Rare 1866 Mississippi Printed Freedman's Bureau Labor Contract

Rare 1866 Mississippi Printed Freedman's Bureau Labor Contract. An Agreement with a former slave to work on the China Grove Plantation for one year. Freedman is named Alfred Crutchfield. Crutchfield is paid $126.75 for over 10 months of labor. 14" X8.5" single page document includes a cancelled revenue stamp. The Contract is signed by Crutchfield (with his X mark) and J. A. McDonald. Note that many key provisions of the contract are crossed out such as "To exact only 10 hours of work per day… and no labor whatever on Sundays…to be paid for extra labor… furnish the Freedman with meat, flour and salt… Also, it’s interesting to read the hand written amendments written in the margin "Said Freedman agreeing to perform any kind of labor required on the plantation. Medical attention and medicine furnished except where a physician is needed, all time lost to be deducted" This rare and important artifact documents a legal form of slavery commonly used during reconstruction. Partially transcribed: Agreement with Freedmen This agreement made and entered into this 19th day of February 1866, by and between J. A. McDonald of the County of Jefferson and the State of Mississippi of the first part, and Alfred Crutchfield, a Freedman, of the second part, Witnesseth: That for the purpose of cultivating the plantation known as China Grove in the county & State aforesaid, during the year commencing on the 19th day of February, 1866, the said parties do hereby mutually agree under such regulation as are prescribed by the General orders of the Headquarters, Department of Mississippi, and of the Freedmen’s Bureau, providing the general welfare of Freedmen, and the local rules pursuance thereof, which are hereby made part of this agreement as fully as if recited: That said J. A. McDonald for the consideration and on the conditions and stipulations hereinafter mentioned, agree to pay the said Freedmen, the sum of One hundred ($126.00) twenty six dollars and rations for the year commencing as the aforesaid & ending December 31st 1866…. Said J. A. McDonald, agree to furnish to said freedman during his continuance to labor, and for the time specified, free of charge, good and sufficient quarters; and fuel; and to see that the premises are kept in a good sanitary condition; to allot from the lands of said plantation, for garden purposes, to each family, not less than one- half acre, if desired; such allotment include a reasonable use of tools and animals; to exact only 10 hours of work in summer and nine hours per day in winter, and no Labor whatsoever on Sundays: and if any extra labor, at the same rates as agreed upon for monthly labor; to grant such Freedmen one-half of every Saturday to enable him to cultivate the garden; also to grant him the 4th of July….. It is furthermore agreed, that in case the said J. A. McDonald shall fail, neglect, or refuse to fulfil any of the obligations assumed by them, or shall be guilty of cruelty to the Freedman, they shall besides the legal recourse left by the Freedman, render this contract liable to annulment, by the authority that may be designated by the orders or regulations before named. And in case the Freedman shall voluntarily absent himself from or shall neglect or refuse to perform the labor herein contracted for, and the fact shall be satisfactorily proven, the one third of the wages due to the party so offending, retained in the hands of said J. A. McDonald shall be forfeited to them for their own use and benefit, and the party so offending shall be discharged from said employment. It is furthermore agreed, that any wages due the Freedman under this agreement shall constitute a first lien upon all the crops produced on the plantation aforesaid. In Witness Whereof, The parties hereto affix their hands on the day and year first above written. Signed in presence of------- J. A. McDonald his Alfred X Crutchfield mark