I have this day hired three negros from Jared E. Groce to wit
a negro woman called Sally, a negroman called tame Jack and one
called Kelly—the woman at eight dollars pr. Month and the Men at
fifteen each—the hire to commence on the first day of November
next, and continue for one year from that date, and I hereby
obligate myself to pay to said Groce the amt. of said hire at the
expiration of the year—A Boy called Fields is to be furnished to take
care of Sally's child—The said negros are to be well treated by me,
and the said Groce is to clothe them—Should they run a way or die
the loss is to be Groces—sickness to be my loss.—
Brazos River—October 19 [1823?]
[Stephen F. Austin]
Octo. 19th 1823 the negroes is to be returned when the hire ceases
S. F. Austin [Rubric]