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This contract made & entered into on the [[blank]] day of A.D. 1865, between William T. Dortch of the County of Wayne & State of North Carolina, of the first past, and the undersigned, freed laborers of the second part: Witnesseth that the said laborers have agreed to work for the said W.T. Dortch from the first day of January 1866 to the first day of January 1867, for the sum of money which stands next to & opposite their respective names, to do all kinds of labor common to the farms of the County [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [/strikethrough]] to do their work faithfully and to be respectful in their deportment: And they further agree that the amount of wages retained shall be forfeited by a violation of this contract, and they further agree that time lost by idleness or absence without leave shall not be paid for.  And the said W.T. Dortch has agreed that he will furnish the said laborers with comfortable quarters & sufficient rations, and will pay each of them at the end of each month the part of wages which stands opposite their respective names as indicated, and the balance of the wages at the end of the year; that he will treat them kindly & encourage the establishment of schools for their children.

[[4 column table]]

Name | Age | Wages per Year | part of wages per month 

1. Benjamin Thompson | 22 | $120 | $2½ 
2. Sally Ann Thompson (wife)| 25 | 72| 2½ 
3. Smitty Best | 33 | 72 | 2 
4. Laura Jane Best (child)| 16 | 72 | 0 
5. Wagy Best (child)| 12 | 24 | 0 
6. Mary Thompson | 35 | 72 | 2 
7. Major Thompson (child)| 15 | 72 | 0
8. Cary Beck Thompson (child)| 10 | 24 | 0 
9. Emanuel Stephens | 21 | 120 | 2 

[[/4 column table]]