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]