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have until the close of the year 1865, though he had no use for her such as justify him in giving her any wages, but that he would then hire her for the next year  1866, and consequently this agreement thus alleged to have been made in Nov. 1865 to extend to Jany 1867 was, as a verbal agreement merely, void under the Virginia statute declaring all contracts void at law which extended over a period of more than twelve months, unless reduced to writing at the time, a law which has been operation in Virginia for more than half a century. It is perhaps also more frank to say that the consideration of the contract was greatly inadequate, though this point was claimed necessary in reaching the conclusion to set it aside as void and of no effect.
With these explanatory remarks, as the Plt desires to take an approve the case is respectfully forwarded  submitted
N.H. Massie
Statement of JH Massie
member of Freedmen Court of Albemarle Co in the case of
David M Diggs
Vs
Jane Starke (freedwoman)