Five members of the Boston family sign this contract. Matthias Boston — $150 for the year. Charles Boston — $150. Mintie Boston — $100. Peggy Boston — $10.50 per month, with provisions included for her husband Charles and her grandson Mathi. Neila Boston, wife of Charles — $3 per month for her services.

Peggy Boston is the matriarch. Her husband is Charles Boston. Her grandson is Mathi. Three generations of the Boston family on the same plantation, confirmed in a single contract: grandmother, husband, son, son's wife, and grandchild. The People & Businesses page notes Peggy Boston as having three generations documented on this land. This contract is that documentation.

Abner and James S. Bryan agree to furnish comfortable quarters, wholesome food, and fuel. The freedpeople agree to conduct themselves honestly and civilly, obey all reasonable orders, take good care of utensils entrusted to them, and be kind and gentle with animals in their charge. Damages are assessed by arbitration. Every day's absence from labor: a fine of fifty cents unless substituted. Voluntary absence without permission: two dollars per day forfeited. Absence more than two days without permission: dismissal from the plantation and forfeiture of all wages. Money loaned or advanced is deducted from wages at year's end. All wages are paid at the expiration of the twelve months.

The contract is mutual in its language — both parties state their obligations. The Bryan brothers agree to treat their employees with kindness and respect. The employees demand the same.

Every freedperson signs with a mark — a cross (+) beside their name, witnessed. Abner C. Bryan and James S. Bryan sign their names. The contrast runs through the entire record: Robert C. Bryan signed the first return in 1847. Abner sold nails to the estate in 1862 and signed his name. The freedpeople who worked this land through the same decades sign here with marks — the cross that stands for a name when writing is not possible. Littleton Jones signs in a row by himself, below the others. The document is witnessed and filed.