Friendly counsels for freedmen

"Friendly Counsels for Freedmen" by J. B. (Jared Bell) Waterbury, is a post-Civil War era guide offering newly freed African Americans advice on building a successful and moral life. It emphasizes self-reliance and the cultivation of virtues like hard work, honesty, and cleanliness as keys to establishing stable households and livelihoods after the end of slavery; Waterbury encourages freedmen to pursue education to improve their lives and build stronger communities, teaching the practical skills they need to survive. The book promotes personal responsibility and strong moral character, guiding newly freed individuals toward self-sufficiency and a dignified existence.