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Agreement with Freedmen.

This Agreement, made this 21 day of June A.D, 1865, by and between Wm. Price 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 second part, of the second part, 

Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Price Place in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 21st day of June A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said Wm Price 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 upon 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; 

The undersigned black people have this day agreed to stay and work for the above consideration

And it is further agreed: That in case the said Wm Price shall fail, neglect or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by him, 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 particular 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 he will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said Wm Price 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 themselfes 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 , State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid.

David his x mark Eliza her x mark two children
Felix his x mark Eliza her x mark four children
Janie her x mark Mariah her x mark five children
[[strikethrough]] Eliza [[/strikethrough]] her mark 
Candace her x mark
Bill his x mark

Wm Price

Executed in Presence of
James W Bennett