People Named: Jno. B. Mallard, Plymouth Fraser, Milly Fraser, Starling Lambright, Simon Fraser, Toney LeConte, Judy LeConte, Elsey LeConte, Henry Porter, Rose Porter, Eve Porter, Edward Quarterman, Maria Quarterman, Lazarus Jones, Booby Houston, Rosanna Houston, May [or Mag] Fleming [identified as female: “her mark”], John McDonald, Billy Elliott, London Way, Joe Way, Amanda Way, Israel Powell, Betsey Powell, Cooper Mills, Flora Mills, Barthomy [alt: Bartholomew] Stevens
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John B. Mallard
Agrees to pay 26 Freedpeople, ⅔ of the crop, for one year’s services
App[roved]
State of Georgia, Liberty County } Memorandum of Agreement between Jno [John] B. Mallard of said County and State, of the first part, and the Freedmen and women whose names are hereto signed of the second part. This agreement witnesseth that the said Jno. B. Mallard of the first part is to manage the plantation on which the said Freedmen & women are to work and he, or his agt [agent], is to advise said Freedmen and women in all matters relating to the planting, working and harvesting of the crop. He is to allow them the privilege of planting on his plantation; the use of the negro houses, or Quarters, on the place; and the privilege of wood for all cooking & warming purposes.
The said Freedmen and women agree to take the advice of the said Jno. B. Mallard or his Agent in all matters connected with the crop; to repair and keep up the fencing, buildings, and bridges; to keep the ditches open, and to use every effort to protect the fencing and premises against their destruction by fire. The said Freedmen and women do further agree to live, as much as in them lieth, peaceably together, to conduct themselves orderly and to treat each other and the said Jno. B. Mallard and his agent with all due respect; to work the crop faithfully till it is harvested; to feed and clothe themselves and pay their doctor’s bills, receiving at the year and when the crop shall have been harvested, two thirds (⅔) and the said Jno. B. Mallard one third (⅓) of all that may have been made.
Signed in presence of
R. Cay
John E. Mann
This 3d March 1866
Jno. B. Mallard
[all below signed by mark]
Plymouth Fraser
Milly Fraser
Starling Lambright
Simon Fraser
Toney LeConte
Judy LeConte
Elsey LeConte
Henry Porter
Rose Porter
Eve Porter
Edward Quarterman
Maria Quarterman
Lazarus Jones
Booby Houston
Rosanna Houston
May [or Mag] Fleming [identified as female: “her mark”]
John McDonald
Billy Elliott
London Way
Joe Way
Amanda Way
Israel Powell
Betsey Powell
Cooper Mills
Flora Mills
Barthomy [alt: Bartholomew] Stevens
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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 John B. Mallard & freedmen and women; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00344), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 214-6; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.