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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN. 

This Agreement, made this 8th day of July, A.D., 1865, by and between E.C. McLelland [[Note]] of the Cty of Kemper and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the person hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, part 2nd hereto of the second part, McMillan Henderson
Witnesseth, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Plantation of E.C McLelland in the City and State aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 8th day of July, A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said E.C. McLelland party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the part 2nd 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. 

E.C. McLelland agrees to pay the 2nd part (viz) Bob, Ben, Tony, Olmstead, Isaac, Frank and Adaline 150 bushels corn and half an acre sugar cane and allow them half of the day every other Saturday.

And it is further Agreed, That in case the said E. C. McLelland shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfill any of the obligations assumed by him, or shall furnish said part 2nd 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 part 2nd of the second part that they will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said E.C. McLelland 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 obt 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 so offending shall be punished in such manner as the Provost Marshal shall deem proper. 

Robt his X mark Ben his X mark Toney his X mark Olmstead his X mark Isaac his X mark Frank his X mark Adaline her X mark
Ruth & Silvy & Cav & Siddy and 11 children agree to work for their vitals[[?]] and clothes

In Testimony Whereof, The said parties have affixed their names to this Agreement at Blackwater Cty, State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid.
6 men
///// women
11 children
Names of 2nd part
Bob, Ben, Toney, Olmstead Isaac Frank and Adaline

Executed in presence of 
Mc.M. Hudson 
W. Richmond.
J.F. McLelland

Transcription Notes:
[[Note]]: E.C. McLelland -> Elias Calvin McLelland, b. abt. 1809, lived in Kemper Co., MS. There are no Lelland families there, or similar spelling. **McMillan Hudson - Mc.M. Hudson age 30 in 1860. **Previous image page has the wrong last name. Should be McLelland. Look at my note above.