People Named: Roswell King, Junius Williams, Joshua Williams, Alan Williams, John Steward [alt: Stewart], Beck Steward, Sack Steward, Miles Wright, Patty Wright, Henry Grosvenor, Sarah Grosvenor, Jagen [?Jacob] Harris, Fanny Harris, Willie Bradwell, Nancy Polite, Cain Polite, Anna Polite, Horace Mallard
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Agreement with Laborers at South Hampton Liberty County Ga
January 14th, 1867
It is agreed between Roswell King and the laborers whose names will be hereafter affixed in the manner following to wit:
The said Laborers covenant and agree to live peaceably and honestly on the plantation known as South Hampton to labor for the said Roswell King.
In putting the place in order for planting each hand will work two (2) days in each week for the interest of the said Roswell King and three (3) days for their own interest and if the said Laborers will work on the sixth day, the said Roswell King will pay for the work done on that day. All [word] for mutual benefit will be equally divided.
In planting, cultivating and harvesting the crop, the said Laborers will work two (2) days in each week for the interest of the said Roswell King until his crop be harvested in. The days of work shall be Monday and Tuesday. The hours of work shall be from half hour sun up to 12 no. and from 1 pm to half hour before sun down. If the said Laborers are prevented by sickness or any cause whatever from working on the above named days they shall work any other two days that may be chosen by the said Roswell King.
Each full hand will do a full days work and fractional hands in proportion. All work must be well done.
Any laborer refusing to work as aforesaid or absenting himself of herself from the plantation on work days shall forfeit his or her crop and be compelled to leave.
Parents will be held responsible for things stolen or damaged by their children.
The said Roswell King agrees to furnish the said Laborers houses to live in and three (3) acres of planting land to each full hand and the fractional hands in proportion. Also to furnish working tools axes, hoes and spades) retaining one third interest in same and they paying the said Roswell King for two thirds their value. No tool will be allowed to be carried off the place and if lost or broken thru carelessness the same to be replaced at the expense of such person so breaking or losing such tool.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals day and year first-written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Jas A.M. King, W.C. Lewis
Examined & approved at Riceboro February 9 1867
A M McIver
Agt B R F & A L
Roswell King
[all below signed by mark]
Junius Williams 1
Joshua Williams 1
Alan Williams ¾
John Steward [alt: Stewart] 1
Beck Steward 1
Sack Steward ¾
Miles Wright 1
Patty Wright ¾
Henry Grosvenor 1
Sarah Grosvenor ½
Jagen [?Jacob] Harris ¾
Fanny Harris 1
Willie Bradwell 1
Nancy Polite ½
Cain Polite 1
Anna Polite ¾
Horace Mallard 1
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Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between Roswell King & freed people; digital database, Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00313), U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 185-6; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.