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Articles of Agreement made and concluded this 20th day of March, 1866, between Dick Brown. Geo Green, Saul Harrison, William Adams, Austin Travis, W. Garnett, Paul H. Miedley, Beverly Taylor, Peter Batterson and Beverly Jackson of Wash City, County of Washington, [Strikethrough]State[/Strikethrough] Dist of Columbia, party of the first part, and G.W Gifford, of Helena, County of, State of Arkansas, party of the second part.

The said above mentioned parties-  freed laborers, agree to enter the service of the said G.W. Gifford  as farmers, and, also, that they will faithfully and diligently apply themselves and perform the duties of farmers, on the Premises of said G.W. Gifford, and answer all the reasonable requirements of the said G.W. Gifford, for, and during the space of one year, from the 20th 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 G.W. Gifford, hereby agrees to employ them (the said freed laborers) for the term of one year, 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:

[3 column table]
|Signature $|Signature $|Signature $|

|Dick Brown 12$|Austin Travis 12$|Peter Batterson 12$|
|Geo. Green 12$|W. Garnett 12$|Beverly Jackson 12$|
|Saml (Samuel) Henson 12$|Paul Batterson 12$|[Blank]|
|W. Adams 12$|Beverly Taylor 12$|[Blank]|

in equal monthly payments; and the said G.W. Gifford, further agrees to furnish said freed laborers above named, 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 for the education of the children of his employees. And it is further agreed by the said G.W. Gifford that in case he at any time fails to perform his part of this agreement, he will pay to each 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 hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

W. his x mark Garnett [L.S.]
Paul his x mark Batterson [L.S.]
Beverly his x mark Taylor [L.S.]
Peter his x mark Batterson [L.S.]
Beverly his x mark Jackson [L.S.]
Dick his x mark Broww [L.S.]
Geo. his x mark [L.S.]
Saml (Samuel) his x mark Henson [L.S.]
W. his x mark Adams [L.S.]
Austin his x mark Travis [L.S.]

SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED, IN PRESENCE OF
J.V.W. Vandenburgh

Registered at Intelligence Office, the 22nd day of March 1866 .

J.V.W. Vandenburgh
Asst Local Superintendent.

[DUPLICATE.]

Transcription Notes:
Double check names