Release him from any further cull.
by Lisa Y. Henderson
It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Noah Mitchel a free person of color is a blacksmith by trade and without his services the farming interests of the County must be materially impaired. It is therefore ordered by the Court that the proper authorities be requested to release him from any further cull of the free negroes from the County to perform labor for the Government. [15 February 1864]
Minutes, Superior Court of Sampson County.
What does that mean “to release him from any further cull”?
Free men of color were forced to perform labor at Confederate military sites in NC, often at considerable distances from their homes and families. Noah Mitchell managed to convince local authorities that his services were irreplaceable closer to home. I’ve never run across this kind of exemption. — Lisa