Freedmen's Labor Contract with Thomas D. Clement

Date: 17 Aug 1865 to 1 Jan 1866
Location: Hinds, Mississippi, United States
Surname/tag: Clement

Introduction

Following Emancipation, it was common for former slave owners to draw up contracts with their former slaves in order to coerce their former slaves to continue their labor with minimal compensation. These contracts were governed and overseen by the Freedmen's Labor Bureau.

This record comes from Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the state of Mississippi, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands^[1]

Text of Agreement

Agreement with Freedmen This agreement made this 17th day of August AD1865 by and between Thos D. Clement of the county of Hinds and State of Mifsifsippi of the first part and the persons herein after named and undersigned freedmen of the same place [? frastice] of the second part. [? Withissith], that for the purpose of laboring upon the farm known as the Clement Farm in the county and state aforesaid untill the first day of January next. The said Thos D. Clement, party of the first part in consideration of the promises and conditions hereinafter mentioned on the part of the persons of the second part agrees to furnish the undersigned Freedmen and those rightfully dependent upon them (to wit) Cinthia, Dicy & Charles, free of charge, clothing, food & sufficient quarters, medical attendance [illeg] [illeg] kind & [illeg] treatment and four [illeg] of corn more or less as agreed upon by the parties. And Manerva & two children free of charge clothing & food of [illeg] [illeg] sufficient quantity & quality, goods sufficient quantity medical attendance when necessary [illeg] kind and humane treatment.

And it is further agreed that in case the said Thos. D. Clement should fail [illeg] [illeg] to fulfill any of the obligations as promised by him, they the said parties of the second part shall besides the legal recourse left them render this contract liable to annulment by the Provost Marshal of the Freedmen. And it is agreed on the part of the parties of the second part that they will each will and faithfully [page break] perform such labor as the said Clement may require of them for the time aforesaid except Saturday one half a days labor, not to exceed ten hours in summer and nine in winter, and in case any laborer shall voluntarily absent from or shall neglect or refuse to perform the labor hereinafter promised, and the fact shall be proven to the satisfaction of the proper officer to the party so offending shall be punished in such manner as the Provost Marshal of Freemen may deem proper.

[illeg] testimony whereof the said parties have affirmed their names to this agreement at [obscured] residence of said Clement in the county of Hinds & State of Mifsifsippi on the day and date aforesaid.

• Cynthia (b. ~1805)
  • Dicy (b. ~1831)
  • Charles (b. 1833)
• Manerva
  

Dependents
Names Age

• Jim Clement (b. ~1853) 12
  
• Tom Clement (b. ~1853) 12
  
• Derril (b. ~1862) 3
  

Infant (b. May 1865) Not enslaved

Executed in the presence of: M.L. Clement
J. T. Smith

Sources

1. ↑ "United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TD-P98W-Q?cc=2427901&wc=73RQ-33H%3A1513902402%2C1514209201 : 23 March 2017), Mississippi > Roll 46, Labor contracts of freedmen, Aug 1865 > image 1105 of 1426; citing multiple NARA microfilm publications; Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861 - 1880, RG 105; (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1969-1980). Actual image: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TD-P98W-Q?i=1104&cc=2427901