The apprenticeship system was widely used to provide for children who, in most instances, were poor orphans lacking estates or bastards without parents or means of support. Such children were bound out by the Court who oversaw their care to serve masters who in turn were to provide them with training and life’s necessities. An apprentice indenture was a contract between local authorities and the master. These indentures could contain the name and age of the child, its father’s name, the master’s name and occupation, the term of service, and the mutual obligations of master and apprentice.

THIS INDENTURE, made this 21 day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
47 between the Worshipful Ananias Sadler, Esq, Chairman or presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and 
Quarter Session of the County of Hyde of the one part, and Jonathan Gibbs of the same county of the 
other part, witnesseth, that the said presiding Justice in pursuance of an Order of said Court put, 
place and bind unto the said Jonathan Gibbs an orphan boy named Richard Berry aged about 10 years. 
With the said Jonathan Gibbs to live after the manner of an Apprentice and Servant until he shall 
attain the age of twenty one years.  During which time the said Apprentice his said master shall 
faithfully serve, and his lawful command every where gladly obey, and not absent himself from his 
master’s service without leave, but in all things as good and faithful servant shall behave. 
And the said Jonathan Gibbs doth covenant, promise and agree with the said presiding Justice that he 
will teach and instruct, or cause to be taught and instructed, the Apprentice the art and mystery of 
a FARMER and constantly find and provide for the said Apprentice, during the term aforesaid , 
sufficient diet, washing, lodging and apparel, fitting for an Apprentice, and also all other things 
necessary both in sickness and in health. 
In witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year aforesaid. 
Signed, sealed and delivered,                                   Jonathan Gibbs (Seal) 
In presence of                                                            A. Sadler            (Seal) 
(Not clear)

THIS INDENTURE, made this 21 day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
47 between the Worshipful Ananias Sadler, Esq, Chairman or presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and
    Quarter Session of the County of Hyde of the one part, and Nathaniel Gibbs of the same county of the
    other part, witnesseth, that the said presiding Justice in pursuance of an Order of said Court put,
    place and bind unto the said Nathaniel Gibbs an orphan boy named Rueben Berry. With the said Nathaniel
    Gibbs to live after the manner of an Apprentice and Servant until he shall attain the age of twenty one
    years. During which time the said Apprentice his said master shall faithfully serve, and his lawful
    command every where gladly obey, and not absent himself from his master’s service without leave, but in
    all things as good and faithful servant shall behave. And the said Nathaniel Gibbs doth covenant, promise
    and agree with the said presiding Justice that he will teach and instruct, or cause to be taught and
    instructed, the Apprentice the art and mystery of a Farmer and constantly find and provide for the said
    Apprentice, during the term aforesaid , sufficient diet, washing, lodging and apparel, fitting for an
    Apprentice, and also all other things necessary both in sickness and in health.
    In witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year aforesaid.
    Signed, sealed and delivered,                                   Nathaniel (x) Gibbs (Seal)
    In presence of                                                            A. Sadler                  (Seal)
    (Not clear)

Contributed by Kathy Berry Parks

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