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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this 5th day of June A.D, 1865, by and between Geo J Mortimer of the County of Copiah 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, 

Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Lentz place in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the fifth day of June A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said Geo J. Mortimer 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. And it is further agreed that the Two men Mechanics George Washington Cooke and Washington Lothridge shall receive Twenty dollars per month ($20) clothing excepted and an increase of wages if business of [[shop[[?]] shall justify deducting for protracted Illness &c

And it is further agreed, That in case the said Geo J Mortimer shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligation 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 Mortimer may require of them for the time aforesaid, and in every respect be dutiful and faithful servants; and in case any laborer shall voluntarily absent himself 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. 

And it is further agreed to the house servants and field hands that the said Mortimer will pay to each on the 4th day of July next and first day of January a proportion of the crop or in money as each may in his judgement merit  

In Testimony Whereof, The said parties have affixed their names to this Agreement at Capital Springs, State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid. 
Geo. J Mortimer, signs for  Geo Washington Cooke, Washington Lothridge, Bob, Ben, Becky, Cornelius, Cely, Chany, Dennis, Jack, John, Jane, Jo, Fletcher, Harry, Grace, March, Simmons, Taylor, Spencer, and Eight small children of Louisa
Geo. J. Mortimer

Executed in Presence of 
E G Cook & 
Wm. [[Henssinger?]] 

Transcription Notes:
unfinished