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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this 21 day of June A.D, 1865, by and between J.J. Lackey 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 Lackey place in the county aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 21 day of June A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866.  The said J.J. Lackey 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.

The undersigned black people herein agree to remain and labor as heretofore, for the consideration above mentioned, to wit, food, clothing and medical attendance.

And it is further agreed, That in case the said J.J. Lackey 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 J.J. Lackey 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.

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

Wash his x mark  Eliza her x mark five children, Ike his x mark  Brit his x mark; Jinnie her x mark six children, Calvin his x mark  Jacob his x mark  Jane her x mark 1 child, Kitty her x mark 2 children  Vina her x mark
J J  Lackey

Executed in Presence of
James W Bennett