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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN

This Agreement, made this 21st day of Aug, A.D. 1865, by and between John Morris of the County of Ponteck [[Pontotoc]], 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 John Morris place, in the Co of Ponteck [[Pontotoc]], aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said John Morris, party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part 2 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 are to receive one tenth of the crop

And it is Further Agreed, That in case the said John Morris shall fail, neglect or refuse to fulfill 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 party or parties aggrieved, render this contract liable to annulment by the Provost 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 John Morris may require of them for the time aforesaid, not exceeding ten hours per day in the summer and nine hours in the winter; and in case any laborer shall 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 shall deem proper.

In Testimony Whereof, The said parties have affixed their names to this AGREEMENT at Okolona, State of Missississippi [[Mississippi]], on the day and date aforesaid.

[[4 columned table]]
|Names|Age|No. of Dependents.|REMARKS|
|---|---|---|---|
|Pleasant & Wife|60|   |Not able to do much Diseased|
|Grace|40|4|   |
|Bobb| 17 |   |   |
|Andy| 12 |   |   |
|Daniel & Wife|33|   |   |
|/4 columned table]]

Transcription Notes:
Pontotoc is a county in Mississippi. Okolona is a town.