People Named: Joseph L. Way, Cuffee Bacon, John Bacon, Margaret Bacon, Charlotte Bacon
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.)
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Articles of Agreement Between Certain Color’d People and Joseph L. Way
State of Georgia, Liberty County } Articles of agreement made and entered into this January Twenty Second in the year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Six, between the freed people whose names are hereunto set, and Joseph L. Way of said County and State, witnesseth that the said freed people for the considerations hereinafter expressed have, and by these presents do give as follows, First, that they will labor on the plantation of the said Joseph L. Way in the capacity of tillers of the soil for and during the present year until the harvest of the crop which they on the said plantation shall grow, said crop to consist of corn, cotton, peas, potatoes and the phrase tillers of the soil shall be construed to comprehend all work necessary to be done on a farm, and in repairing and keeping in good order, fences, barns, and the houses occupied by the said freed people. Second that the said Joseph L. Way may point out the lands to be planted and tilled by the said freed people, and himself or agent superintend the work to be done. Third that they will furnish their own provisions, medicines and farming utensils and pay their own doctor bills for the year. Fourth that they will furnish all the seed necessary to plant the said plantation. Fifth that they will not injure, destroy or to otherwise interfere with any property found on the said plantation belonging to the said Joseph L. Way without his consent. Sixth that if they lose any time from sickness or otherwise in consequence of which the crop would suffer for work if the same was not made up afterward they hereby agree to make good all such losses by employing other laborers. Seventh that they will be kind and courteous to the said Joseph L. Way and work for the promotion of his interest as well as their own, whilst they continue in his employ. And the said Joseph L. Way for and in consideration of the above covenant and agreement, doth hereby covenant and agree on his part as follows: First that the freed people hereby employed shall have as compensation for their labor two thirds of the entire crop by them to be made on my plantation this present year except [word] be furnished by them or me, sufficient to do the necessary plowing in said case I will feed the ?horse? if furnished by me, one half the time it is actually employed in the said crop. And shall require them to do likewise if furnished by myself, and in this event allow them one half only of the said crop. Second that I will allow the said freed people to occupy the houses on my plantation, see that they are not interfered with in the least by disinterested persons, advise them in case of sickness, and give them necessary medicines that I may have, allow them to take fruit from my trees and wood from my lands necessary to do their cooking and warm them and their horses but no more, and the said freed people & the said Joseph L. Way do mutually agree that in case they shall fail to settle any dispute or other difficulty that may arise, the same shall be submitted to the judgment & award of three disinterested white men, and that they will be bound by whatever decision said arbitrators may make. In testimony whereof the said freed people and the said Joseph L. Way have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written in presence of ??T G ?? Way.
Joseph L. Way
Cuffy [alt: Cuffee] Bacon
John Bacon [seems to be lined out]
Margaret Bacon
Charlotte Bacon
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Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between Joseph L. Way & Cuffy, Margaret and Charlotte Bacon, freed people; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00268), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, images 147-151; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.