People named: John B. Savage, Governour Barlow
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]
Liberty Co
Contracts
St. Catherines Island
W.A. Perry
Agent
Contract between Mr. John B. Savage of St. Catherines Isle, Ga and one Governour [alt: Governor] Barlow a Freed Laborer.
Office Agent Bureau R.F. & A.L.
For St. Cathrines [SIC] Isle, Ga.
February 1866
Approved
W.A. Perry
Agent
Know all men by these presents: That John B. Savage of St. Cathrine’s [SIC] Island of Liberty County, State of Georgia, held and firmly bound to the United States of America by these presents, in this contract; That he is to furnish the persons whose names are subjoined, (free laborers), quarters, field, healthy and substantial rations and the undersigned is to be furnished with clothing[,] rations and medical attendance by Mr. John B. Savage, free from charges. He also is to receive $5 five dollars per month in lawful currency at the end of the year, 1866.
The said persons are to labor faithfully on his plantation, six days during the week, in the manner customary on a plantation; said persons to forfeit, in whole or in part, their wages, or their interest in the crop, in case they violate this contract.
All differences to be referred to an officer or agent of the Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands for Adjustment.
[Appended was a table showing that Governour Barlow, who signed by mark, was to be paid $5 per month.]
Employer: John B. Savage, St. Cathrines Isle Ga
This contract is to commence with this date and close with the year.
Given in duplicate at St. Cathrines Island Liberty County State Ga this thirteenth day of February 1866
Witness: Edward E. Howard
T.G. Campbell Jr.
[End Transcript]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between John B. Savage at St. Catherine’s Island and Governour Barlow, freedman; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00265), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, images 144-146; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.