Viewing page 4 of 262

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

OBLIGATION

The Undersigned, J Jenkins Mikell does hereby solemnly promise and engage, that he will secure to the Refugees and Freedmen now resident on his Edisto Island Estate, the crops of the past year, harvested or unharvested; also, that the said Refugees and Freedmen shall be allowed to remain at their present houses or other homes on the island, so long as the responsible Refugees and Freedmen (embracing parents, guardians and other natural protectors,) shall enter into contracts, [[strikethrough]] by leases or [[strikethrough]] for wages or their equivalent in terms satisfactory to the Supervising Board.

Also, that the undersigned will take the proper steps to enter into contracts with the above described responsible Refugees and Freedmen, the latter being required on their part to enter into said contracts on or before the 15th day of February 1866 or surrender the right to remain on the said estate.  it being understood that if they are unwilling to contract after the expiration of said period, then the Supervising Board is to aid in getting them homes and employment elsewhere. -

Also, that no obstacle shall be interposed by the undersigned, to schools sanctioned by the Supervising Board, or by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.

But nothing in this instrument shall be so construed as to relieve the above mentioned persons from the ordinary judicial consequences of crime and misdemeanor. 

Neither the land owners nor the Refugees and Freedmen will be obligated by this instrument beyond one year from this date, unless the instrument be renewed.

Witness
S A Smith

J Jenkins Mikell