You asked if there was documentation when slaves were freed in Ray County and as far as i know there isn't any. We have published in past quarterlies (Ray County Reflections) Loyalty Oaths, which below is a sample of the Oath Oath of Office I Wm. B. Bullock, teacher do solemnly swear that I am well acquainted with the terms of the third section of the second article of the Constitution of the State of Missouri adopted in the year eighteen hundred and sixty five and have carefully considered the same that I have never directly or indirectly done any of the acts in said section specified that. I have always been truly and loyally on the side of the Untied States against all enemies thereof foreign and domestic that I will the true faith and allegiance to the United States and will support the constitution and laws thereof as the supreme law of the land, any law on ordinance of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. That I will to the best of my ability protect and defend the union of the United States and not allow the same to be broken up and dissolved on the government thereof to be destroyed or overthrown under any circumstance if in my power to prevent it. That I will support the constitution of the State of Missouri and that I make this oath without any mental reservation or evasion and hold it to be binding on me. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26 day of October, 1866 Jas. B. Turner, Clerk Wm. B. Bullock Also, you had asked if Asa Brashear owned land close to Jackson County, Mo Yes he did, but there is the Missouri River between them. Lisa Smalley MORAY-CGA List Manager http://www.rootsweb.com/~morcga/ Ray County Genealogical Assn.