People Named: C.C. Varnedoe, Byron McIntosh, Amanda McIntosh, Paul Stevens, Rinah Stevens, Andrew Stevens, Pegy [alt: Peggy] Stevens, Caesar Stevens, Dinah Stevens , Moris [alt: Morris] Fleming, Kate Fleming, Floyd McIntosh, Mattie McIntosh, Dean McIntosh, Tony West, Mary West, Joe Mallard, Elizabeth Mallard, Sharper Way, Rachel Way, March Dunwoody, Dinah Dunwoody, Toney LeCounte, Annie LeCounte, James West, Grace James, Jane James, Gershion [alt: Gershon] James
[Begin Transcript]
State of Georgia, Liberty County } April 7th 1866
We to wit C.C. Varnedoe of the first part and the Freedman and Woman of the second part whose names are undersigned do this day enter into the following contract for labour on the Liberty Hall and Claudianna plantations during the year 1866.
[Transcriber’s Note: Probably Charles Carroll Varnedoe (1843-1920). Note that the contract stated “Freedman and Woman” (not plural) throughout though it obviously should have been plural. Transcribed as seen.]
I C.C. Varnedoe of the first part do pledge myself to furnish the dwellings necessary as the homes of the labourers and also the lands for planting and to take the general supervision of the whole crop and further to give to the Freedman and Woman two thirds of what is made by their labour.
We the undersigned Freedman and Woman of the second part do pledge ourselves,
1st To work faithfully and avoid stealing quarrelling and all improper conduct on the plantation.
2nd To keep in good order all buildings used by us together with all fences around fields and pastures and roads and ditches on the plantations
3rd To furnish all the necessary seed together with the implements and team required in planting and working the crop
4th We further pledge ourselves that at the proper season we will carefully harvest and house and prepare for market that portion of the crop claimed by C.C. Varnedoe, being one third of what is made on the place by our labours.
5th That all cases of disagreement between C.C. Varnedoe of the first part and us Freedman and Woman of the second part shall be settled by three white men one chosen by C.C. Varnedoe another by ourselves and the third by the two thus selected. [NOTE: The words “and their decision shall be final” was written then stricken out.]
That as compensation for the firewood used by us during the year each man will agree to furnish C.C. Varnedoe with one cord of hard wood at his resident [“at his residence” underlined].
8th [sic] [The following was written then stricken out: “That upon the violation of any of this contract we forfeit our interest in the crop and all compensation for labour bestowed and may at the discretion of C.C. Varnedoe be sent away from the plantation.”]
C.C. Varnedoe of the first part
[all below signed by mark]
Byron McIntosh
Amanda McIntosh
Paul Stevens
Rinah Stevens
Andrew Stevens
Pegy [alt: Peggy] Stevens
Caesar Stevens
Dinah Stevens
Moris [alt: Morris] Fleming
Kate Fleming
Floyd McIntosh
Mattie McIntosh
Dean McIntosh
Tony West
Mary West
Joe Mallard
Elizabeth Mallard
Sharper Way
Rachel Way
March Dunwoody
Dinah Dunwoody
Toney LeCounte
Annie LeCounte
James West
Grace James
Jane James
Gershion [alt: Gershon] James
Signed in presence of
E. [or C.] Mallard
T.M. Bacon
[End Transcript]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between C.C. Varnedoe & freedmen and women; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00397, U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 256-8; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.