They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Post-War Labor Contract – Nicholas Brown and Jake Bacon (1867)

People Named: Nicholas Brown, Jake 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.)

[Begin Transcript]

Contract of
Nicholas Brown
With
Jake Bacon

An Agreement between Nicholas Brown of Walthourville Liberty Co. Georgia of the one part and Jake Bacon of said County and State of the other part.

Witnesseth that the said Nicholas Brown of the first past hereby agrees to pay to the said Jake Bacon of the second part the sum of sixty dollars in United States currency which sum is to be paid on eight day of January 1868 also to give said Jake Bacon two suits of clothes one suit during the summer of 1867 and the other suit during the winter of 1867 such suit to be of the kind usually given to labourers working on Plantations, in addition the said Nicholas Brown agrees to board said Jake for one year commencing on 7th day of January 1867 and ending 6th day of January 1868.

For and in consideration

That the said Jake Bacon will work for him for one year commencing on 7th day of January 1867 and ending 6th day of January 1868 the said Jake Bacon to do any kind of work usually performed on a plantation.

And it is further agreed that if the said Jake Bacon shall lose any time from work by reason of sickness or any cause whatever in that case the said Nicholas Brown shall have power to charge said Bacon with the same to be deducted out of any money that may be due to him.

And it is further agreed if the said Jake Bacon should at any time during the said year refuse or neglect to work for said Nicholas Brown as heretofore agreed on in that case it shall be lawful for said Nicholas Brown to retain any money which may be due to him the said Jake Bacon for so refusing or neglecting to work for him and to discharge him.

In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto affixed their names this 8th day of January 1867.

Nicholas Brown
Jake Bacon [his mark]

In presence of E. Yulee

Approved this Jany 28th 1867 with the understanding that previous to any dismissal the case shall be brought up for decision by the Bureau.

E. Yulee
Agent B R F & A L

[End Transcript]

Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between Nicholas Brown and Jake Bacon; digital database, Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00330), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 200-202; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.