Contract Between Thomas M. Sloan & Jolly Gardner, Butler Gardner, et.al.

Freedmen's Bureau Labor Records

Sharecropper Contracts

Labor Contracts

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands

Sloan, Thomas M.

State Archives of Florida, Series L346

1867-01-08

Gardner, Jolly

Gardner, Butler

Everitt, Clarissa

Everitt, Ginny

Williams, Dick

Brannen, Henry

Mcghee, Elie

contracts

eng-US

Text

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L346

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Jefferson County (Fla.)

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State of Florida Jefferson County These articles of and contract made and entered into this the Eighth day of January, Eighteen hundred and Sixty-Seven, by and between Thomas M. Sloan, a planter of and in the county and state aforesaid, of the first part and Freedmen and laborers of the second part. Witnesseth that the said party of the first part have contracted and agreed and by these presents do contract and agree to furnish as much land as the said Freedmen aforesaid of the second part can cultivate in cotton, corn and such other produce as is usually planted on similar lands, to furnish all necessary farming implements and stock (mules or horses) sufficient to cultivate the land that may be assigned to the said Freedmen of the second part, to furnish provender for said stock and have the same fed and taken care of when not actually engaged at work in the farm and said

party of the first part for and in consideration that the said Freedmen of the second part shall and by these presents do accept and agree to the foregoing terms, promises, conditions and obligations, and shall faithfully adhere thereto and diligently, industriously, continuously, and skillfully labor in the preparation of the soil, the planting, cultivation, harvesting and preparing the crop or crops on the same for and during the year Eighteen hundred and Sixty-Seven, do further contract, covenant, and agree to pay and deliver unto them the said Freedmen of the second part One Third of all they can make, it being understood and agreed by and between the said parties that the said Freedmen parties of the second part are to be furnished with house room and provisions (that is, 150 lbs. bacon & 13 bushels corn for each full hand), and the said Freedmen as aforesaid of the second part have contracted and agreed and by these presents do contract and agree to accept and faithfully adhere to the foregoing terms, promises, conditions, obligations and covenants of the said party of the first part and by these presents do bind themselves to labor in accordance therewith for the period therein specified to the best of their skill and ability and they further promise, contract, and agree to be careful with the stock and implements entrusted to their care and to be responsible for any loss or damage to the same arising from their fault, neglect, or mismanagement, or the fault, neglect, or mismanagement of either of them, and they further promise and agree to be respectful at all times to the party of the first part and agree to obey all orders coming from them, which they may

have the right to give in relation to the general management of the stock and farm on the plantation where they the said Freedmen shall work and they the said Freedmen further contract, covenant, and agree that in the event any one of their number shall become disabled or shall fail, neglect, or refuse to perform his just portion of the labor necessary to the thorough cultivation and secure harvesting of the crop or crops on the land assigned as aforesaid, those of their number who shall remain faithful to their promises and covenants hereinbefore mentioned shall have the privilege of hiring such labor as may be necessary to supply the deficiency and to pay for the same out of his or her interest in the crop, and in the event of their failure, neglect, or refusal promptly so to do, then the said party of the first part shall have the privilege and authority to procure such necessary labor, and to pay for the same out of anything that may be due to the said parties of the second part. In witness whereof we hereto sign our hands and affix our various seals in presence of M. H. Strain J. W. Walker State of Florida Jefferson County T. M. Sloan [seal] Jolly Gardner [his X mark] [seal] Butter Gardner [his X mark] [seal] Clarissa Everitt [her X mark] [seal] Ginny Everitt [X] [seal] Dick Williams [X] ]seal] Jesse Walker came personally before me and made oath that the above contract was read and explained to the laborers & that they voluntarily executed it in his presence. J. W. Walker Sworn to and subscribed before me January 10, 1867. M. H. Sloan Judge of Probate

Henry Brannon [his X mark] Elic McGhee [his X mark] Attest J. K. Long It is further agreed that should any differences arise between the parties to this contract which cannot be mutually [settled], the same to be submitted to a board of arbitration composed of a reliable citizen selected by each of the contracting parties, and the agent of the B. R. F. & A. Lands, whose decision will be final. by order of Col. J. T. Sprague [?] Dist. of Fla. A.B. Grumwell Bt. Capt. & S. A. Com B.R.F. & A.L. No. 238 Thos. Sloan & Freedmen Portion of Crops Approved August 26, 1867 A.B. Grumwell Bt. Capt. & S.A. Com. B. R. F. & A. L.