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[[left margin]]
Office Sub Commsr
Meridian Miss 7th Sept 1865
Approved
C W Clarke
Lieut & Sub Commissioner
[[/left margin]]

AGREEMENT WITH FREEDMEN.

This Agreement, made this Sept 4th day of Sept, A. D., 1865, by and between Thomas Thames of the County of Newton 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 [[strikethrough]] (Agree to furnish and treat them as heretofore) [[/strikethrough]]

Witnesseth, That for the purpose cultivating the plantation known as the Thomas Thames plantation in the county aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 4th day of September A. D. 1865, and terminating on the 25th day of December, 1865. The said Thomas Thames party of the first part, in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the parties of the second part, agreed 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, That in case the said Thomas Thames shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by 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 Sub Commissioner of Freedmen's Bureau. 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 Thomas Thames 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 ...... dutiful and faithful servants...; and in case any laborers shall voluntarily 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 Sub Commissioner Freedmen's Bureau shall deem proper.

It is further agreed, That any wages or share of profits due the said laborers under this agreement shall constitute a first lien upon all crops or parts of crops produced on said plantation, or tract of land, by their labor, and no shipments of products shall be made until the Sub Commissioner of Freedmen shall certify that all dues are paid or satisfactorily arranged.

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

[[3 Columned Table]]
| NAME OF MALE WORKING HANDS. | NAME OF FEMALE WORKING HANDS. | No. OF Dependents. |
| --- | --- | --- |

| Raleigh his X Mark | Ann her X Mark | 1 Frank. | |   | Eliza her X Mark |   |
|   | Frances her X Mark |   |

Thomas Thames
Executed in presence of
James Giles, and John C Ellerbee,  

Transcription Notes:
edited: completed page, read instructions on tables