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These articles of agreement and contract made and concluded this 3d day of January 1866, by and between M. Kayes of the first part, and Esther Kayes a freedwoman, of the second part, Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of the payments hereinafter stated to be made, the said Esther Kayes freed [[strikethrough]] man [[/strikethrough]] woman agrees and binds [[strikethrough]] him [[/strikethrough]] herself to work as a plantation laborer for said Kayes from the 1st day of January, 1866, to the 1st day of January, 1867, on the plantation of said Kayes in Yazoo County, Mississippi. He agrees and binds himself to render to said Kayes during said year, (1866,) respectful, obedient and faithful labor, and to labor from daylight until dark, of each day, under such plantation regulations as the said Kayes, or his Agent, shall make.

In consideration of the faithful performance of this contract by the said Esther Kayes freed [[strikethrough]] man [[/strikethrough]] woman, the said Kayes, hereby obligates and binds himself to pay said Esther Kayes the sum of $48 per year payable at the end of the year, and to furnish him [[strikethrough]] with 3 1/2 lbs. [[strikethrough]] unlimited of meat and unlimited one peck of meal per week and with good and comfortable quarters and fuel, Clothing as folows in April a [[Chemise?]] 1 Dres of Lowelles 1 Pair of shoes in November [[Chemise?]] 1 Dress of ? Linsy & skirt & 1 pair of shoes 

The said Kayes further agrees to keep constantly on hand meat, meal, and salt which he hereby binds himself to furnish said Esther K in sufficient quantity, over and above his ration as stated, at current market price.

The said Kayes further agrees to require no labor of the said Esther K from twelve M Saturdays until the Mondays following except attention to stock, and except further, that when work and labor may be deemed indispensable by the said Kayes to the successful cultivation and gathering of the crop, and when said Esther K shall be so required to labor on the afternoons of Saturdays as above stated, the said Kayes agrees to either pay said Esther K for such extra labor, or to allow said Esther K an equal amount of time for his own use, out of laboring days when the situation and condition of crop and plantation will permit.

It is further agreed that in case the said Esther K, shall absent himself without permission, or shall neglect or refuse to labor, as above stipulated, the said Kayes, or his Agent, reserves the right to discharge said Esther K, from his employ, and the said Esther K shall forfeit all wages due [[strikethrough]] him, [[/strikethrough]] her, by virtue hereof, at time of [[strikethrough]] his [[/strikethrough]] her discharge.

It is further understood and agreed that the said Kayes is to furnish all necessary medicines, and attention when sick to said Esther K, but is not to be responsible for doctor's bills of said, ______ . It is further agreed that said Esther K., is to suffer a PRO-RATA deduction from his wages for all time lost by him through negligence, indolence or 

Transcription Notes:
Lowell's and Linsey were fabrics of the times Edited - added strikethroughs