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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN

This Agreement, made this 15th day of June, A.D., 1865, by and between John D. Woods of the County of Kemper and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the persons hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, parties hereto of the second part, [[blank]]
Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the "Hard [[up?]]" Place in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the [[blank]] day of [[blank]], A.D. 1865. and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said John D Woods party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the parties of the second part, agrees, to furnish to the said laborers and those rightfully dependent on them, free of charge, clothing and food of good quality and sufficient quantity: good and sufficient quarters; medical attendance when necessary, and kind and humane treatment.
[[written over text]] Office Sub Comr. Meridian Miss 3rd Octo 1865 Approved Ew. L. Buckwalter Capt. & Sub. Comr. [[/written over text]]

And it is further Agreed, That in case the said John D. Woods shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by him, or shall furnish said parties 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 parties of the second part that they will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said John D Woods may require of them for the time aforesaid, not exceeding ten hours per day in summer and nine  hours in winter and in every respect be dutiful and faithful servants: 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 to offending shall be punished in such manner as the Provost Marshal shall deem proper.

In Testimony Whereof, The said parties have affixed their names to this Agreement at Scooba Kemper Co State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid.

John D Woods}Party of 1st part

George
Bob x his mark
Fanny x her mark    }parties of 2nd part
Sylvia x her mark
Charley x his mark

With this lot of freedmen are eight children from eleven years down, and George is 64 yrs old, Charley is almost helpless, and one woman far advanced in pregnancy

Executed in presence of
WA Moseley
Henry Jones