Contract between John Cocke and laborers, 1867
Item
Title
Contract between John Cocke and laborers, 1867
Description
Labor contract between John Cocke and some of his formerly enslaved people, January 14, 1867
Transcript
[image 0005]
Memorandum of and an agreement made and entered into between John Cocke party of the first part and the following named persons freedmen of color vis. (Rea Catherine William) Jarrat Pat Ed Itt Charlotte Alen) Ras) Jim Nick Nan) Joe Sally Charity Maria Sophia Sini Georgia) Charles Philis Delia) Peter Jones Tamar) Stephen Julia Stephen Jr. [?]) Mary Jerry Martha) Spencer Sara Alace Emily Susan [?] Harry) Shack) Antony) Harriet [?] Maria) Theophulus) Sol Katy Mary Sally Margaret Ely) Manerva Harriet Oscar) Roger) Nancy) Witnesses, they have agreed, and do now agree, and bind themselves, jointly, collectively, individually, and severally, as families, for themselves, and those for whom they have a right to contract -- to stay with the party of the first part, untill, the first day of January next, (1868,) work and be under his and the same rules, and regulations, directions, and management &c as heretofore required by him. And, in consideration for their doing and performing the same, the party of the first part, agrees to give them, one half of the nett proceeds, made or raised, on his plantation from said labor, the party of the first part, to furnish provisions, stock, and other things that he may think necessary, and also stock for raising, the same to be returned to him, if on the plantation the first day of January next, if not, in kind if made, or raised, on plantation, if not made, or raised, its value, to be retained, by him out of proceeds. The party of the first part, to hire and overseer, or Agent, at a reasonable compensation, or what is customary in the neighborhood, the party of the first part, to receive for his service such commissions, and compensation, as is allowed by the judge, of the probate court, of Green County
[image 0006]
to Administrators, on Estates. Should they party of the first part, think it is to the interest, of both parties, to hire more hands, for the purpose, of making, saving, or gathering the crop, he to do so, and said hire, and expenses, to be deducted from proceeds of said crop. Should any of the parties of the second party, loose any time by sickness, or otherwise, the rations, and water, to be deducted in proportion, to time lost. the party of the first part, to furnish, fuel, and lodging, but, the parties of the second part, to furnish, their clothing, shoes, medical attendance, and pay their Taxes, but, if furnished, or paid, by the party of the first part, to be deducted, from their portion of the crop, and also, all other liabilities, and damages, to which he, the part of the first part, may be subjected to, on their account. The half, of the nett proceeds belonging, to the parties of the second part, to be paid, by the party of the first part, to any person, whom majority of the second party, may select, to divide, and pay the same, over to them agreeable, to classification, to be made by themselves, when paid, should they not agree, the party of the first part, to decide the same for them. The plantation, and all improvements, to be kept in good repair, all water ways, and ditches, to be made, and kept opened &c, that the party of the first part, may think necessary for the production of the same. All time for holidays to be left to the option of party of the first part, or his Agent. The parties of the second part, to pay for all clothing, provisions, medical attendance &c for their children, if furnished, by the party of the first part, provided said children, are not able, to earn the same by their labor. All males under 21 years of age, and all females, under 18 yrs of age, who has been contracted for in the above contract by their parents, to be punished in a reasonable and humane manner, by the party of the first part,
[image 0007]
or his Agent, by switching, or otherwise, as they may think best. Should any of the parties of the second part refuse, or fail, to obey any orders, given them, by the party of the first part, or his Agent, or fail, to perform, any labor to their satisfaction, or if they should fight, or quarrell, or use any insolent language or act in an insolent manner, toward the party of the first part, or his Agent, or violate any part of the above contract, the same, to be null and void, and the party of the first part, has the right to discharge, or make them leave his plantation . . . . . . in acknowledgment of the above and foregoing contract the party of the first part signs his name and the parties of the second part make their mark.
John Cocke
Henry Rea, his X mark
Catherine, her X mark
Jarrat his, X mark
Pat, her, X mark
Ras, his X mark
Jim Nick, his, X mark
Nan, her X mark
Joe, his X mark
Sally, her, X mark
Charles, his, X mark
Philis, her, X mark
Peter Jones, his, X mark
Stephen, his, X mark
Julia, her, X mark
Spencer, his, X mark
Sarah, her, X mark
Harry, his, X mark
Shack, his, X mark
Antony, his, X mark
Harriet her, X mark
Theophulus, his, X mark
Sol, his, X mark
Caty, her, X mark
Manerva, her, X mark
Roger, his, X mark
Nancy her, X mark
Witness by
Benj Borden
[?] T. Moore
W. C. Burton
Memorandum of and an agreement made and entered into between John Cocke party of the first part and the following named persons freedmen of color vis. (Rea Catherine William) Jarrat Pat Ed Itt Charlotte Alen) Ras) Jim Nick Nan) Joe Sally Charity Maria Sophia Sini Georgia) Charles Philis Delia) Peter Jones Tamar) Stephen Julia Stephen Jr. [?]) Mary Jerry Martha) Spencer Sara Alace Emily Susan [?] Harry) Shack) Antony) Harriet [?] Maria) Theophulus) Sol Katy Mary Sally Margaret Ely) Manerva Harriet Oscar) Roger) Nancy) Witnesses, they have agreed, and do now agree, and bind themselves, jointly, collectively, individually, and severally, as families, for themselves, and those for whom they have a right to contract -- to stay with the party of the first part, untill, the first day of January next, (1868,) work and be under his and the same rules, and regulations, directions, and management &c as heretofore required by him. And, in consideration for their doing and performing the same, the party of the first part, agrees to give them, one half of the nett proceeds, made or raised, on his plantation from said labor, the party of the first part, to furnish provisions, stock, and other things that he may think necessary, and also stock for raising, the same to be returned to him, if on the plantation the first day of January next, if not, in kind if made, or raised, on plantation, if not made, or raised, its value, to be retained, by him out of proceeds. The party of the first part, to hire and overseer, or Agent, at a reasonable compensation, or what is customary in the neighborhood, the party of the first part, to receive for his service such commissions, and compensation, as is allowed by the judge, of the probate court, of Green County
[image 0006]
to Administrators, on Estates. Should they party of the first part, think it is to the interest, of both parties, to hire more hands, for the purpose, of making, saving, or gathering the crop, he to do so, and said hire, and expenses, to be deducted from proceeds of said crop. Should any of the parties of the second party, loose any time by sickness, or otherwise, the rations, and water, to be deducted in proportion, to time lost. the party of the first part, to furnish, fuel, and lodging, but, the parties of the second part, to furnish, their clothing, shoes, medical attendance, and pay their Taxes, but, if furnished, or paid, by the party of the first part, to be deducted, from their portion of the crop, and also, all other liabilities, and damages, to which he, the part of the first part, may be subjected to, on their account. The half, of the nett proceeds belonging, to the parties of the second part, to be paid, by the party of the first part, to any person, whom majority of the second party, may select, to divide, and pay the same, over to them agreeable, to classification, to be made by themselves, when paid, should they not agree, the party of the first part, to decide the same for them. The plantation, and all improvements, to be kept in good repair, all water ways, and ditches, to be made, and kept opened &c, that the party of the first part, may think necessary for the production of the same. All time for holidays to be left to the option of party of the first part, or his Agent. The parties of the second part, to pay for all clothing, provisions, medical attendance &c for their children, if furnished, by the party of the first part, provided said children, are not able, to earn the same by their labor. All males under 21 years of age, and all females, under 18 yrs of age, who has been contracted for in the above contract by their parents, to be punished in a reasonable and humane manner, by the party of the first part,
[image 0007]
or his Agent, by switching, or otherwise, as they may think best. Should any of the parties of the second part refuse, or fail, to obey any orders, given them, by the party of the first part, or his Agent, or fail, to perform, any labor to their satisfaction, or if they should fight, or quarrell, or use any insolent language or act in an insolent manner, toward the party of the first part, or his Agent, or violate any part of the above contract, the same, to be null and void, and the party of the first part, has the right to discharge, or make them leave his plantation . . . . . . in acknowledgment of the above and foregoing contract the party of the first part signs his name and the parties of the second part make their mark.
John Cocke
Henry Rea, his X mark
Catherine, her X mark
Jarrat his, X mark
Pat, her, X mark
Ras, his X mark
Jim Nick, his, X mark
Nan, her X mark
Joe, his X mark
Sally, her, X mark
Charles, his, X mark
Philis, her, X mark
Peter Jones, his, X mark
Stephen, his, X mark
Julia, her, X mark
Spencer, his, X mark
Sarah, her, X mark
Harry, his, X mark
Shack, his, X mark
Antony, his, X mark
Harriet her, X mark
Theophulus, his, X mark
Sol, his, X mark
Caty, her, X mark
Manerva, her, X mark
Roger, his, X mark
Nancy her, X mark
Witness by
Benj Borden
[?] T. Moore
W. C. Burton
Date
14 January 1867
Is Part Of
John Cocke papers (MSS.0328)