Viewing page 116 of 344

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Agreement with Freedmen
This agreement - made this the 1st day of June A.D. 1865 by and between J.& B.T. Bennett of the county of Madison and state of Mississippi of the first part and the persons hereinafter named and undersigned Freedmen of the same place part hereto of the second part
Witnesseth. That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Bennett place in the County aforesaid during the year commencing on the 1st day of June A.D. 1865 and terminating on the first day of January 1866. The said J.&B.T. Bennett parties of the first part in considering of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the part of the second part agrees to furnish to the said Laborers and those rightfully dependent upon them free of charge clothing and food of good quality - and sufficient quantity - good and sufficient quarters, medical attendence when necessary and kind and humane treatment to allot from the Lands of said plantation for garden purposes one acre - each family such allotment to include a reasonable use of tools and animals for the cultivation of the same to reach only one half a day's labor on saturdays and none whatever on Sundays.

And it is further agreed that in case the said J&B.T. Bennett shall fail neglect or refuse to fulfill any of the obligations assumed by them or shall furnish said  part of the second part with insufficient food or clothing or be guilty of cruelty to them he shall besides the legal recourse left to the party or parties aggrieved render this Contract liable to annulment by the provost Marshall of Freedmen, And it is agreed on the part of the part of the second part that they will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said J.&B.T. Bennett may require of them for the time aforesaid not exceeding ten hours in summer & nine hours in winter and in case any laborer shall voluntarily absent themselves from or shall neglect or refuse to perform the labor herein promised and the fact shall be proven to the satisfaction of the proper officer the party so offending shall be punished in such manner as the Provost Marshall of Freedmen shall deem as proper.
[Signed] J&B.T. Bennett.

Transcription Notes:
Need transcription of the ___ Bennett.