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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this 18 day of Sept A.D. 1865, by and between J M Rogers of the County of Oktibbeha 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 J M Rogers Place in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the first day of January A.D. 1865, and terminating on the 1st day of January, 1866. The said J M Rogers party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the part....of the second part, agrees to furnish to the said laborers and those rightfully dependent upon 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 on the party of the first part that he will pay to the parties of the second part the one Eighth of the entire crop made and produced during the term of said labor - Except meat that is raised this year

And it is further agreed, That in the case the said J M Rogers 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_____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 part....of the second part that______will each well and faithfully perform such labor as the said J M Rogers 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 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.

J M Rogers

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