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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.
This Agreement, made this 21st day of August A.D, 1865, by and between C.C. Thornton of the County of Hinds and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the person hereinafter named and undersigned, Freedmen of the same place, party hereto of the second part, 
WITNESSETH, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Thornton Place in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 1st day of June A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said C.C. Thornton party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the party 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 it is further agreed, That in case the said C.C. Thornton shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by him, or shall furnish party 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 party of the second part that they will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said C C. Thornton may require of them for the time aforesaid, not exceeding ten hours per day in summer and nine hours per day in winter, and in every respect be 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 of Freedmen shall deem proper.

In Testimony whereof, the said parties have affixed their names to this Agreement, at Home Hinds Co., State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid.
C.C. Thornton

Dependants
Sophy girl aged 14    
Milton boy aged 9  
Rufus boy aged 6
Harriet girl aged 4
Burrell boy aged 3
Terrel boy aged 2
Martha girl aged 13
Hester girl 10
Amy girl 6
Melissa girl 4
Helen girl 10
Terrel man aged 39 X
Lucy woman aged 40 X
Sarah woman aged 38 X
Mary woman aged 38 X
Louisa woman aged 70 X

Executed in Presence of 
C.J. Broom
J. C. Ross