Contract, dated 1865 June 8, made with 28 male and female former slaves for the growing of cotton on the "Plains" plantation in Fayette, Jefferson County, Mississippi. The laborers committed to working every day "from sun to sun," except Sunday, with other possible days off. They were to be paid one quarter of the net proceeds for the crop. The contract was witnessed by O.H. McGinty[?] and signed by executors E.G. Woods and Stephen Ireland; the last name of the deceased owner is illegible. Surnames of the freedmen include: Wilson, Thompson, Digg, Turner, Lonsway, Hatton, Clement, Willis, Payne, West, Blair, Garner, Kelley, Arran, and Johnson. The laborers range in age from 17 to 68. Fifteen children living on the plantation are listed as dependents on the back of the contract. The document was recorded by the sub-commissioner for the Freedmen's Department in Jefferson County, A.M. Brobst[?], on 1865 August 28, with notes regarding the executors, the contract's attachment to a lien, and $45 taxes paid on 15 laborers on August 21. The contract was completed using iron gall ink; there is some associated corrosion of the paper.
