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No 764

Articles of Agreement made and concluded this 12th day of March, 1866, between Richd Benton of Wash City, County of Washington, State Dist of Columbia, party of the first part, and J. C. Fairfax, of Bladensburgh, County of A.A., State of Md, party of the second part.

The said Richd Benton freed laborers, agree to enter the services of the said J.C. Fairfax as Farmer, and, also, that they will faithfully and diligently apply themselves and perform the duties of Farmer, on the Premises of said J.C. Fairfax, and answer all the reasonable requirements of the said J. C. Fairfax, for, and during the space of one mo' or longer, from the 12th day of March, 1866; and they further agree that their employer shall retain one-fourth their monthly wages until the expiration of their term of service.

And the said J.C. Fairfax, hereby agrees to employ them (the said freed laborers) for the term of one mo' Month or longer, as aforesaid, and to pay for their services the sum set opposite their respective names, per month — (One fourth of which shall be retained each month,) and all stoppages and arrearages promptly paid at the expiration of their respective terms of service, to wit:

24. Richd Benton  10$. ten dollars

in equal monthly payments; and the said J. C. Fairfax, further agrees to furnish said freed laborers above names, quarters, fuel, full substantial and healthy rations, and all necessary medical attendance and supplies in case of sickness, in addition to the compensation above named, and that he will assist and encourage efforts the the education of the children of his employees.  And it is further agreed by the said J.C. Fairfax that in case he at any time fails to perform his part of this agreement, he will pay to the said laborers the full sum of one hundred dollars, as fixed, agreed and liquidated damages.

If it shall be mutually desirable to annul this contract before the expiration of the term agreed upon, it shall be done only in the presence and with the concurrence of such officer of the Freedman's Bureau, (or other authority) as may have immediate jurisdiction in this matter in the district wherein such parties reside.

In testimony whereof, they have herewith set their hand and seals, the day and year first above written.

SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED,       [L.S.]  Rich'd his x mark Benton
     IN PRESENCE OF                  [L.S.]
J V W Vandenburgh                    [L.S.]
                                     [L.S.]
Registered at Intelligence Office, the 12th day of March 1866.

Jno C Fairfax
[[strikethrough]] Superintendent [[/strikethrough]]

Wm. F Spurgin
Supt. D.C.

[DUPLICATE.]