People Named: Caesar Stevens, Peggy Stevens, William Stevens, John Williams, Diana Williams, Patsy Bird, Betsy West, Samson Jones, ? James Jones, Chloe Campbell, Thomas Girardeau, Kate Girardeau, Samuel Harris
[Begin Transcript]
Headquarters A.B. R.F. & A.L. for Liberty Co
May 21st 1866
I approve the within contract.
Wm. B. Gaulden
A.B.R.F.& A.L.
Duplicate
J.O. Varnedoe
State of Georgia, Liberty County }
This agreement made this [left blank] day of [left blank] between J.O. Varnedoe of the first part and the Freedmen & women of the second part, whose names are undersigned, witnesseth that they have entered into the following contract for labor on plantation of Est. B.A. Busby during the year 1866.
1st. J.O. Varnedoe of the first part pledges himself & is hereby firmly bound to furnish the dwellings necessary as the homes of the laborers, also as much land as they may need for planting and he further pledges himself to give to the Freedmen & women all they make both of provisions and cotton, over & above one third of what they make make on the place.
2nd The undersigned Freedmen & women of the second part each do pledge themselves and are hereby firmly bound to work faithfully & each to give to J.O. Varnedoe of the first part one-third of all provisions which they may make on said plantation, and also one third of whatever three disinterested men (chosen by J.O. Varnedoe of the first part and the Freedmen & women of the second part) may say the cotton will make when it begins to open freely except in the event of said cotton being [word] by storms or caterpillars.
3d. To keep in good order all buildings connected with the plantation.
4th. To furnish all necessary seed, together with the implements & teams required in planting & working the crop.
5th The Freedmen & women do further pledge themselves that at the proper season they will carefully harvest, house and prepare for market, if required, that portion of the crop claimed by J.O. Varnedoe, being one third of all that is made, as specified above.
6th. To prevent stealing & secure the property of all concerned, they do further agree that if any of them are found guilty of theft, the person so offending shall restore fourfold one half of which is to be given to informant, and upon a repetition of offence shall not only restore fourfold but be reported to the Freedmen’s Bureau.
J.O. Varnedoe of the first part
[All below signed by mark]
Caesar Stevens
Peggy Stevens
William Stevens
John Williams
Diana Williams
Patsy Bird
Betsy West
Samson Jones
? James Jones
Chloe Campbell
Thomas Girardeau
Kate Girardeau
Samuel Harris
Witnessed in presence of L.J. Mallard, W.G. Mallard
[End Transcript]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between J.O. Varnedoe & freedmen and women; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00404, U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 262-4; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.