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Contract for Labor

This Indenture made and entered into on the first day of January AD 1866 between J J Battle of the County of Edgecombe and State of North Carolina of the first part, and the undersigned freed laborers of the second part: Witnesseth That the said laborers have agreed to work for the said J J Battle from [[strikethrough]] the first day of January 1866 [[/strikethrough]] this date to the first day of January 1867 — to do all kinds of labor common to farms of the County to work ten hours per day, to do their work faithfully, and ^[[insertion]] to [[/insertion]] be respectful in their deportment — and they farther agree that one half of their monthly pay shall be retained by the said J J Battle till the end of the year, and that the amount so retained shall be forfeited by a violation of this Contract — and they farther agree that time lost shall not be paid for — —  And the said J J Battle has agreed that he will furnish the said laborers with comfortable quarters, and the amount of money and rations per month which stands opposite their respective names — that he will treat them kindly, and encourage the establishment of schools for their children

[[3 column table]]
Gilbert his X mark Harrison | $13 | And 16 pounds bacon one bushel meal

Ned his X mark Harrison | " [[ditto for $]] 2 | 8 Lbs of bacon And ½ bus Meal

May her X mark Thorn | 8 | 16 " [[ditto for Lbs]] of bacon one bushel of meal

Punch his X mark Thorn | 10 | " " " " " " [[ditto for 16 Lbs, ditto for of, ditto for bacon, ditto for one, ditto for bushel, ditto for of meal]]

Cornelius his X mark Thorn | 5 | 13 " " " " " [[ditto for of, ditto for bacon, ditto for one, ditto for bushel, ditto for of meal]]

Rency her X mark Thorn | 5 | 13 " " " " " [[ditto for of, ditto for bacon, ditto for one, ditto for bushel, ditto for of meal]]

Hayward his X mark Thorn | 2 | 8 " " [[ditto for of, ditto for bacon]] ½ bus Meal

[[signature]] J J Battle [[/signature]]

[[image - 5 cent Internal Revenue stamp, cancelled with initials J. B. and date Jan 1 1866]]

Witness
[[signature]] William F. Cox [[/signature]]
Lieut & Asst. Supt Freedmens Bureau
Sub Dist of Tarboro N.C.

Transcription Notes:
I've change ditto tags to reflect preferred SI style given in these instructions: https://transcription.si.edu/instructions -- Beth