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AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this 16th day of September, A.D. 1865, by and between William Bell 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 William Bells Place in the County 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 William Bell, 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; And it is further agreed on the party of the first part that he will pay to the parties of the second part one Tenth of the entire crop (with pork encluded) made during the term of said year

And it is Further Agreed, That in case the said William Bell shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfill 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 William Bell 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.

In Testimony Whereof, The said parties have affixed their names to this AGREEMENT at near Starkville, State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid. 
Wm Bell

[[5 column table]]
| NAME. | Age. | No. of Dependents. | [[strikethrough]] REMARKS. [[/strikethrough]] Dependant | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles x | 70 |  | Spencer | 10 |
| Vina x | 60 |  | Mary | 8 |
| Isaac x | 60 |  | William | 6 | 
| Simon x | 50 |  | Laura | 7 |
| Lisa x | 45 |  | Issabela | 2 |