began to work as domestics and laborers at Camp Meigs at Readville. The Colored Ladies Relief Society presented a flag to the 54th Regiment as well as clothing and foodstuffs. Family members left at home struggled to support their families as soldiers went unpaid and state aid promised to their families was continually denied.
"Joe," Camp Meigs, Readville, Mass, Oct 1862
Although not clearly identified as such, it is likely that “Joe” was one of the many Massachusetts blacks who served as laborers and domestics at Camp Meigs both before and after the recruitment of the black regiments.
Courtesy State Library of Massachusetts, Special Collections
Deposition of Mary Ann Clark
In her continued effort to obtain the state aid promised to the families of enlistees of the black regiments, Mrs. Clark recounts her exasperating experiences and the constant denial of such aid by Massachusetts authorities, even though she had been married to her husband since 1858. Her request was eventually granted by the state auditor.
Massachusetts Archives
Document conserved through the generosity of the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts
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Boston June 30 1863
I Mary Ann Clark on oath depose and say that I was married to my present husband Thomas Clark, now in the 54th Mass. Regiment, on or about the tenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight by the Rev Mr Green in Louisville Ky. and that I have continued to live with him as his wife up to the time of his enlistment in the service of the United States. After I came to this city Captain Smith Co G. advised my husband to get married again as (^he said) marriages in the south were not legal and being desirous of being protected by the law we were re-married by Rev Mr Jackson, on the 26 of May last, and soley because of the representations of (^the aforesaid Captain of the) the Co. of in which my husband was a member enlisted.
I further depose and say that I make this statement for the following reasons. After the regiment aforesaid left Boston I went to the State House to get the necessary papers to procure my state aid, and these I took to the city relief office when I was sent back to Gen Schouler, he took my paper and asked me how he should know that I was married? I told him I had my certificate, he requested me to bring it which I did, he then said I think this deprives you of your state aid, he gave no reasons but kept the paper given me. I was legally married in Kentucky and I learn that it is not necessary to be married again on coming into another state, this I was ignorant of at the time the last ceremony was performed
Witness
Mary Ann X Clark
Mark
Letter of Joseph Kelson
His son of the same name having reenlisted in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry, Joseph Kelson complained that the soldier received no pay and hence he himself was having difficulty supporting his grandchildren. It is unclear whether Joseph, Sr., ever received assistance from the state. His son died of disease less than a year later in Georgetown, South Carolina.
Massachusetts Archives
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Pittsfield July 30 1864
Govner Andrews
Dear Sir I take this Optunity to write to you to see if you would not Grant me One Favior only one that is to discharge my son from the armey it is my all my onley one and I pade and got him out once that took all I had and they said that they would not enlist him a gane and now he has ben in service for 10 monts and I have his Children to take care of and he dont get no pay he havnt had a cent since he went a way pleas Grant one just that one bleason [blessing] for God sake pleas Grant me that one privlague for I am geting Old and feeble and I want to see him ver much pleas dont be offindeed for my taking this Opirnity to write you pleas dont and pleas do your best for me and agane pleas write me what you will do as soon as you get this his name is Joseph Kelson 54 reg Co A Mass Vol he is [at] Morries Island SC
Joseph Kelson
pleas direct your letter to Sarah Kelson Pittsfield Mass post office Addres 196