People named: C.A. Alexander, A.M. McIver, James Anderson, Di [alt: Die or Dye?] Anderson, Nanny Anderson, Holly Stevens, Hannah Cay, Plenty Cay, Clarinda Cay, William Holmes, Martha Holmes, Tenah Jones, Minnie Jones, July Jones, Cloey Jones, Nanny Alexander, Primus Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Hard [alt: Hardy?] Norman, Jane Lambert, Sampson Lambert, Harry Anderson, Mary Anderson, Daniel Jones, Margret [alt: Margaret] Jones, Sandy Jones, Aaron Harris, Mary Harris, Horace Quarterman, Nanny Quarterman, Mingo Norman
Following is a labor contract found in the U.S. Freedmen’s Bureau records of Liberty County, Georgia. (See citation at the end for full details of source.)
[Begin transcript]
Labor Contract 1867
C.A. Alexander
A.M. McIver
Agt B R F & AL
Agent
Liberty Co
Rec ?oac Feby 5th 1867
State of Georgia
Liberty County }
This indenture, made this twelfth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty seven, between C.A. Alexander (proprietor) of the 1st part & the following named freedmen of the 2nd part, witnesseth, that the proprietor agrees to furnish to each Freedman (who is a full hand) three acres of land (and to fractional hands in proportion) to be cultivated by himself or herself during the year 1867 as he or she may desire for his or her own benefit.
In return for which, each Freedman, agrees to work faithfully and diligently, two days out of each week for the proprietor, in any way he or his agent may direct – the hours of labor to be from sunrise to sunset (a reasonable time being allowed for dinner) – the days to be Monday and Tuesday of each week, unless prevented by bad weather, when the proprietor will appoint other suitable days.
While working for the proprietor, the Freedmen agree to work under his direction or the direction of his Agent of the foreman – all full hands to do the same amount of work and in the same manner as the foreman, and all fractional hands proportionally – and if the work is not done satisfactorily to the proprietor or his agent, the one thus failing shall do the work over, in his or her own time.
Any one failing or refusing to work as directed by the Proprietor or his agent, habitually or absenting himself from the Plantation or the work, during the two days to be worked for the proprietor, shall be dismissed from the plantation and forfeit his or her own crop, at the will of the proprietor. It is mutually agreed, between the Proprietor and Freedmen, that any one caught stealing from another in the plantation shall be turned off from the place, and shall forfeit his or her own crop – half of which goes to the informer and the other half to the one on whom the theft was committed.
Parents to be responsible for things stolen or damaged by their children.
The Freedmen are to be at all times under the control of the proprietor, so far as relates to peace and good order on the plantation.
If any Freedman is prevented by sickness, or other providential cause, from working for the proprietor on the appointed days, he or she shall make up the lost time on such other days as the proprietor may direct – when the disability has been removed.
The Freedmen are at all times to treat the Proprietor of his Agent with respect and obedience, and the proprietor is to treat them with kindness and consideration.
This contract is to be binding upon all parties, until the twenty fifth day of December 1867 – unless sooner dissolved by mutual consent.
In witness whereof, we the parties of the first and second part, have hereunto set our hands and seals, on the day and year above written.
Signed, after having been read to all parties on the 12th day of January 1867.
In presence of
W.M. Winn
A.M. McIver
C.A. Alexander
James Anderson [all below signed by mark]
Di [alt: Die or Dye?] Anderson
Nanny Anderson
Holly Stevens
Hannah Cay
Plenty Cay
Clarinda Cay
William Holmes
Martha Holmes
Tenah Jones
Minnie Jones
July Jones
Cloey Jones
Nanny Alexander
Primus Anderson
Sarah Anderson
Hard [alt: Hardy?] Norman
Jane Lambert
Sampson Lambert
Harry Anderson
Mary Anderson
Daniel Jones
Margret [alt: Margaret] Jones
Sandy Jones
Aaron Harris
Mary Harris
Horace Quarterman
Nanny Quarterman
Mingo Norman
[End Transcript]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County. Labor Contract for C.A. Alexander and freedmen; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00250), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, images 129-132; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.