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These articles of agreement and contract made and concluded this 1st day of Jany 1866, by and between T H & H Christmas of the first part, and Primus. Pair a freedman, of the second part, Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of the payments hereinafter stated to be made, the said Primas Pair freedman agrees and binds himself to work as a plantation laborer for said from the 1st day of January 1866, to the 1st day of January, 1867, on the plantation of said Christmas in Yazoo County, Mississippi. He agrees and binds himself to render to the said Christmas 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 Christmas or his Agent, shall make.

In consideration of the faithful performance of this contract by the said Primas Pair freedmen, the said himself & family hereby obligates and binds himself to pay said sum of $300.00, per year, payable at the end of the year, and to furnish him with 3 1/2 lbs. of meat and one peck of meal per week and with good and comfortable quarters and fuel,

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

The said Christmas further agrees to require no labor of the said Primas 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 Christmas to the successful cultivation and gathering of the crop, and when said Primus & family shall be so required to labor on the afternoons of Saturdays as above stated, the said agrees either to pay said Primas & family for such extra labor, or to allow said Primas & family 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 Primus or family shall absent [[strikethrough/]]himself [[\strikethrough]]themselves without permission, or shall neglect or refuse to labor, as above stipulated, the said Christmas or his Agent, reserves the right to discharge said Primus & family, from his employ, and the said Primus & family shall forfeit all wages due him, by virtue hereof, at time of his discharge.

It is further understood and agreed that the said Christmas is to furnish all necessary medicines, and attention

Transcription Notes:
Primus and Primas - both are found on page.