People Named: F.R. Lyons, Prime Cumming & family, Tom Cumming & son Anthony, Samuel McConnell and wife, Sam Dolly and wife, Gideon Jackson & family, Thresar Andrews, Annet [alt: Annette] Graham, Hannah Fraser, Dianah Thorpe, Josephine Ripley, Dianah Dunham, Peggy Cumming & family, Joshua King, Cato Jones & family, Joseph Roberts & wife, Edmond Andrews, Rose Robarts, Dick Low
[Begin Transcript]
State of Georgia, Liberty County } Agreement between F.R. Lyons of said county and state of the first part and the Freedmen & Women whose names are hereunto signed. The agreement witnesseth that F.R. Lyons part of first part is to control the plantation on which said freedmen & women are to work he will direct their labour whenever necessary not only in all matters connected with the crop but in making such repairs to buildings roads bridges and fencing on the plantation as in his judgment may be right and proper. Also the freedmen & women bind themselves to work faithfull to the end of the year and until the whole crop is harvested and prepared for market. The Freedmen & women further agree to feed and clothe themselves and pay their own doctor bills and furnish all necessary team and agricultural implements. Receiving at the end of the year two thirds of the crop made. It is further agreed by said freedmen and women that if at any time during the year any one of them shall fail to work according to the above agreement or shall leave in working hours without permishion [sic] he or she may be dismissed from the plantation subject to the decision of the Freedmens Bureau and shall forfeit all claim or title to any portion of the crop made.
Every mule or horse furnished by the said F.R. Lyons shall draw as one hand the feed to be deducted before division.
Signed in presence of
A.C. Dunham
F.S. Lyons
[All below signed by mark]
Prime Cumming for self and family
Tom Cumming & son Anthony
Samuel McConnell and wife
Sam Dolly and wife
Gideon Jackson & family
Thresar Andrews
Annet Graham
Hannah Fraser
Dianah Thorpe
Josephine Ripley
Dianah Dunham
Peggy Cumming & family
Joshua King
Cato Jones & family
Joseph Roberts & wife
Edmond Andrews
Rose Robarts
Dick Low
Riceboro Feby 3, 1866
Approved
Nelson B????
1st Lt O.A.S.C.
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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 F.R. Lyons & freed people; digital database, Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00322), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 192-3; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.