Left Behind: Peonage and Involuntary Servitude with Antoinette Harrell

Antoinette Harrell a Peonage Detective has spent countless hours in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., conducting peonage research in Class 50 (Peonage) Litigation Case Files, 1907 – 1973.  The Class 50 litigation case files were created or accumulated by the Civil Rights Division in carrying out the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) responsibilities in matters arising under statutes implementing the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Many African Americans were physically forced or sometimes beaten to return to former employers to work off their debts. The files contain correspondence, memorandums, telegrams, newspaper clippings, transcripts of testimonies, FBI reports of investigations, and indictments.

Antoinette has spent the last five years interviewing and documenting the history of Donald Jeffery who lived his entire life on Ballground Plantation.  VICE Documentary is producing a 30-minute documentary on her research. Her peonage and involuntary servitude research has been featured in People Magazine, Nightline, ABC News and many other National and International Publications.