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These articles of agreement and contract made and concluded this 8th day of January, 1866, by and bewteen S. Lester Barksdale of the first part, and the undersigned freedmen and freedwomen of the second part, Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of the payments herinafter stated to be made, the said undersigned freedmen and freedwomen agree and bind themselves to work as plantation laborers for said S. Lester Barksdale from the 8th day of January 1866, to the 1st day of January, 1867, on the plantation of said S. Lester Barksdale in Yazoo County Mississippi. The undersigned freedmen and freedwomen agree and bind themselves to render to said S. Lester Barksdale during said year, (1866) respectful, obedient, and faithful labor, and to labor from sunrise until after sunset, of each day, under such plantation regulations as the said S. Lester Barksdale or his Agent shall make. On consideration of the faithful performance of this contract by the undersigned freedmen and freedwomen the said S. Lester Barksdale hereby obligates and binds himself to pay the undersigned freedmen and freedwomen the amount set opposite their respective names, first payment 1 st July 1866 payable half yearly and to furnish each male and female adult with 3 1/2 lbs. of meat one peck of meal molasses and salt per week, and with good and comfortable quarters and fuel, and to supply each undersigned freedmen with clothing as follows: in march one shirt one pair pants of lowels & one pair shoes in August one shirt one pair pants of lowels, and in November one coat one pair pants of Janes one shirt of lowels & one pair shoes and to supply each of the undersigned freedwomen with clothing as follows, in March one dress one chemise of lowels one pair shoes, in August one dress one chemise of lowels, and in November one dress of linsey, one chemise one undershirt of lowels & one pair shoes. The said S. Lester Barksdale further agrees to Keep constantly on hand meat, meal, and salt, which he hereby binds himself to furnish the undersigned freedmen & freedwomen in sufficient quantity over and above their rations as stated, at current market price. The said S. Lester Barksdale further agrees to require no labor of the undersigned freedmen & freedwomen from 12 A.M. Saturdays until the Mondays following, except attention to stock, and except further, that when work and labor shall be deemed indispensable by the said J. Lester Barksdale to the successful cultivation and gathering of the crop, [[bottom margin]] Approved L.P. Woodworth Lieut and Sub Com Yazoo City Miss Jany 13th/66 [[/bottom margin]]
Transcription Notes:
I believe that "lowel" clothing refers to the cloth made at the Lowell Mills factory in Massachusetts - I suspect this particular farmer might have been doing business with the company The word is actually "Lowells". Seen on other contracts.