People Named: William Jones, Thomas G. Pond
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Articles of Agreement between W. Jones and T.G. Pond, and certain freedmen of Liberty County
Liberty County, State of Georgia }
Memorandum of agreement between W. Jones and T.G. Pond, both of the county and state aforesaid, parties of the first part, and the freedmen and freedwomen whose names are hereto subscribed of the second part.
It is agreed by the parties of the first part to allow the parties of the second part to take up as much land on the plantation of the said Wm. Jones as they may want for their bona fide use in planting corn, rice, cotton, peas, potatoes or cane, subject to this restriction, that wherever land is taken up in a field previously planted it must be so done as not to derange the running of existing rows and task ditches; the lands so taken up and the crops thereon raised to be for the sole use and occupation of the parties of the second part, not subject to division, nor to the control of the parties of the first part, in any respect, during the year 1866, except in case of forfeiture of contract.
It is agreed by the parties of the first part to allow the parties of the second part to occupy, free or rent, the negro houses now in the said plantation, and the gardens thereto attached and to use the corn mills as heretofore; and to raise hogs and poultry, and to cut and burn as much wood on said plantation as they may need for their own fuel. And it is hereby agreed that the hogs and poultry so raised, and the products of the said gardens shall not be subject to any claim for division on the part of said Wm. Jones and T.G. Pond, except as above excepted.
It is agreed by the parties of the first part to give to the parties of the second part, free of charge, as much cotton seed as they may need for their bona fide planting of said staple, and to allow them to use, upon the same terms, the cotton gin now upon the said plantation; also to furnish the horses, plows and manure necessary to prepare and tend the land which the parties of the second part agree to work for the said W. Jones & T.G. Pond.
The parties of the second part agree to furnish all food and clothing necessary for themselves and families, and all agricultural implements necessary for the work of the said plantation during the year aforesaid, except the plows aforesaid; also to repair and keep in good order all fences, roads and bridges needed in said plantation; also to open and clean out and keep cleaned out all ditches which the said Wm. Jones & T.G. Pond, or either of them, deem necessary for the drainage of such land as the parties of the second part are to plant and work for the said Wm. Jones & T.G. Pond; also to clean around all fences, for the purpose of keeping off fire, and to aid in extinguishing fire whenever it breaks out; each freedman also agrees to cut and cut up, during the year aforesaid, two cords of firewood, for the use of the families of the said W. Jones & T.G. Pond whenever called upon to do so by the said Wm. Jones & Y.G. Pond or either of them.
The parties of the second part agree to prepare for planting and to plant upon such land as the said Wm. Jones & T.G. Pond or either of them shall select two acres of Sea Island cotton to each full hand, and one acre of the same to each half hand – also to load into the wagon, haul out and spread such manure as may be furnished them for said cotton land, the said Wm. Jones and T.G. Pond furnishing team and wagon – also faithfully to work, pick, sort, gin, moat, and pack the cotton so raised under the direction of the parties of the first part, the said Wm. Jones & T.G. Pond furnishing bagging, twine and teams for ginning. The parties of the second part agree to work over the said cotton crop, whenever called upon, so that it be not oftener than once in two weeks. And it is hereby agreed by the parties of the second part that the proceeds of the said cotton land shall be for the sole use of the parties of the first part, subject to no claim for division on the part of the said pirates of the second part.
The parties of the second part agree that they will not hire any person not employed on said plantation, nor allow any stragglers, idlers or vagrants around their houses, nor keep any firearms, without the knowledge and consent of the parties of the first part, but will, if called on, give up such arms, expel such stragglers, idlers and vagrants immediately, and at all times aid and assist the said Wm. Jones and T.G. Pond in putting down all disorderly proceedings upon said plantation.
It is hereby agreed that if either of the parties to this contract is detected in any act of stealing on said plantation or depredating upon any of the buildings, or fences, or stock, or other property thereto belonging, the crops, hogs and poultry thereon raised shall be forfeited, and disposed of as follows, to wit: full restitution or reparation shall be made to the party injured, one fourth of the remainder shall be given to the informer, and the remaining three fourths shall be equally divided between the aged and infirm upon the said plantation.
It is hereby agreed that in case of differences arising between the parties to this contract in regard to the manner in which the stipulations thereof are complied with, the said differences is to be left to the arbitration of three disinterested white men, the parties of the first and second part each choosing one man and those two choosing the third, whose decision the said parties of the first and second part hereby agree to abide by & cheerfully carry out.
The conditions set forth in the within contract are considered by the Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands as just equitable and property and are approved.
Nelson Bronson
1st [word] ?RC and Act Asst
Sub Commissioner
[Transcriber’s Note: Unfortunately, the signatures of the freed men and women who were signatories to this contract were not included.]
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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 W. Jones and Y.G. Pond & freedmen and women; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00358, U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 226-30; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.