People Named: William B. Gaulden, Simon Osgood, Henry Osgood, Simon Osgood Jr, Jack King, George Martin
Following is a labor contract found in the U.S. Freedmen’s Bureau records of Liberty County, Georgia. (See citation at the end for full details of source.)
[Begin Transcript]
W.B. Gaulden
Simon Osgood and
George Martin
Duplicate
Georgia
Liberty County } Agreement entered into this the 8th of June 1866 between the undersigned witnesseth; that on the first day of March 1866 a contract was entered into between Wm. B. Gaulden of the one part and Simon Osgood and his two minor sons Henry and Simon the first aged about (13) thirteen and the 2d aged about 12 and his step son Jack King aged about 25 years and George Martin aged about 27 years of the 2d part by which they were to labor on said Gaulden’s plantation Ricehope [alt: Rice Hope] in said county for the balance of the year 1866 they to receive one third of the crop for their services, and said Gaulden two thirds in certain conditions, and whereas said Jack King for some two months since abandoned his contract and left said plantation and went to parts unknown without provocation and on account of which it has become impossible for said parties of the second part to perform their part of this contract and whereas said Gaulden has since the making [of] said contract furnished ploughs horse and [word] and hands and fed them, to the extent of seventy four days ploughing and has [word] and [word]. In consideration of the aforesaid; said Freedmen bind & obligate themselves to work faithfully under the direction of said Gaulden on said plantation Rice Hope until the first of January 1867 when this contract is to end. That they will obey his orders faithfully and not leave the place without his consent and when not engaged in the crop will be busily employed in improving & repairing said place, house, fences etc.
Should said freedmen refuse to work as aforesaid or be caught shirking they forfeit all claim in the crop. Said Gaulden agrees to advance the necessary corn to feed said freedmen, which they are to return when their crops are gathered. And also pay for any meat he may advance as also [word] the corn he has already advanced them.
They to feed and clothe themselves and pay their own medical bills. In witness of which we have hereunto put our hands the day & year first within. In presence of
Thos. H. Hooker
Wm. B. Gaulden
[Below signed by mark]
Dick [last name illegible]
Simon Osgood for
[Simon?] & George & Henry
George Martin
Approved June 8th 1866 E. Yulee
Agent B.R.F.& A.L.
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Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, 1866 Labor Contract between William B. Gaulden & Simon Osgood and George Martin; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00285), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 163-165; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.