Contract Between Burton W. Bellamy & Gibb Bellamy

Freedmen's Bureau Labor Records

Sharecropper Contracts

Labor Contracts

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands

Bellamy, Burton W.

State Archives of Florida, Series L346

1867-01-11

Bellamy, Gibb

contracts

eng-US

Text

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L346

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Jefferson County (Fla.)

Turkey Scratch Place (Jefferson County)

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Agreement made this 11th day of Jan[uary] A.D. 1867 Between Burton W. Bellamy and Gibb Bellamy, Freedman and a foreman (upon the plantation of the said party of the first part), of the second part, all of County of Jefferson and State of Florida. Witnesseth, That the party of the second part, in consideration of the promises and agreements on the part of said party of the first part hereinafter mentioned, agrees as follows: To take charge of that part of the plantation belonging to said B. W. Bellamy Exr and known as the Turkey Scratch Place, [no number supplied] acres, more or less, as foreman, and to employ laborers whom he will require to plant and work faithfully and industriously, according to the orders received by said foreman from said, B. W. Bellamy or his agent, until 24th day of December next. To follow, implicitly, the orders of B. W. Bellamy Exr, or his agent, in reference to the cultivation and labor to be done upon said plantation. To discharge any laborer who shall be guilty of idleness, dishonesty, disobedience of orders, or any other bad conduct, if required to do so by the party of the first part, or his agent. To take good and proper care of the mules and farming utensils, and see that the mules are not used for any purpose other than farming purposes, except to send for a physician. To become responsible to the party of the first part for wanton injury inflicted upon any mule or farming utensil entrusted to any of the employe[e]s of the said foreman. He will not use or allow any of the laborers to use or bring upon the said plantation any kind of ardent or spirituous liquors, except for medical purposes, without the permission of the party of the first part. He will not allow the gathering of persons upon said plantation without permission of said party of the first part, or his agent. He will not allow anyone to visit said plantation, unless he or they first report to the said party of the first part, or his agent, and receive permission therefor. And in consideration of the aforesaid promises and agreements, said party of the first part agrees to furnish said foreman with mules and farming utensils for the proper cultivation of said land. He also agrees to furnish said foreman with provisions for himself and those in his employment, at market prices or as per agreement, and the amount of money due said party of the first part on account thereof to be deducted from the portion or share of the crop due said foreman and his laborers at the end of the year. He also agrees to pay and turn over to the said foreman ⅓ of the cotton produced on said land by said foreman and his laborers, [words removed - saving and excepting therefrom to himself bales weighing]; also one-half of all the corn and fodder, [words removed - the sugar and syrup saved thereon [words removed - together with the whole of everything else save upon said plantation]. It is mutually understood by and between the parties hereto, that if, from any cause other than idleness or other bad conduct on the part of said foreman and his employe[e]s, or either or any of them, they should fail to make the number of bales of cotton of the weight above mentioned due to said party of the first part, the said party of the first part will pay them, in money, a reasonable compensation for their services. In case said foreman shall give just cause for his dismissal from said plantation, then and in case he shall be dismissed therefrom by said party of the first part, or his agent, any allowances due him at the time of such dismissal shall be forfeited [added - if so determined by a board of arbitration comprised of two reliable citizens and the agent of the B.R.F. & A.L.] In witness whereof, said parties hereto have hereunto set their hands and seals this day and year first written above. Burton W. Bellamy Exr. Gibb Bellamy (his X mark) Sealed and delivered in presence of S.C. Emery William Felans

State of Florida County of Jefferson I certify that this agreement was made and signed in my presence by B.W. Bellamy and Gibb Bellamy. Witness my hand and seal this 11 day of January A. D. 1867 Alfred Raysor J.P. of Des 1 No. 205 Gibb Bellamy B.W. Ballamy Portion of Crop Approved May 18th 1867 A.B. Grumwell Bt. Capt. & A. Com. B.R.F. & A.L.