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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this 22nd day of June A.D, 1865, by and between S.S Catching of the County of Copiah and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the person hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, parties hereto of the second part,

Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Catching Plantation in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 22nd day of June A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said S.S. Catching 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

I. S.S. Catching of the first part, obligate myself to furnish the parties of the second part all of the above requirements

And it is further agreed, That in case the said S.S. Catching 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 Marshal 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 S.S. Catching 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 servant; 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 Marshal of Freedmen shall deem proper.

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

Ben his X mark
Sarah her X mark 7 Children
Lewis his X mark
Judah her X mark 3 children 
Martha her X mark 1 child
Nancy her X mark 4 children
Emely her X mark 6 children
George his X mark
Mose his X mark
Alexander his X mark
[[Reed?]] his X mark
Chany her X mark
Susan her X mark
Mariah her X mark
Henry his X mark
Elbert his X mark

Executed in Presence of
James. W. Bennett

Transcription Notes:
Need to complete the names and marks at the bottom of document done