People Named: T.G. Campbell Jr, Joseph Lawton, Easter Lawton, Josephine Lawton, Louisa Lawton, John Lawton, Murria [or Marria] Lawton, Rachel Lawton, Alabama Lawton
[Begin transcript]
Contract between T.G. Campbell of St. Catherine’s Isle [St. Catherine’s Island], Liberty Co, Ga and eight freed laborers
Know all men by these presents: That T.G. Campbell Jr St. Catherine’s Island Liberty County, State of Georgia, held and firmly bound to the United States of America by these presents, in this contract; That he is to furnish the persons whose names are subjoined, (freed laborers,) quarters, fuel, healthy and substantial rations, and rations (1) one bushel of corn for month – 12 lbs bacon for month (½) Gal. Syrup fo rmonth (10) one lbs Tobacco per month. He is to furnish all farming implements horses mules and seeds to plant (Also medical attendance, which will be deducted from their portion of the crop). The undersigned are to receive (⅓) one third of the net proceeds of the crop.
The said persons are to labor faithfully on his plantation, six days during the week, in the manner customary on a plantation; said persons to forfeit, in whole or in part, their wages, or their interest in the crop, in case they violate this contract.
All differences to be referred to an officer or agent of the Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands for Adjustment.
Names/Age/Rate of Pay per month
Joseph Lawton/40/1/3 of crop
Easter Lawton/45/1/3 of crop
Josephine Lawton/50/1/3 of crop
Louisa Lawton/25/1/3 of crop
John Lawton/9/1/3 of crop
Murria [or Marria] Lawton/5/1/3 of crop
Rachel Lawton/3/1/3 of crop
Alabama Lawton/1/1/3 of crop
Employer: T.G. Campell Jr, St. Cathrines Isle, Ga
This contract is to commence with this date and close with the year.
Given in duplicate at St. Catherine’s Island Liberty County State of Ga this nineteenth day of February 1866
Witness: ?J. F. Winchester ?
Edward E. Howard
[End Transcript]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, 1866 Labor Contract between T.G. Campbell & Lawton family (freedpeople); digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00279), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 159; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.