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Agreement with Freedmen.

THIS AGREEMENT, made this 28th day of December A.D., 1865, by and between B.F. Fortner of the County of Hinds and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and the undersigned Freedmen parties of the second part.

WITNESSETH, That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as the Scarbrough Field in the County aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 1st day of January A. D., 1866, and terminating on the 31st day of December A. D. 1866. The said B.F. Fortner 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 [[strikethrough]] and those rightfully dependent upon them, [[/strikethrough]] free of charge, [[strikethrough]] clothing and food of good quality and sufficient quantity [[/strikethrough]] 3 1/2 lbs meat and one peck meal pr week x; good and sufficient quarters; [[strikethrough]] medical attendance when necessary, [[/strikethrough]] and kind and humane treatment; to allot from the lands of said plantation, for garden purposes, one acre to each [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] one; such allotment to include a reasonable use of tools and animals for the cultivation of the same; to exact only a half a day's labor on Saturdays, and none whatever on Sundays. And it is further agreed that the said Freedmen shall furnish their own clothing and pay for all Medical services rendered to them and in case that the said B. F. Fortner shall furnish any thing more than is mentioned in this contract that it shall be retained out of their wages when it becomes due ------ 

AND IT IS FURTHER AGREED, That if the said B. F. Fortner shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any obligation assumed by him, or shall furnish said parties of the second part with insufficient food [[strikethrough]] or clothing, [[/strikethrough]] 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 proper officer. 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 B F Fortner may require of them for the time aforesaid, not exceeding ten hours per day in summer and nine hours in winter, and in case any laborer 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 the manner provided by law and orders.
IT IS FURTHER AGREED, That any wages or share of profit due the said laborer 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.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, The said parties have affixed their names to this agreement, at Home, Hinds County State of Mississippi, on the day and date aforesaid. 
B. F. Fortner

[[4 column table]]
| NAMES | AGE | Monthly rate of wages [[strikethrough]] or interest in crop. [[/strikethrough]] | REMARKS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

| Preston Conor his x mark | 33 years | 12.00 pr month | The said Freedmen agree that if they are confined by sickness of or otherwise for a longer period than three days at one time that the wages shall be deducted in proportion to the hire |
| Ann Mosely her x mark | 25 years | 10.00 pr month |   |