People Named: James Law, Elcey Law, Judith Quarterman, Grace Quarterman, Jupiter James, Venus James, Cato Phirstbird, Levia Phirstbird, Elcey Phirstbird, Clarissa Phirstbird, Louisa Phirstbird
[Begin Transcript]
State of Georgia, Liberty County } We to wit: Walter A. Way of the first part, and the Freedmen and women of the second part, whose names are undersigned do this day enter into the following contract for laboring on “Kedron” Plantation during the year 1866.
I Walter A Way of the first part do pledge myself to furnish the laborers with houses for dwellings, a mill to grind their meal, and allow them the privilege of raising hogs, and poultry as formerly.
2nd I Walter A. Way of the first part agree that I will allow the Freedmen lands to be cultivated under my special direction and control.
3rd I agree to allow the Freedmen, shall have two thirds (⅔) of all the crop, made on “Kedron” plantation.
We the Freedmen whose names are herein affixed on the second part, agree and contract.
1st. That we will labor faithfully on the lands allowed us by Walter A. Way in planting, cultivating and harvesting our crop, as he may direct in every particular.
2nd. To furnish ourselves with food, clothing, plantation implements, and the necessary seed for planting the crop.
3rd. We agree, that Walter A. Way or his heirs or assigns shall have one third (⅓) of all the crop, whatever it may be.
4th. We agree that any of us detected in “theft” on the plantation may be dismissed from the place, if Walter A. Way deems it proper.
5th We agree that any of us failing to comply with our part of the above contract shall forfeit all right and claim to any portion of the crop and can claim no compensation for any work we may have done on the place previously, to dismissal from the plantation, which we agree shall be penalty for any violation of the above contract on our part.
6th We agree that we will continue to labor faithfully until the future crop is made, harvested and prepared for market.
7th We agree that in all cases of disagreement between Walter A. Way and us Freedmen shall be settled by three (3) white men (planters), one chosen by Walter A. Way, one by ourselves, and the other by the two thus appointed, and their decision shall be final.
8th. We agree that each Freedman will furnish Walter A. Way with one cord of hard wood at his residence in Jonesville.
9th We agree that the terms proposed by Walter A. Way are perfectly fair and just, and that it meets with our approbation.
Signed
Walter A. Way of the first part
Parties of the second part:
[All below signed by mark]
James Law
Elcey Law
Judith Quarterman
Grace Quarterman
Jupiter James
Venus James
Cato Phirstbird [name not seen before but fairly clear]
Levia Phirstbird
Elcey Phirstbird
Clarissa Phirstbird
Louisa Phirstbird
Witnesses
John L. Harden
O.T. Bacon
[End Transcript]
Records of the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, Field Office Records for Georgia, Liberty County, Labor Contract between Walter A. Way & freedmen and women; digital database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139868_00380, U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878 -> Records of the Field Offices -> M1903 > 83, image 241-3; citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M1903, Roll 83.