People Named: M.H. Bird, James W. Bird, I.L. Bird, R.P. Bird, Frances Bird
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State of Georgia, Liberty County }
January 1st 1866
Memorandum of agreement between the heirs of J.R. Bird late of the aforesaid state & county deceased party of the first part and a certain freed woman whose named is hereunto subscribed and her children of the second part. This agreement witnesseth that said heirs doth agree to feed clothe and (nurse when sick) said freed woman and her eight children for twelve months or until Jan. 1st 1867.
Said freed woman on her part doth agree to faithfully perform all work or labour which may be assigned to her by said heirs.
Said freed woman doth further agree to render both her own and also her children’s services to said heirs from time to time as may be required by said heirs. Said freed woman doth also obligate to secure to said heirs until Jan 1st 1867 the personal services of all of her children. The said heirs doth further agree to pay said freed woman at the close of the present year in addition to the compensation above stated the sum of ($50) fifty dollars.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hand and affixed our seal.
We certify that the above agreement was read to said freed woman by us and duly signed and sealed in our presence.
John P. Mell
S.B. Rustin
M.H. Bird
James W. Bird
I.L. Bird
R.P. Bird
Frances Bird [signed by mark]
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[Transcriber’s Note: Frances Bird (33) was found in the 1870 Liberty County census in household with Simon Bird (21), Delia Bird (19), Andrew Bird (17), Nelms [or Nelus] Bird (15), Alexander Bird (13), Joseph Bird (11), Anna Bird (9), and Laura Bird (5), living near the household of Israel L. Bird, a white farmer and one of the signatories of the above labor contract.]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between heirs of J.R. Bird & freedmen and women; digital database, Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00368, U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 235-; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.