Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-01-19
FORM OF CONTRACT WITH FREEDMEN.


We published last week furm of contract
which had been adopted by the citizens of Dar.
l;ng!on and the adjacent Districts aud as a
subject of general interest. and for the purpose
Of securing as much uniformity ms possible in
the contracts adopted. we extract from the
banner form of contract which has been pre-.
pared for !li5 own use by gentlemen of juJg-
ment ana experience in the management OF
negroes. twill he found TO be very explicit in
its provisions, and 1" form IL very useful basis
for forming contracts. which employers may
modify at pleasure to meet the necessities OF
each case. 1t has been approved by Lieut..
HALL. the Provost Marshal:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
-AbberiWc District.
Agreement between employer,
and Charles freedman. act
ing for himself, his wife and seven children,
A., NJ. and c., workers, and D., p, J. and K,
non workers.
The said freedman agrees 10 hire himself,
full hand, and his three childrell-A ., a three.
quarter hand, NJ, half hand, and c., n quarter
hand--to the suid employer. on his plantation,
for the year 1866, such duties and services to tc
performed required by tho regulations Oh
said plantation, hereunto attached, and made
part Of this contract. The employer agrees to
accept the services of the said freedmen, and
promises to pay therefor tho following wuges:
For Charles, dollars, and his rations;
for A., dollars, and her rations; for ~,
dollars, and her rations, and for c.,
dollars, aud his raLions !; and to furnish he said
freedman patch of acres of land. for the
growing of crop for himself and family. Tie
employer, on his part, to do and perform the du.
ties required of him by said regulations.
Witness, the signatures of the employer and
freedman, this 6uy of 1866.
In presence Of
Regulations prescribing the services and duties
to be performed, and directing the govern
ynent of the freedmenson made by
the proprietor.
Time for Labor.
l. The work time shall bo from sun rise until
un SET, for ths days of the week. except Sunday,
ith q suitable interval in the middle Of the day
for rest and dinner, varying from one hour in
he winter and spring, 10 three hours in mid
,umnr er at the discretion of the employers, or
heir mgent.
.. For feeding stock, and other necessary
Sunday work, detail shall be made from the
aborers, in turn, by the employer or agent;
md those appointed 10 this duty shall perform
t as Promptly and regularly as their work on
,,her days. Night work shall be performed as
ollows:
s. When not done in day time, the stock shall
70 watered aud fed. Corn for milling shall be
helled, and in proper season. the fodder may be
led up, stacked or secured, under the direction
II the employer, without extra compensation.
L any emergenc, should arise requiring night
work, to protect the crop or guard and advance
he interest Of the employer, such work shalLbe
compensation therefor to be made in
he same length oftime some other day.
Perform manco of Labor.
1. signal shall be given for going to work
n the morning, and after the interval at noon,
which shall be promptly answered; any laborer
falling to. repair. to work within five minutes af-
Ter the signal, without an excuse satisfactory
% the employer may be fined.
3. The work ts.be performed shall consist in
building aud repsifing houses on the plantation;
making rails, building aad repairing fence; clear.
ing and draining lands, andpreparins for plant.
ne, eaItivating, gathering and housing the crop,
and prepasisg itfor nnarke. ); feeding aud taking
care Of II hepsteck, aud any othsrwork connected