This contract represents a typical arrangement between Black laborers and a White planter during the early years of Reconstruction. In it, the workers are paid wages, rather than with the proceeds of a share of the crop. The Freedmen’s Bureau agent who oversaw the negotiation of this contract likely helped the freedpeople earn more in wages than they would have without his help.

Bureau R. F. & A. L.

Office Asst. Comr. State Office

Augusta, Ga.

March 13, 1866 

State of Georgia

Wilkes County 

This agreement entered into this the 9th day of January 1866 between Clark Anderson & Co. of the State of Mississippi, County of (blank) of the first part and the Freedmen whose names are annexed of the State and County aforesaid of the second part. 

Witnesseth that the said Clark Anderson & Co. agrees to furnish to the Freed Laborers whose names are annexed quarters, fuel and healthey rations. Medical attendance and supplies in case of sickness, and the amount set opposite their respective names per month during the continuation of this contract paying one third of the wages each month, and the amount in full at the end of the year before the final disposal of the crop which is to be raised by them on said Clark Anderson & Co. Plantation in the County of (blank) and State aforesaid. The said Clark Anderson & Co. further agree to give the female laborers one half day in each week to do their washing &c. 

The Laborers on their part agree to work faithfully and diligently on the Plantation of the said Clark Anderson & Co. for six days in the week and to do all necessary work usually done on a plantation on the Sabbath, . . . that we will be respectful and obedient to said Clark Anderson & Co. or their agents, and that we will in all respects endeavor to promote their interests, and we further bind ourselves to treat with humanity and kindness the stock entrusted to our care and will be responsible for such stock as die through our inhumanity or carelessness and we further agree to deduct for time lost by our own fault one dollar per day during the Spring and two dollars during cotton picking season, also that the Father & Mother should pay for board of children, also for lost time by protracted sickness and we further agree to have deducted from our respective wages the expense of medical attendance and supplies during sickness. 

The names of 169 workers follow, including 56 adult men, 44 adult women, 61 children, and 8 hands listed as “unserviceable” (due to pregnancy or illness). The list includes the name, age, and wages due (from $5-$15) each worker.

Source: Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Georgia, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865 _ 1869, National Archives Publication M798 Roll 36, “Unbound Miscellaneous Papers.”

Document 4.9.6: A Bureau Contract, 1866