1
APPRENTICESHIP COLLECTION
FORMED BY RICK GRUNDER, 1985 – 2010
. . . he shall not play . . . nor contract matrimony . . .
a young Ohio typesetter, item 64 (detail)
"THE END OF BOYHOOD in the nineteenth century," writes Anthony Rotundo,
did not come as it comes in the twentieth. There was no sequence of events that
marked the progress of boys from childhood to manhood, and there were no key
ages at which all youngsters reached important milestones. In earlier times,
apprenticeship had marked an end of sorts to the boyhood years (though even
the ages of apprenticeship might be indefinite). In the nineteenth century, the
ages and events that brought boyhood to a close varied sharply with family and
personal circumstances.1
T
COLLECTION offered here has been assembled during the past quartercentury. It is both broad and detailed enough to be interesting and
informative, and shows the continuation, gradual refinement, and ultimate
1
HE
E. Anthony Rotundo, American Manhood: Transformations in Masculinity from the Revolution to the
Modern Era (New York: Basic Books, A Division of Harper Collins Publishers, 1993), 53.
2
decline of a once-principal economic/educational way of life. Ralph Foster Weld
summarized APPRENTICESHIP as . . .
A system by which a youth bound himself to a master workman for a period of
years in exchange for maintenance and training in a craft. Known in ancient
times, it was elaborated by the mediæval guilds. The general principles of an
English act of 1562, defining the relations of master and apprentice, were
adopted in the American colonies, where both voluntary and compulsory
apprenticeship existed. In the latter case, poor children were bound out to
masters for support and trade-training. Massachusetts Bay by a General Court
Order (1642) required all masters to teach apprentices to read, as well as the
principles of religion. This was the first compulsory education law in America,
and was followed by similar enactments in Connecticut (1650), New Haven
(1655) and New Plymouth (1671). It was extended to New York by the Duke of
York's Laws of 1665.
The privileges and duties of master and apprentice were defined in a form of
contract called an "indenture" . . . During the 19th century the system gradually
receded with the advance of machinery, factories and technical schools. It still
continues in some degree, however, in certain skilled trades, as well as in tradeunion regulations.2
Indeed, the documents now in the collection at hand show that Dr. Rotundo's
generalization was a bit premature: Apprenticeship was alive and well through
most of the nineteenth century. Such a system was eminently practical. And, it
was mutually advantageous –else it could not have continued to function so long
and so well as it did. As these materials attest, this tried and respected means of
employment trained young men and women thoroughly for their future work.
Apprentices received little or no pay, but there were essential benefits, and the
arrangement was generally fair. If a boy or girl likely approached such a
situation with mixed hope and dread, the master undertook risk as well. The
new apprentice might not turn out to be quite so bright or so dedicated as had
first appeared. If any masters were bad, there were plenty more who felt
betrayed enough to place derisive newspaper ads for their runaway apprentices,
offering a reward of one penny, or a Spanish potato.
Apprenticeship may sometimes have been viewed as supplying a second tier of
endeavor (used especially for mechanical trades, or as a form of guardianship for
orphans and the poor who were steered into farming and household work). Yet
apprenticeship could occur in almost any field - as displayed by the varied
examples in this collection - and the practice did not lack for respect in sober
society. " 'Oh you're a ̒prentice!' said a little boy, the other day, tauntingly to his
2
"Apprenticeship," Dictionary of American History, . . . Second Edition Revised , ed. James Truslow
Adams (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1961), I:92.
3
companion. The addressed turned proudly round, and while the fire of injured
pride and the look of pity were strangely blended in his countenance, coolly
answered, 'So was Franklin!' "3
The conditions and terms of apprenticeship were stringent and fairly standard,
as were the usual rewards: social and economic freedom (upon reaching one's
twenty-first birthday), substantial trade skills and likely connections, a
rudimentary education, and two sets of clothing –one suitable to wear to church.
"At cards, dice, or any other unlawful game, he shall not play," ran a typical
indenture text. . . .
He shall not absent himself, by day or by night, from the service of his said
Master, without his leave; nor haunt or frequent ale-houses, taverns, or gaming
places. He shall not contract matrimony within the said term; nor shall he
commit any acts of vice or immorality which are forbidden by the Laws of the
Commonwealth; but in all things, and at all times, he shall carry and behave
himself towards his said Master, and all others, as a good and faithful Apprentice
ought to do . . . 4
"The Black boy named Enoch" faced a prospect of more encumbered years than
he had lived thus far. And throughout all of this seeming eternity just ahead,
similarly,
the said Servant his sd Master & Mistress faithfully shall serve, their Secrets keep,
their Lawful commands gladly everywhere obey, he shall do no Damage to his
Said Master of Mistress, nor see it to be done of others without letting, or giving
Notice thereof to his Said Master or Mistress, he shall not waste his Said Masters
Goods, nor lend them Unlawfully to any, he shall not Commit Fornication, nor
Contract Matrimony within the said term, at Cards, dice, or any other Unlawful
game he shall not play, whereby his said Master or Mistress may have Damage
with their own Goods nor the Goods of others he shall not Absent himself by
Day or by Night from his said master's or Mistress Service without their leave;
nor haunt Alehouses, Taverns or Playhouses, but in all things behave himself as
a faithful Servant Ought to do, towards his said Master & Mistress, during the
said term of twelve years & three months to be Compleated & Ended. — 5
This may sound like glorified slavery, but it promoted upwardly-mobile society.
Arrangements that traded extensive "free" training for hard and extended labor
furnished many a poor but bright and industrious youth with the finest skills to
3
Evening Advertiser (newspaper, Portland, Maine) for Wednesday, September 12, 1832, p.2
(photocopy of this short blurb present in the album, facing the letter regarding Charles Fenton,
printer's apprentice, Philadelphia, 1822).
4 Printed apprentice Indenture form (blank, unused) in the album (n.p., ca. late 1700s?)
5 Manuscript indenture in the album, for "The Black boy named Enoch," Gorham, Maine, 1784
(prepared but never signed).
4
make a decent living and to thrive. "In all his letters," reported one satisfied
father to his printer-apprentice son's stewards,
he speaks well of his Masters— . . . he says he is very glad, he went to Messrs
Clark and Raser to learn the trade . . . You will please to accept my thanks for the
attention, and good counsel that I have reason to believe you have given to
Charles . . . and in return for your kindness I do most ardently wish that he will
be to you, an obedient, industrious, and faithful apprentice, & in every respect
conduct himself with meekness, decorum, and gravity.—6
UNDERSTANDABLY POIGNANT, the documents and related items that follow have
commanded my respect for a number of years. They form a fine sociological
microcosm, and I hope that they can be preserved together in an appropriate
institution or archive.
TIME PERIOD OF ITEMS: Later 1600s – 1910 (plus a 1984 documentary photograph)
COMPOSITION OF THE COLLECTION (approximately 78 items in 71 lots):
11 manuscript indenture documents
13 partly-printed indenture documents accomplished in manuscript (in 11 lots)
3 partly-printed guardianship documents accomplished in manuscript (in 2 lots)
4 manuscript documents of agreement
2 manuscript masters' certificates of recommendation of their former apprentices
1 manuscript legal summons
10 manuscript letters
1 typed letter signed
1 manuscript note (Virginia, 1600s)
1 manuscript text
2 manuscript documents of folk verse
1 partly-printed letter broadsheet
2 small printed broadsides
1 printed legislative bill (Mississippi)
1 printed U.S. Government document
1 printed act of Parliament (Great Britain)
3 books
6 pamphlets (in 5 lots)
10 newspapers (in 8 lots)
5 photographs
6
D. Fenton to Messrs Clark & Raser, Printers, Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Trenton, New Jersey,
January 1, 1822. Original manuscript letter, in the album.
5
NUMBERS OF ITEMS BY GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, when known; approximate:
1 Alabama - Talladaga County
3
3
1
1
Connecticut - Hartford
Connecticut - Norwich
Connecticut - Pomfret
Connecticut - Washington (Litchfield County)
1 Illinois - Shabbona (De Kalb County)
1 Illinois - Tremont (Tazewell County)
1 Maine - Gorham
1
1
1
6
1
1
2
1
1
2
Massachusetts Bay Colony, Essex County
Massachusetts - "the Commonwealth"
Massachusetts - Bernardston
Massachusetts - Boston
Massachusetts - East Sudbury
Massachusetts - Enfield
Massachusetts - Newbury
Massachusetts - Pittsfield
Massachusetts - Rehoboth
Massachusetts - Worcester
1 New Hampshire - Concord
1 New Hampshire - Rockingham County
1 New Jersey - Trenton
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
1
3
New York - Albany
New York - Auburn
New York - Cazenovia (related to; letter sent from NYC)
New York - Clayton (Jefferson Co.)
New York - Colesville (Broome Co.)
New York - Cooperstown
New York - Deerpark (Orange Co.)
New York - Hudson
New York - Jefferson County
New York - Kingston
New York - Lake Ridge (Thompson County)
New York - Ledyard (Cayuga County)
New York - New York City
New York - Prattsburg (Steuben County)
New York - Utica
1 Ohio - Hicksville
6
1
2
1
1
1
Pennsylvania - Germantown
Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
Pennsylvania - Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania - Richland (Bucks County)
Pennsylvania - town of Indiana
2 Rhode Island - Providence
1 Vermont - Poultney
1 Vermont - Windsor
1 Virginia Colony, old Warwick County
1 Washington, D.C.
4 Great Britain
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST BY OCCUPATIONS, when specified:
Physician 1726 (item 2)
Cooper 1751 (item 4)
Shoemaker 1758 (item 5)
Guager 1760 (item 6)
Housework 1771 (item 7)
Merchant 1784 (item 8)
Servant 1784 (black boy, item 9)
Printer 1785 (item 10)
Farming 1790 (item 13)
Sadler 1792 (item 14)
Farming 1793 (item 15)
Knitting, Spinning, Sewing 1795 (item 15)
Joiner 1800 (item 18)
Merchant 1801 (item 19)
Housework 1805 (item 21)
Printer 1810 (item 22)
Printer 1815 (item 24)
Shoemaker 1818 (item 26)
Printer 1822 (item 27)
Mason 1826 (item 28)
Printer 1826 (item 30)
Clothier 1828 (item 33)
Clerk/Bookeeper 1830s? (item 34)
Blacksmith 1833 (item 37)
Farming 1833 (item 38)
7
Druggist 1837 (item 40)
Farming 1838 (item 42)
Sailors 1839 (item 44)
Farming 1847 (item 46)
Farming 1848 (item 47)
Housekeeping 1852 (item 49)
Sailors 1853 (item 51)
Sailors 1855 (item 51)
Farming 1855 (item 54)
Farming 1857 (item 56)
Farming 1857 (item 57)
Blacksmiths 1860s (item 60)
Housework, Farming etc. 1866 (black boy, item 61)
Carriage Maker 1872 (item 63)
Electrical Engineer 1890s (item 66)
Machinist, later nineteenth century (item 67)
Founder or Moulder 1895 (item 69)
ALPHABETICAL LIST BY OCCUPATIONS, when specified:
Blacksmith 1833 (item 37)
Blacksmiths 1860s (item 60)
Carriage Maker 1872 (item 63)
Clerk/Bookeeper 1830s? (item 34)
Clothier 1828 (item 33)
Cooper 1751 (item 4)
Druggist 1837 (item 40)
Electrical Engineer 1890s (item 66)
Farming 1790 (item 13)
Farming 1793 (item 15)
Farming 1833 (item 38)
Farming 1838 (item 42)
Farming 1847 (item 46)
Farming 1848 (item 47)
Farming 1855 (item 54)
Farming 1857 (item 56)
Farming 1857 (item 57)
Founder or Moulder 1895 (item 69)
Guager 1760 (item 6)
Housework 1771 (item 7)
Housework 1805 (item 21)
Housework 1852 (item 49)
8
Housework, Farming etc. 1866 (black boy, item 61)
Joiner 1800 (item 18)
Knitting, Spinning, Sewing 1795 (item 15)
Machinist, later nineteenth century (item 67)
Mason 1826 (item 28)
Merchant 1784 (item 8)
Merchant 1801 (item 19)
Physician 1726 (item 2)
Printer 1785 (item 10)
Printer 1810 (item 22)
Printer 1815 (item 24)
Printer 1822 (item 27)
Printer 1826 (item 30)
Sadler 1792 (item 14)
Sailors 1839 (item 44)
Sailors 1853 (item 51)
Sailors 1855 (item 51)
Servant 1784 (black boy, item 9)
Shoemaker 1758 (item 5)
Shoemaker 1818 (item 26)
PRICE OF THE COLLECTION :
$7,500
Individual values for items, listed in blue, are provided to show relative valuation, and total $6,590. I
then added a modest collection premium to that total, and offer this material as a collection only.
ILLUSTRATION ABOVE copied from an edition of Jane Marion Wakefield Richardson, Apples of Gold, or, Talks
with the Children (London, Headley Bros., 1896 and 1898); not present in this collection.
– July 20, 2010
9
INVENTORY OF THE COLLECTION
CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED
1
Manuscript Note
Old Warwick County, Virginia
ca. 1675-90s
occupation not specified
Stained; moderate wear.
EARLIEST PIECE IN THE COLLECTION: Manuscript note 16 X 20 cm., reading as follows:
To the Worshipfull Corte of Warwick County, Samuell Hogard Humbly Shewath
That haveng Attaind ye age of Sixteen Years Humbly prays yt [that] hee may bee admited
to have ye bennifit of his owne Labour & yt Cap Richard Whitaker may be ordered to give
your petishanor such clouthing as your Worships shall think fitt & your petetinor as in
duty bound shall Ever pray
[docket on verso:] Hoggard peticon for his brothr to be bound 1690 [or 1693?]
While records are sketchy, it appears certain that Samuel was an orphan of Peter
Hoggard, and that Samuel had a brother who was also apprenticed. See published
transcripts of the Warwick County (Virginia) court records, which mention Captain
Richard Whitaker in proximate context. See also various Internet genealogical records
giving Samuel's birth variously as ca. 1659, before 1665, or 1672. The docket note
(above) may refer to Samuel requesting that a brother be apprenticed out in 1690, or to
some other action. The reference to young Samuel wanting his clothing which is due
him is entirely consistent with a completed apprenticeship.
Displayed in the album.
2
$300
Manuscript Summons
Hartford, Connecticut
June 1, 1726
Physician
Very good.
". . . teach and instruct ye plaintife the art of physick in all things or distempers relating to sd art
whatsoever . . . for instruction or disection . . . and all so have Liberty of the
perusal of s[ai]d Bloggets Liberary as to what may relate to sd art . . ."
JAMES WADSWORTH, JABEZ HUNTINGTON, E. GRAY, _______ ABBE and
_______ BACKUS. MANUSCRIPT legal SUMMONS to the defendant in a lawsuit,
Dr. William BLODGET, for failure to teach the plaintiff, Ebenezer COOPER, to be a
physician as agreed. Hartford, Connecticut, June 1, 1726.
31 X 20 cm. One page; verso filled with legal notes. Very good.
$400
10
A remarkable colonial lawsuit for not teaching the plaintiff to be a doctor as promised.
While this was not a traditional apprenticeship arrangement, the details seem more than
sufficient to compliment the general subject of this collection. The text, and legal notes
on the verso, read as follow . . .
To the sherrife of the County of
Windham[,] his deputy or to either of
the constables of Plainfield within
s[ai]d County Greeting —
In his majestys name summon [forth ?]
William Bloggett of Plainfeld afore[sai]d
if he may be found within your
precincts yt [i.e., that] he appear before
ye County Court to be Holden att
Windham for and within sd County on
the fourth tusday of this instant [i.e.,
present] June then and yr [i.e., there] to
answer unto Ebenezer Cooper ^Late of
Vollingtown [i.e., Voluntown][,] now^
of Merridon [i.e.Meriden] alias North
Wallingford in ye County of Hartford
in an action or plea of debt the sum of
fifty pounds current money of New
England due to the plaintife by one
certaine bond under the hand of ye
def[endan]t well executed ^dated in
Plainfield Septr 30th Anno Domini
1724^ which bond is condition[e]d yt [that] if ye def[endan]t[,] his heirs &c.,
should do in manner following (Viz [namely]) teach and instruct ye plaintife the
art of physick in all things or distempers relating to sd art whatsoever that he[,]
ye def[endan]t is capabell of and that ye plaintife is capabell to be instructed in or
aboute in the space or within twelve months next ensuing ye date of sd bond, the
sd – Cooper applying himselfe or coming unto sd Blodget for instruction or
disection as above [ ?]ed in or relating to sd art of physick and all so have Liberty
of the perusall of sd Bloggets Liberary as to what may relate to sd art all during
sd term of twelve months for a reasonable consideration then sd obligation was
to be void & noll [ ? ] [ ? ] Nevertheless ye deft hath allways neglected to fullfill
ye conditions of ye bond afforesd tho application and demand were seasonabley
made by ye plaintife, Neither hath the deft to this day paid the sum containd in
sd bond whereby sd fifty pounds becomes forfeit to ye plaintife for the recovery
whereof with [ ? ? ?] ^[Bring ?] this [ ? ]^ hearof faile not and make due Returne
of this writ with your doings yr[there]on Dated in Hartford June, 1st day anno
domini 1726
James Wadsworth Assistant./
11
[on verso (above)] Plainfield June ye 16th 1726: Then ye within writt was read in the
hearing of ye within named William Blodget
P[er?] me Jabez Huntington Sheriff
My fees 0 [pounds] -3 [shillings] -19 [pence]
[and in another, large hand:] and the defendent comes and says that the plaintife hath
allways had access to the defendent at all times for direction and instructions according
to the conditions of said bond and the defendent hath not forfited his said bond and
thereof puts himself on the countyC Abbe pro de[fendan]t
[immediately below, in another hand] and the plaintife says ye plea of ye deft is
insuficient and yr of [thereof] prays judgment Backus for ye plaintif
[following, but this paragraph crossed out] and the defendent ^having [ ? ? ] had [ ? ] the
bond^ comes and says that [ ? ? ] ought to abate for that the sd warrant between the
write and bond declared uppon the bond is dated the thirtyeth day of Sept 1724 and in
the writ [ ? ? ] omitted and no date declared uppon Abbe for the defendent
[and in another area of the verso, in yet another hand] It is y e opinion of ye Court that
this writt may be manded & that ye action proceed E Gray Clerk
The demuner is maintain[e]d on ye part of ye Defendant and therefor find for the
Defendant Copy of Court –
Mr Cooper appear'd by his attorney M r Bacchus and desired an Appeal & £10 - 0 - 0 bond
given p[e]r Mr Bacchus. Granted pr ye Court E Gray Clerk –
to ye Superiour C[our]t
holden 3[rd] Tuesdy Sept
Dr. William BLODGET (January 11, 1686 - ca. 1750-57) was born at Woburn,
Massachusetts and died at Preston, Connecticut. He was married August 18, 1714 at
Plainfield, Connecticut to Sarah Hall (1688-173[6]) who bore him seven children between
1715-30. After the death of his wife, he married Mehitable Fenner at Plainfield in 1837.
( http://www.jackandpatt.com/freeman/p1357.htm#i27138 )
12
3
Printed Act of Parliament
London, England
1739
Very good; disbound.
Anno Regni GEORGII II. Regis Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Duodecimo.
At the Parliament begun and holden at Westminster, [January 14, 1734 – February 1, 1738]
. . . London: Printed by John Baskett, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, 1739.
Caption title on page 387: ". . . An Act for granting to His Majesty the Sum of Five
hundred thousand Pounds out of the Sinking Fund, for the Service of the Year One
thousand seven hundred and thirty nine . . . and for giving time for the Payment of
Duties omitted to be paid for the Indentures and Contracts of Clerks and Apprentices."
Small folio, 31 X 20 cm. Paged [385]-399 (15 pp., complete; verso of title and of final
page blank).
Tacked onto the end of this appropriations bill is an act filling the final page which
provides a grace period for getting old clerk and apprentice indentures revenuestamped. See the London joiner's indenture on vellum in this collection, 1820, which
bears a revenue stamp.
. . . That upon Payment of the Rates and Duties upon Monies, or such Part of
such Monies so neglected or omitted to be paid as aforesaid, on or before the first
Day of August, One thousand seven hundred and thirty nine . . . on or before the
Twenty ninth Day of September, . . . (of which timely Notice is to be given in the
London Gazette) the same Indentures or other Writings shall be good and
available in Law or Equity, and may be given in Evidence in any Court
whatsoever; and the Clerk, Apprentice, or Servant therein named, shall be
capable of following and exercising their respective intended Trades or
Imployments, as fully as if the said Rates and Duties so omitted had been duly
paid . . . [p. 399]
$45
4
Manuscript Indenture
Hartford, Connecticut
November 26, 1751
Cooper
Very good.
On his apparent fourteenth birthday, DOSITHEUS HUMPHREY Jr. signs himself into
apprenticeship to Isaac BUNCE (with the permission of his father Dositheus Humphrey
who signs below the son), "To learn the art and Mystery of A Cooper in which said
Mystery the said Bunce now Occupieth [,] after the manner of an apprentice to serve him
the said Isaac Bunce untill the 26th Day of November which will be AD 1758 . . ."
13
The terms are fairly standard except that no
outside education is mentioned. Judging from
the passable handwriting of the lad's signature
here, perhaps he had already obtained a
rudimentary education. There will be the
usual clothing allowance at the end of the
term, "two good suits of apparrell according to
his Degree . . ." Signed as well by Isaac Bunce
and by witnesses Lauch McLean and Samuel
Burr Jr.
Sadly, young Humphrey (surely born
November 26, 1737) would die of smallpox at
age 23, on March 8, 1761, outlived by both
parents (Dositheus Humphrey, 1709-1763 and
Anne Griswold Humphrey, 1714-1801), according to various Internet sources. He lies in the
Ancient Burying Ground not far from my own
6th-great grandfather, in Hartford.
$175
5
Manuscript Indenture
Essex County, Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England
September 7, 1758
Shoemaker ("Cordwainer")
Darkening along folds, particularly two folds closed on verso with tape which should be
removed.
". . . to learn ye Art trade or Mystery of a Cordwainer after ye manner of an apprentice
. . ." Solomon Page, a clergyman in Salisbury, Massachusetts, puts his son WILSON PAGE
as an apprentice for seven years, seven months and six days to Samuel Plummer of
Newbury. The terms are the same as in later apprentice agreements, only written and
spelled even a trifle more archaically than the examples which follow in this collection.
Signed by "Samuel Plumer," Solomon Page, and by two witnesses, both women, Sarah
Rust and Lydia Foster. Traces of red wax remaining from signature seals of the
principals. According to accompanying modern genealogical notes, Wilson PAGE would
have been thirteen years of age at this time, born in 1745. His father Solomon PAGE lived
1710-88, graduating from Harvard in 1729. He was a schoolmaster in Hampton, New
Hampshire, and a minister in Hampton, Massachusetts and later in Bath, Maine where
he was buried. Samuel PLUMER (1722-1803), born in Newbury, was a cordwainer on
Prospect Street until 1768, moving first to Exeter, and then to Epping, New Hampshire.
He was a large land-holder in Newburyport.
::WITH:: Manuscript deed of land from Moses Plumer to Samuel Plumer. In
consideration of ₤23, Moses transfers his twelfth-part of lands inherited from his father
14
Samuel Plumer, to Samuel. Moses is a cordwainer, and presumably the younger
Samuel's brother. Trace of wax seal from signature stamp. Also signed by witnesses
John Brown and Daniel Barber. Some darkening at folds, but very good.
the two documents: $175
6
Manuscript Certificate of recommendation
Boston
February 29, 1760
Gauger (one whose business is to inspect vessels; a customs officer who inspects bulk
merchandise, especially liquor casks, for excise duty purposes; a collector of excise
taxes)
Once folded into eighths. Some wear and discolor, but not bad for an item intended to
be carried about.
A NICE SURVIVAL of considerable interest to the subject of this collection, showing the
practical application of the apprenticeship system in everyday life. This certificate of
recommendation was clearly carried by the graduated apprentice and preserved
carefully. 13 X 15 cm., written in a fine and florid hand, reading in its entirety as
follows:
These are to certifie whom it may concern, that Mr William Manning
^Junior^ learned the Science of Gauging with me, & I hereby
recommend him as a person duly qualified for a Gauger.
Certified by me
John Leach
Boston Feby 29th 1760.
15
This may be William Manning, son of William Manning and Elizabeth Kettle, who was
born October 14, 1736 at Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (thus making
him a William Manning, Jr., aged 23 at the time this certificate was written); see:
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/o/w/Barbara-Ellen-Rowe/GENE10009.html#CHILD67503107
Ironically, another William Manning, an early Cambridge, Massachusetts colonist of the
1600s, was also a guager (numerous Internet references).
$125
7
Manuscript Indenture
Rehoboth, Massachusetts
July 1, 1771
"all sorts of Household work that is Comonly don by women"
Separating at folds; some staining.
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL, Elizabeth COOPER, "Daughter of James Cooper a Poor man of
. . . Rehobeth" is here put "an apprintice to James Readaway . . . (yeoman) with him to
dwell and serve . . . During the Term of Thirteen years Nine months and ten days next
ensuing or untill she . . . shall arive to ye age of Eighteen years or time of marriage . . ."
This is done "Pursuant to a Law" of the Province of Massachusetts Bay by the selectmen
of the town "with ye assent of two of his Majestyes Justices of ye Peace . . . to Bind out
Poor children . . . (Apprintices) . . ."
This guardianship apprenticeship states typical conditions of any apprentice, including
the two suits of clothing (one good for "Holidays & another for working days" to be
received at the end of the term. One unusual aspect is the specific mention, not merely
of elementary education and meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel, but also
"medisen" and "tendane" (i.e., tendance - attendance - tending?).
The child "shall serve in all Lawfull Buisness According to her wit and ability and
Honestly orderly and obediantly in all things demean and behave her self towards her sd
master . . ." SIGNED by Rehoboth Selectmen Aaron READ, William COLE, Joshua SMITH,
Shubael PECK and Philip WHEELER, and by witnesses Nathaniel TITUS and Stephen
BULLOCK. The space immediately to the right of the signatures where the seals belong
has been cut away very neatly, likely during the unexpired term to annul this agreement
or to terminate it before the girl reached the age of eighteen (due either to marriage,
death, or unmanageability).
$175
8
Partly-printed Indenture accomplished in manuscript
Providence, Rhode Island
March 3, 1784
Merchant
Nearly fine; in very nice, pleasing condition with plain paper-over-wax signature seals.
16
JAMES WALLER HEAD of Boston (age 18) whose father is dead, writes his signature well
(above), putting himself an apprentice with the consent of his mother to the firm of
Clark & Nightingale, merchant company in Providence, to learn "their Art, Trade, or
Mystery . . ."
Until June 13, 1787, James ". . . shall not commit Fornication, or contract Matrimony,
within the said Term. At Cards, Dice, or any other unlawful Game, he shall not play, . . .
shall not absent himself by Day or by Night, from his said masters Service, without their
Leave, or haunt Ale-houses, Taverns, or Play-houses . . . ," etc. The merchant firm will
"stand the said James in Meat Drink washing & Lodging during the said term . . . ," but
there is no mention of the standard promise of two suits of clothes to be provided at the
end. Nor is there any mention of an education to be provided: judging from James'
accomplished signature, he probably did not need it.
This is the only retroactive indenture in the collection, signed March 3, 1784, but
beginning the previous "thirteenth day of June last past [1786]," to continue from that
date four years until "the 13th day of June which will be in the year 1787 . . ."
With PRINTER'S SLUG running vertically, adjacent to the right margin of the main text:
"[Printed by JOHN CARTER.]" Carter, born in Philadelphia, "served his apprenticeship
with Franklin & Hall, in that city; and, in 1769, he became the successor of William and
Sarah Goddard, and proprietor of the Providence Gazette. . . . He was a staunch
supporter of the cause of our country, before its independence . . ." –Isaiah Thomas, The
History of Printing in America . . . ed. Marcus A. McCorison from the second ed.
(New York: Weathervane Books, 1970), 323.
JAMES WALLER HEAD . . .
. . . was born in Boston in 1766, and baptized in Trinity Church in that city, July 5,
1766. He was apprenticed in his youth to "Clark and Nightingale," merchants of
Providence, R. I. On reaching his majority in 1787, he settled as a merchant in
Warren, Me. He conducted a large business in dry and West India goods, in
17
lumber, and to some extent in shipbuilding and commerce. During his residence
in Providence he became attached to Miss Sarah Olney, and they were married
May 16, 1788. He was a magistrate, colonel of a regiment when there were but
two in the Province, a delegate to the Convention held in Boston for the
ratification of the Constitution of the United States by Massachusetts, while
Maine was a part of that State, and was a foremost citizen in the affairs of the
town and county. He died in Warren, Aug. 17, 1861. After the death of his wife,
Sarah Olney, Col. Head married, 2d, Frances Sandford . . . [Edmund F. Slafter,
John Checkley; Or The Evolution of Religious Tolerance in Massachusetts Bay . . .
Volume I (Boston: Published by the Prince Society, 1897), 132]
$300
9
Manuscript Indenture
Gorham, Maine
September 30, 1784
Servant
Fine
THE BLACK BOY ENOCH: The grandfather of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and others
here make guardianship provisions for "the Black boy named Enoch" as an apprentice to
Hugh and Elizabeth McLellan "after the manner of a Servant" for a period of more than
twelve years. The boy, presumably not quite nine years of age, would be taught to read
and do farming work "(if said Servant be capable to learn)."
This form was never signed, leaving us to speculate whether the boy died suddenly, ran
away, or was claimed by another party. The text of this manuscript reads as follows . . .
This Indenture Witnesseth That, —
Austin Alden, James Phinney, & Stephen Longfellow Jun r, all of Gorham, in the County of
Cumberland, Common Wealth of Massachusetts And Select men of s d Gorham, Have put,
& do by these presents, Voluntarily & of their own free will & Accord, and with the
Consent of two of the Justices of the Peace for said County, put & bind, the Black boy
named Enoch, to Hugh McLellan & Elisabeth his Wife, and with them the said Hugh &
Elisabeth, after the manner of a Servant, to Serve from the day of the date hereof, for &
during the term of twelve years & three Months to be Compleat & Ended, during all
which term, the said Servant his sd Master & Mistress faithfully shall serve, their Secrets
keep, their Lawful commands gladly everywhere obey, he shall do no Damage to his Said
Master of Mistress, nor see it to be done of others without letting, or giving Notice thereof
to his Said Master or Mistress, he shall not waste his Said Masters Goods, nor lend them
Unlawfully to any, he shall not Commit Fornication, nor Contract Matrimony within the
said term, at Cards, dice, or any other Unlawful game he shall not play, whereby his said
Master or Mistress may have Damage with their own Goods nor the Goods of others he
shall not Absent himself by Day or by Night from his said master's or Mistress Service
without their leave; nor haunt Alehouses, Taverns or Playhouses, but in all things behave
himself as a faithful Servant Ought to do, towards his said Master & Mistress, during the
said term of twelve years & three months to be Compleated & Ended. —
And the Said Hugh McLellan & Elisabeth his Wife for themselves do hereby Covenant &
18
Promise, to teach & instruct the said Servant to Read, & to do Farming work by the best
ways or means they may or can (if said Servant be capable to learn) finding unto the said
Servant sufficient Clothes, meat & Drink, washing & Lodging, in sickness & health, for, &
during the said Term, And at the Expiration threof, to give unto the said Servant Two
Suits of Apparel, One fitting for working days, the other fitting for Sabbath Days— In
Testimony whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their
hands & Seals the thirtieth Day of September, ADomini One thousand Seven hundred &
Eighty four—
Signed Sealed & Delivered
in presence of us
Displayed in the album. [I paid $182 in 1995]
10
$300
Newspaper
Philadelphia
May 28, 1785
Printer
Very good; moderate even toning and light wear.
AD FOR A PHILADELPHIA PRINTER'S APPRENTICE, 1785: THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL
AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER for Saturday, May 28, 1785 [whole number 1803]. On
page 3, Thomas BRADFORD (the printer of this newspaper) advertises for ". . . a sober
Lad, about 14 or 15 years of age, who can read and write a good hand, as an Apprentice.
Enquire of the Printer." Shades of Johnny Tremaine!
Displayed in the album. [I paid $75 in 1994]
11
$125
Partly-printed indenture form (never used)
Massachusetts? ("the Commonwealth")
ca. 1790s?
unused blank form; no writing
Very good; toning at horizontal folds.
At head: "This Indenture witnesseth, THAT . . ." Blank form never used; a nice display
piece and example of standard wording for its unstated time and place (Massachusetts?
1790s?).
Displayed in the album.
12
Manuscript Letter
[Philadelphia]
June 26, 1790
occupation not specified
Very good; modest staining
$50
19
SAMUEL MILES (1740-1805, prominent Revolutionary War officer and Pennsylvania
politician; see various biographical sources, with portrait) here writes in his capacity of
MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA, TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE REGARDING AN APPRENTICE GIRL.
LETTER SIGNED, one page with blank conjugate leaf (hand carried). Surely an
exceptional piece, reading in full as follows:
Gentlemen,
A Dispute has taken place between Mrs
Mary Robinson & James Widdefield respecting
an apprentice ^girl of Mrs Robinsons,^ and it
being out of my power to settle the matter
betwixt the Mistress & apprentice, in any other
way than by binding the parties to appear at
the next Mayors Court, which will occasion
delay & expence, I have prevailed on the
parties to leave this difference to three of their
fellow citizens, and they have accordingly
chosen you Gentlemen as persons in whom
they have confidence.
I am Gentlemen
Your Obedt Servt
Saml Miles
Mayors Office June 26th 1790
Mr Henry Drinker
Hugh Hodge
William Lane
Portrait above from an Internet source (not present in the collection)
13
$175
Manuscript Indenture
Washington, Litchfield County, [Connecticut]
August 9, 1790
Farming ("Husbandry")
Medium wear and discoloration.
John Whittlesey makes sure, in the stated terms of this indenture, that he will not be
held liable if young Joel DUNK (for whom Whittlesey is guardian) engages in any
"Misconduct . . . during his apprenticeship" to "Matthew Loggan Husbandman For and
During the Term of time untill the said Joel Shall arrive at the age of twenty One years
which will be on the 7 Day of Janry 1796 all which time his sd Master he shall Faithfully
Serve his Lawfull Commands Cheerfully Obey . . . " etc, etc.
. . . and I the said Matthew Loggan do agree and promise to Teach and Instruct
the sd Apprentice in the art or Business of Husbandry which I now follow and to
20
Provide for sd Apprentice During sd Term sufficient meat Drink Apparrel
washing and Lodging and give unto sd Apprentice at the Expiration of the sd
Term two good suits of cloaths one suit proper of suitable for Sabbath or holly
Day the other Suitable for common time or Every Day and the Sum of Twenty
Pounds Lawfull mony to be paid in the following manner (viz.) a young horse or
mare with a saddle and bridle and the remainder in Neat Cattle and also to give
him suitable schooling to Learn to Read and write and the Four ground Rules in
Arithmetick . . .
Signed by "John Whittlesey Guardian to Joel Dunk" and Matthew Loggan, and by
Martin Whittlesey and William [Sharpe?] as witnesses.
::TOGETHER WITH::
An unrelated but similar format MANUSCRIPT SHARE-CROP
AGREEMENT for the use of farm lands of Eliphalet Whittlesey, by William Whitney, with
fascinating and informative details and terms. Salisbury, Connecticut, April 7, 1819;
signed by the two parties; no witnesses. Medium wear and starting at a fold or two.
the two manuscript documents: $85
14
Manuscript Indenture
Worcester, Massachusetts
May 2, 1792
Saddler
Nearly fine.
AN OVERCOAT THROWN INTO THE BARGAIN: In a time when clothing was very costly to
make, "a Surtout or loose Coat" has been added to the benefits which young Windsor
HOWE (father deceased), not yet sixteen, will receive from Master Nathaniel Coolidge
after learning to make saddles and leaving with a rudimentary education, two suits of
clothes, and a hopeful trade. The text of this manuscript reads as follows:
This Indenture Witnesseth— That Windsor How a Minor, son of Bazeliel How late of
Boylstone in the County of Worcester deceased,- of his own free will and accord and with
the consent of Benj. Heywood Esq. of Worcester in sd. County his Guardian, doth put and
bind himself to be an Apprentice unto Nathaniel Cooledge of Worcester aforesaid
Sadler— to learn his art, Trade or Mystery and with him the said Nathaniel Cooledge after
the manner of an Apprentice to dwell and serve from the day of the date hereof for and
during the full and just Term of five years, two months and twenty nine days next
ensuing and fully to be compleated and ended during the whole of which term, the said
Apprentice, his said Master, honestly and faithfully shall serve, his secrets keep close, his
lawful and reasonable commands every where gladly do and perform; Damage to his
said Master he shall not wilfully do; his Masters Goods he shall not waste, embezel,
purloin or lend unto others; Nor suffer the same be to be [sic] wasted or purloined; but to
the utmost of his power shall forthwith discover and make known the same unto his said
Master; Taverns or alehouses he shall not frequent — At Cards, Dice or any other
unlawful Game he shall not play — Fornication he shall not commit nor Matrimony
contract with any person during said Term; - From his Masters service he shall not
unlawfully absent himself; But in all things as a good, honest and faithful Servant and
21
Apprentice shall bear and behave himself toward his said Master during the full term of
five years two months and twenty nine days commencing as aforesaid.
And the said Nathaniel Cooledge, for himself and on his part doth covenant promise and
agree unto and with his said Apprentice in manner and form following (viz) That he will
Teach him the said Apprentice or cause him to be taught by the best ways and Means that
he can the Trade Art or Mystery of a Sadler (if his said apprentice be capable to learn) And
will find and provide for and unto his said Apprentice good and sufficient Meat, drink,
washing, lodging and clothing fitting for an Apprentice during the whole of said Term and will provide for him sufficient schooling and opportunity for him to learn to read and
write english and the common and fundemental rules in aritmetick [sic]. And at the end
of the said Term, to dismiss said Apprentice with ^ a Surtout or loose Coat [i.e., overcoat]
and ^ two good suits of Apparrel for all parts of his Body one whereof to be fit for Lords
days —
In Testimony whereof the said parties to these present Indentures have interchangeably
set their hands and seals this second day of May - AD 1792 and in the sixteenth year of the
Independence of the United States of America
N.B. the words "a Surtout or loose Coat were
interlined before ensealing"—
Signed sealed and delivered
in presence of
Robert G. Franche [?]
Nathaniel Coolidge
John Stowus [?]
Displayed in the album.
15
$75
Partly-printed Indentures, accomplished in manuscript
Newbury,
Massachusetts
December 9, 1793
Farming ("husbandry")
Very good; small holes at fold junctures.
::AND::
February 11, 1795
Knitting, Spinning, Sewing
Medium wear; starting at some folds.
INDENTURES MANDATED FOR GUARDIANSHIP OF YOUNG CHILDREN OF THE POOR . . .
A. James WATERHOUSE (age three): ". . . [B]y virtue of a law of the Commonwealth" for
such cases, the local overseers of the poor place this young child in an apprenticeship for
his care, since his father is "one of the Poor who is not able to support or Maintain Self."
Little James is apprenticed to Dr. Thomas Hughes to learn the art of "Husbandry." His
term of service is necessarily very long, extending . . .
. . . from the Day of the Date hereof untill the August which will be in the year of our Lord
one thousand Eight hundred & Eleven when if the said apprentice should be living he will
be twenty one years of age.
22
The boy is to be taught "to read write and cypher as far as the rule of three, if said
printice is capable of learning . . ." Signed by two Justices of the Peace (as required in the
law mentioned) and by "Thomas Huse," December 9, 1793.
B. Hannah SHURLA (age ten): For the next eleven years (less three months), young
Hannah Shurla, "one of the poor of Said town of Newbury," will be "put and bound" to
Amos Poor, Jr., and his wife Susanna, "to learn the Art, Trade or Mystery, of Knitting
Spinning and Sewing after the manner of an Apprentice." The girl is to be taught "to
read English well and rite A Leidgble hand . . ." When her term is through, her standard
two suits of clothing must include one that is "Decent for Lords Day, and the other for
working Days." Signed by two Justices of the Peace, two witnesses, and by Amos Poor,
Jr., February 11, 1795.
Displayed in the album. [I paid $125 for the pair in 1996 and have since seen this type of
indenture for very young children offered at higher prices]
two unusual items: $185
16
Partly-printed Document accomplished in manuscript
Worcester, Massachusetts
April 1, 1794
(guardianship)
Separating at some folds, archival tape on verso.
GUARDIANSHIP DOCUMENT for Henry MOWER (age sixteen, son of Samuel Mower,
deceased, late of Worcester) assigned to Benjamin Heywood, also of Worcester. Signed
by Joseph Dorr, probate judge. Heywood was also guardian of Windsor Howe (item
14 in this collection), apprenticed to a saddle maker, 1792.
Displayed in the album.
$35
23
17
Partly-printed Documents accomplished in manuscript
Rockingham County, NH
January 1, 1794
::AND::
March 30, 1804
(guardianship)
Medium wear and stains;
verso of the 1804 item.
tape on
GUARDIANSHIP of two brothers
(sons of Joseph Graves, deceased, late
of Deerfield) assigned to William
Graves of Brentwood.
SIGNED BY EACH OF THE BOYS as they
attained "upwards of fourteen years of
age." Young Jonathan GRAVES (1794)
has tried the pen in the upper margin
of his document, then has made a
false start in his signature, having to
begin once again (shown at right):
Ten years later, his little brother
Nathaniel has approached fourteen
years of age and accordingly signs his
own guardianship document, 1804.
Displayed in the album.
18
two items: $100
Partly-printed illustrated Indenture on vellum, accomplished in manuscript
London, England
March 4, 1800
Joiner
Crease folds, but very strong; medium toning.
LONDON JOINER'S APPRENTICE INDENTURE PRINTED ON VELLUM, accomplished in
manuscript for William BRACHER (son of John Bracher, a tallow chandler) put out as an
apprentice for seven years to John Bracher the younger.
18 X 19 cm., specifically printed with ENGRAVED CARTOUCHE for joiners in London,
probably by the guild. Draftsmen's dividers appear in the coat of arms, which appears
over the motto, "JOIN LOYALTY & LIBERTY." A nude young man with fig leaf holds a
carpenter's square. The standard requisites in the text vary slightly from the usual, with
the specification that the Master's provisions for the boy conform "to the Custom of the
City of London, during the said Term." The Master has received a fee of ten pounds,
24
specified in manuscript. A superimposed revenue stamp on blue paper is embossed
with the date of 1797.
Displayed in the album. [purchased 1992]
19
$65
Newspaper
Cooperstown, New York
July 16, 1801
Merchant
Medium wear and toning; starting at some folds. Ornate subscriber name designation
at head: "Esqr Palmer"
OTSEGO HERALD: OR, WESTERN ADVERTISER for Thursday, July 16, 1801 [VII:
(Whole?) Numb[er]. 329]. Cooperstown, "Printed and published by Elihu Phinney, near
the Court-House." Numerous Phinney ads for books, forms and stationery. In the outer
column of page 3 is a nicely laid out ad . . .
WANTED,
A
BOY ,
from
fourteen
to
sixteen
years
old,
as
an
Apprentice to the Mercantile
Business.—None need apply but
one who can be well recommended. Enquire of the Printer.
July 4th, 1801.
$40
25
20
Book
Hartford
1804
Backstrip worn, with boards holding on by the strings.
[Sir John BARNARD, 1685-1764] A PRESENT FOR AN APPRENTICE: Or, A Sure
Guide, to Gain Both Esteem and Estate; With Rules for his Conduct to his Master and in the
World. By a Late Lord Mayor of London. Second American Edition. Hartford: Printed by
Lincoln & Gleason, 1804.
14 cm. 105 pp. (Contents, pp. [103]-105). Contemporary brown paste-grain-decorated
paper over wooden boards. Text somewhat browned, else very good. Half of one flyleaf remains, with neatly-written inscription: "Wm Bowles' Book. The reward of merit,
March 31, 1808." On the blank verso of the final page appears an early handwritten
aphorism under heading, "The benefits of Christs Redemption." In a blank area of page
95 facing printed text on the subject of religion is this early pencil note: "June 26th 1816
Obtained Relief in my mind [Thus?]"
OCLC locates a total of nine copies of this little book, but none in New York.
Apparently first published at London, 1740. American editions began at Boston in 1747
and Philadelphia, 1749, '74, and '78, then Boston in 1788, Albany 1798, Philadelphia 1800,
followed at last by the edition offered here, making this rather one of the later editions instead of the stated "second" American edition. A few more editions continued
afterward, with a straggler as late as 1941 (no place given) —OCLC
Treating the standard subjects mentioned in typical apprenticeship indentures, and
many others. A charming little book well-calculated to make a good boy better.
[I paid $62.50 in 2002.] $85
21
Manuscript Indenture
Pomfret, Connecticut
February 4, 1805
Housework
Very good; moderate staining.
INDENTURE MANDATED FOR GUARDIANSHIP OF A YOUNG GIRL, Susannah
EASTERBROOKS, who will turn six years old on February 19, is "A daughter of James
Easterbrooks late of said Pomfret deceased[,] who is poor & exposed to want & Distress
& there is none to take care of her . . ." In accordance with "the Statute of this State in
Law book page 343 intitled An Act for maintaining & supporting poor," Susannah is
here apprenticed by the Pomfret selectmen (with the consent of Thomas Grosvenor, "the
next Justice of the Peace for Windham County") to James and Azuleah Woodmansee
until the girl's eighteenth birthday, who,
26
. . . in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars received of said Town by the hand
of said Selectmen with said Child . . . will teach or cause the said Susannah to be
taught the Business of all kinds of House wifery Spinning Kniting & Sowing &
usual Instructions in a Farmers Family to learn her to write & read the English
Language & Cypher in the first Rules of Arithmatic to Keep her under proper
Government & provide for her in Sickness & Helth suffici^e^nt Physic Meat &
drink Washing Lodging & apparrel and at the end of the Term to dismiss her
with two good suits of Apparel propper & sutable for such an Apprentice . . .
Signed by James Woodmansee; Selectmen John W. Chandler, Ephraim Ingalls Jr. and
Ephraim Tucker; by judge Thomas Grosvenor, and by witnesses Nancy Grosvenor and
Larned Whitmore. [paid $42 in 1999]
$90
22
Partly-printed Indentures accomplished in manuscript,
plus account record for the apprentice
Utica, New York
March 11, 1810 – March 9, 1813
Printer
Very good
PRINTER'S APPRENTICE TO YOUNG WILLIAM WILLIAMS IN UTICA, NEW YORK.
Duplicate indentures signed; plus the original account sheet of the apprentice's expenses.
27
On his eighteenth birthday, William SMITH Jr. of Palatine, New York signs two copies of
his indenture with his X mark, committing himself without need of parental signature to
a term of three years as a printer's apprentice to the early Utica publishers Seward &
Williams. Future-famed Utica printer/publisher William Williams was then only
twenty-two years of age, so the two young men must have become closely associated
(although not during that first season, inasmuch as Williams left Utica five days later for
a trip to New Haven, Connecticut; see John Camp Williams, An Oneida County Printer
. . . [New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1906], 170). During the War of 1812, teen-aged
Thurlow Weed apprenticed in this same shop. The beginning of Weed's term
overlapped by five months that of William Smith (October 1812–March 1813). ". . . [H]e
put a composing stick in my hand," recalled Weed of Williams, years later,
placed some copy before me, and in an encouraging way remarked that he
would see what I could do. When he returned two or three hours later, he read
over the matter that I had been 'setting up,' and remarked kindly that I could go
with the other boys to supper. I was therefore put to work in the office and
domiciled in the house of a gentleman (William Williams) who became, and ever
remained my warm friend, and for whose memory I cherish a grateful
remembrance. In February, 1813, an attack was apprehended from the British
upon Sackett's Harbor. . . . Mr. Williams, one of my employers, volunteered
himself and consented to my leaving the office with him. (At this time Williams
was 26 and Weed 16 years old.) . . . My company was commanded by General
Nathan Seward, father of one of my employers (A[sahel]. Seward), a soldier of
the Revolution. [Thurlow Weed, as quoted with comments in An Oneida County
Printer (cited further above), 52-56]
A. "
, . . ." Unusually well-designed and printed form
using several varied fonts, with printers' slug at top reading, "Apprentice Indentures—
Seward and Williams, Printers—Utica." With standard terms, accomplished in
manuscript for "William Smith junior aged Eighteen years __________ months and
_________ days . . . Apprentice to Seward & Williams, of Utica, N.Y. to learn the Art,
Trade, or Mystery of Printing . . ." Utica, New York, March 11, 1810.
At the bottom, William Smith signs with his X mark. Below that appears a signature,
"Seward & Williams." The handwriting of the name Williams here compares very
favorably with the signature of printer William Williams illustrated in the frontispiece to
John Camp Williams' history of his father, An Oneida County Printer, cited above. Also
signed by witnesses John W. Smith (witnessing for William Smith) and James M. Miller
(witnessing for Seward & Williams). In several respects, this document is a cut above
similar indentures of this era, both in terms of production and in execution.
Little wear, but foxing or medium soil & staining. Two simple calculations written
neatly in ink in the left margin relate directly to item C below.
William Smith is to have "six months of evening school during the said term of
Apprenticeship . . ." THIS MUST HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, for on the verso of this
indenture (at the end of the three years' apprenticeship) appears his very passable
28
signature two days before his twenty-first birthday, signing below "Seward & Williams"
in agreement that "The within Indentures have been fulfilled on all parties, March 9,
1813" . . .
THE PRINTERS' APPRENTICE LEARNS TO WRITE HIS NAME: In the original indenture (top), he
signed with an X on March 11, 1810. Three years later, at the completion of his
apprenticeship, he signed his own name quite passably, "Wm. Smith Jun." on March 9, 1813.
Smith's age on the front had been given in the original text (above) on March 11, 1810 as
18 years, but no months or days. Accordingly, an Internet genealogical chart (copy
included with this collection) shows WILLIAM SMITH, son of William and Ursula
Sponable Smith, born at Lassellsville (a small settlement in the town of Ephratah, now in
Fulton County), New York on March 11, 1792. Had his parents resisted his becoming a
printer, obliging him to wait until age 18 to become an apprentice and to begin his
schooling? According to the chart, William married Sarah Smiley of Pittsburg and they
had some dozen children born 1815-41 in Pittsburg and Fredericktown, Ohio. William
died at Lima, Ohio on July 30, 1870, followed in death by his wife four years later.
29
B. "
, . . ." A second copy of the indenture, nearly
identical to the first except that here, "Seward & Williams" sign first, followed by
William Smith's X mark. The verso is blank but for filing docket, and the condition
overall is cleaner than the first copy. I speculate that this was the copy intended for the
apprentice, but that it was kept for him by the printers (along with item C, below) and
he never took it with him at the close of his apprenticeship – thus providing us a rare
exhibit of the printers' careful accounting and business practices.
C. "William Smith's a/c . . ." MANUSCRIPT ACCOUNTING RECORD of William Smith's
debts to Seward & Williams, offset by his wages. Utica, New York, June 22, 1810 –
March 9, 1813.
33 X 20 cm. 2¾ carefully-written pages of accounting (on four physical pages,
comprising two conjugate leaves). Columns hand-ruled throughout in red. Folds and
light foxing, but in very good condition.
A choice and uncommon record of a New York country printer's apprentice's receipts
and expenditures at the beginning of the nineteenth century, including during the War
of 1812. William's first charge is $7.50 for a coat, vest and pantaloons on June 22, 1810.
Properly attired, he can attend an "Exhibition," for which he buys tickets on November
14 (50¢) of that year, and again on June 12, 1811 (37½¢). William's first purchase for the
new year of 1811, however, was one Bible (January 3, for $1.00; on November 27, 1810,
the Oneida Bible Society had been formed at Utica's First Presbyterian Church, which
William Williams attended; see An Oneida County Printer, cited above, 27, 41). That fall,
he also bought a copy of "Murray's Grammar (which Seward & Williams printed;
November 2, 1811, 75¢). Further evidence of his education appears in a charge, July 3,
1812, against "Dorchester's Bill for Tuition $3.50."
On May 2, 1812, William purchased "4 Toy Books" for a total of 12½¢. Did he buy these
for young friends or siblings, or as samples of books on which perhaps he had worked
himself? The firm printed vast numbers of such items; see An Oneida County Printer, 59,
81. At the end of 1811-early 1812, William purchased some ten dollars' worth of cloth
for shirts and other purposes. He also received cash from time to time, and goods from
Utica firms, paid on his behalf by the firm and charged to him. At the end of his
apprenticeship, after deducting a little credit for extra work he had performed during
his first winter there, William's receipts from Seward and Williams totaled just under
$118. By the terms of his salary stipulated in the indentures, he had $47 coming to him.
These amounts were calculated neatly in the left margin of item A above, showing that
all these documents were kept in an orderly fashion. At the bottom of the debits section
of this account, the following is written: "Recd pay in full, [of] Seward & Williams,
Utica, March 9, 1813." Presumably, it was intended for William to sign here, but no such
signature appears. However, he did sign the verso of item A above, agreeing that
everyone had full satisfaction.
three items: $400
30
23
Manuscript Document of agreement
Hudson, [New York]
July 6, 1812
(guardianship)
Medium staining.
AN APPRENTICESHIP-LIKE AGREEMENT in manuscript (22 X 20 cm.; verso blank) reading
in its entirety as follows:
Hudson
July 6th 1812
Know all Persons by these Presants that I Miles Gardener Do
apoint My Well Beloved Frend David Daves to be a Gerdeen for
My Son James and that he the Said Davis Shall Comply with the
Articles here in [ ? ] that is to say that for and in Consideration
of James['] Labour he the Said Daves Shall furnesh James With
suffishant and Desant Apa^r^il for one Year and and [sic] Giv
him half a quarter schooling
as Witness My hand
David Davis
Miles Gardenr [? sic]
[witness] Abner Austin
The writing is large, primitive-looking, and descends downward across the page.
24
$65
Newspaper
Windsor, Vermont
December 4, 1815
Printer
Tattered and rumpled
SPOONER'S VERMONT JOURNAL (newspaper, Windsor, Vermont). At the lower
right corner of the third page, we see printer Alden Spooner's ad for "AN active Boy, as
an Apprentice to the Printing Business—" Just above, there appears a disgusted notice
about a similar boy who has run away.
Displayed in the album.
25
$5
Newspaper
Concord, New Hampshire
November 19, 1816
Toned, but in very good condition.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE PATRIOT. Concord, (New-Hampshire) Printed by Isaac Hill,
Publisher of the Laws of the United States. Tuesday, November 19, 1816 [VIII:33; Whole
No. 397].
31
"ONE SPANISH POTATOE REWARD !" is offered by Newell Fogg for Phinehas
RUSSELL, "an indented apprentice boy . . . in the eighteenth year of his age. This is to
forbid all persons harboring or trusting him on my account, as I will pay no debts of his
contracting after this date. October 17, 1816." (page 3, column 5)
Immediately below is a similar ad:
TAKE NOTICE
WENT away form the subscriber, a lad,
about eighteen years old, by the name of
Josiah Emory. I hereafter forbid all persons
harboring or trusting him on my account, as
I shall pay no debts of his contracting.
JONATHAN EMORY.
Orange, Vt. Nov. 12, 1816
$40
26
Partly-printed Indenture,
accomplished in manuscript
Richland Township, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania
January 9, 1818
Shoemaker
Printer's slug at head: "PRINTED BY JOHN BIOREN,
No. 88, Chesnut-Street [Philadelphia], for
ISAAC PEARSON."
Very good; starting along one fold.
SHOEMAKER APPRENTICE SAMUEL HEACOCK
signs himself into service for more than 4½
years to a master of the same name (Samuel
Heacock, who also signs), "with the Advice
and Consent of Jessee Heacock his Guardian
duly Appointed." Jessee signs as one of the
witnesses, above the signature of second
witness Edward Foulke.
Sam is to receive nine months' of day schooling over the four years. An unusual added
stipulation will excuse him during "One Week in harvest each and every year to work
for him self . . ." At the end, he will receive "two Suits of Apparrel, One thereof to be
New of the Vallue of ten Pounds–"
$85
32
27
Manuscript Letter
Trenton, New Jersey
January 1, 1822
Printer
Very good
LETTER FROM THE FATHER OF PRINTERS' APPRENTICE CHARLES FENTON, serving in the
firm of Clark & Raser, Printers, Philadelphia. D. FENTON to Messrs. Clark & Raser. A
choice, nearly archetypal communication from a solicitous father to ideal masters whom
he hopes and trusts his son will serve faithfully and well. For an extract from this
unusual item, see page 4 (further above, in the introduction to this collection).
Displayed in the album with full transcription.
28
$50
Manuscript Document of agreement
Enfield, Massachusetts
April 1, 1826
Mason
Very good; some moderate staining.
A rather non-standard agreement negotiated for a four year term of service, but only
nine months out of the year. Luke S. BROWN, a minor, will do masonry work and learn
the mason trade if capable. However, he will be free during January–March of each
year, will provide his own spending money, and will receive a stipulated salary each
year beginning at $32 for the first year. Signed by the master, Benjamin F. POTTER,
young BROWN, and Brown's guardian Sylvanus HOWE, a gentleman. Also signed by
Thomas B. Potter and Bathsheba Brown as witnesses. Receipt notes for annual
payments are signed further below by Sylvanus Howe, and on the blank conjugate leaf,
a brief statement of mutual satisfaction and dissolving of the agreement signed by the
three principal parties at Enfield on August 11, 1828.
$45
29
Manuscript Letter
East Sudbury, Massachusetts
April 1, 1826
general labor by a mentally disabled man
Very good. The handwriting is remarkably clear.
NON COMPOS MENTIS: William Bridge, guardian of "Jonas DUDLEY of said East
Sudbury, non compos mentis," contracts out the general labor services of Dudley to local
large landholder Abel Glezen for one year. Bridge and Glezen sign at the bottom
agreeing that the mentally-challenged laborer shall have his clothes and boots
maintained as nicely as those of Mr. Glezen himself. The salary for the year will be $22,
or $25 if Glezen finds he can afford it at the end of the year. Glezen will dole out a small
portion of this to Jonas directly as deemed appropriate, sending the rest to guardian
33
Bridge to provide for Jonas' needs. While this is not an apprenticeship agreement, it
offers a valuable example of benevolent employment where more than mere wages were
considered. An unusual feature of this document is the allowance for named holidays
off work . . .
. . . in quality of a labouring man; during all which time he shall, according to
his health and strength, of body and mind, labour for said Glezen, excepting
that, if said Dudley requests, he may have town meeting days, [militia] training
days, election, & Independent [sic] days for his amusement and gratification
with out prejudice to this agreement.
. . . – six dollars thereof to be dealt out by said Glezen to said Dudley, in small
sums, & at such times as said Glezen in his discretion, may think it best for said
Dudley, for his gratification, the account of which payments, is to be kept by
said Glezen in writing, as said payments are made; and the remaining is to be
paid to said Bridge, when wanted to be laid out for his clothing.
Provided nevertheless that if a greater loss of time should be sustained by
reason of a regular fit of sickness than hath been usual, a reasonable allowance
is to be made to said Glezen from his wages, on that account.
[paid $40 in 2008]
30
$75
Pamphlet
Wellington, Salop [Shropshire] and London
1826
Printer
Very good, in very good original brown printed wrappers. Engraved armorial
bookplate (affixed to blank verso of title) of Edward Arnold/Andrew W. Arnold, The
Grove, Dorking, Surrey.
THE PIOUS APPRENTICE; Or, The Life of James Douglas. Third Edition. Wellington,
Salop [Shropshire]: Printed by and for F. Houlston and Son. And sold at their
warehouse, 65, Paternoster-Row, London. 1826.
14 cm. [1]f.; [5]-34 pp. + engraved frontispiece (of the dying boy upon a bed; a tearful
woman admitting a gentleman enquirer at the door) affixed to inside of front wrapper.
Houlston ads on outside of back wrapper. Evidently complete thus, as issued.
RARE. OCLC finds only one copy, preserved at Columbia University Teachers College
(same pagination, but no mention of the engraved frontispiece present here). The
American Antiquarian Society holds an American version by the Baptist General Tract
Society published at Philadelphia, ca. 1830-33; no other copies or other editions on
OCLC.
Dreadfully didactic children's piece about the happy death of a well-behaved printer's
apprentice in Cumberland who would come home after twelve hours of work and pray
with his fellows.
$150
34
FROM THE LIBRARY OF EDWARD ARNOLD, item 320 in the highly limited catalog printed in
1921. His son recalled the background for items such as the present pamphlet . . .
Remembering as he did, when David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby and others came
out in their original green covers, and the eagerness with which he read them, I often
wonder that my father had not more first editions of Dickens, and so, strangely enough,
as far as Dickens is concerned, a little book given to me one Christmas by the late Mr.
George Gurney, of Eastbourne, and bought by him at the Gad's Hill sale, is the rarest of
all ; for this is the very book Dickens carried about with him when he gave his readings
of Bardell v. Pickwick, etc. It is very interesting to note his alterations, so that in many
cases the wording is totally different from what Dickens ever wrote in any edition. To
ninety-nine out of a hundred ordinary people, this little book, I have found, will excite
more real interest than the most lovely edition of La Fontaine's Fables, Chansons de
Laborde, or " Les Baisers " of Dorat, etc.
To his family, at any rate, the collection of Chap-books is very interesting, for my father,
so far as I know, never bought any. He inherited them in the same way as some of the
French furniture, Sevres and, Dresden china. He always set great store on these little
books, as in many cases they have the names of his brothers and his sister, who all predeceased him, in them.
—[Andrew W. Arnold], A Catalogue Of The Library Formed By Edward Arnold. (The Grove,
Dorking, Surrey: Privately Printed, 1921. Limited to Twenty Numbered Copies), iv-v.
http://www.archive.org/stream/catalogueoflibra00arnoiala/catalogueoflibra00arnoiala_dj
vu.txt
35
31
Newspaper
Auburn, New York
May 9, 1827
Multiple fold creases and medium wear.
A RUN-AWAY APPRENTICE BLACK GIRL, ABOUT ELEVEN YEARS OLD: FREE PRESS, Printed
and Published every Wednesday Morning, by Richard Oliphant, on the west corner of
south and Genesee-Streets. Auburn, (Cayuga County, N. Y.) Wednesday, May 9, 1827
[III:50]. A more interesting newspaper than many, with excellent ads with small
vignettes, one of which offers a front-page notice: "ONE CENT REWARD" (bottom of
column four) for a runaway "apprenticed boy, by the name of JAMES LOCKWOOD
DAVIS, about 13 years of age. . . . Whoever will return the said boy, shall receive the
above reward, but no charges [expenses]. WILLIAM LENTON. May 2, 1827 . . ." With
tiny woodcut image of a male walking with a small knapsack tied to a stick over his
shoulder.
A similar ad without illustration appears in the first column of page[3]. Again, a "ONE
CENT REWARD" is offered, but this time the subject is perhaps more interesting . . .
RANAWAY from the subscriber, on the 27th
ult. an indented black girl, by the name of
SOPHIA AYERS, aged about 11 years. All
persons are forbid harbouring or trusting
her on my account, as I will pay no debts of
her contracting after this date. Whoever
will return said girl, shall receive the above
reward, but no charges. JOHN SERVICE.
Auburn, May 9, 1827."
$65
32
Newspapers
Norwich, Connecticut
April-July, 1827
Medium wear and foxing. The latter issues each have an article neatly clipped from the
back leaf.
NORWICH COURIER. Published every Wednesday by J. Dunham. (newspaper,
Norwich, Connecticut). Three issues, each with material of interest to this collection:
A. Issue for Wednesday, April 18, 1827 [New Series VI:3]. With four apprentice ads on
the back leaf. On the bottom of the final column of the back page, we read:
"RANAWAY FROM the subscriber on or about the 20th Sept last, an indented apprentice
girl by the name of Nabby Fanning. All persons are forbid harboring or trusting her on
penalty of the law. H. N. TRACY. Norwich, April 10, 1827." The ad includes a small
woodcut vignette of a black man in abbreviated African garb walking rapidly with a
walking stick.
36
Also on the back page, the Norwich Leather Store wants "A smart active lad, of 15 or 16
years of age as an apprentice at the Morocco business. One from the country would be
preferred." Adjacent in the next column, the Yantic Woolen Manufactory seeks "TWO or
three Young Men from 15 to 17 years of age, who are desirous of learning the Flannel
Manufacturing business . . ." "Wanted Immediately," advertises Alpheus Kingley on the
third page, "A BOY from 15 to 17 years of age, as an apprentice to the Stone Cutting
Business."
This issue also includes a critical editorial review of "Another book, professing to
disclose the secrets of Freemasonry, on the celebrated Morgan plan," which has recently
appeared in New York, and "only awaits the formation of a tragical story of the author's
death, to become a lucrative concern." This cynical anti-antimasonic editorial is written
by the Masonic editor.
B. Issue for Wednesday, June 13, 1827 [New Series VI:11]. "APPRENTICES," a frontpage article taken from the Baltimore Advertiser" (7½ column inches of small type)
regrets declining morality or character of present-day apprentices . . .
We find our places of public amusement thronged with them and too often
have we to remark that the attraction which has brought them here, proceeds
from the excesses which are unfortunately attendant on such places—Surely
there must be some fault, and where is it to be found? We answer in the want
of exercise of moral discipline on the part of masters. It is not to be expected
that youth, thoughtless and giddy in the pursuit of self gratification, will take
time to count the consequences. The young eye is too much dazzled with the
glitter and glare of present enjoyment, to see the path which leads to future high
standing, earned by worth and integrity of character; . . .
C. Issue for Wednesday, July 25, 1827 [New Series VI:17]. "Apprentices," an article atop
the first column of the second page (6 column inches of small type) is signed, "Aristides,"
and warns of the vice and immorality of journeymen, tolerated by otherwise upstanding
masters or owners of business where young apprentices are liable to be corrupted.
Parents should investigate not only the prospective masters of their sons, but the handson workers in those shops as well . . .
What a place one of these shops must be for an apprentice? What must be his
inevitable fate, it is not difficult to predict. It is morally certain that while
learning the trade, he will also learn to imitate the ruinous practices of his
seniors. . . . until at length by imperceptible steps, he becomes assimilated to
them, and it is too late to retrace.
The writer deplores owners who view outward propriety as mere social expediency, but
who do not care how their journeymen behave so long as a profit is turned.
the three newspapers: $85
37
33
Manuscript Certificate of recommendation
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
January 1828
Clothier
Once folded small and carried about with wear and separations; later pasted down on
another piece of paper and folded again.
AN INTERESTING SURVIVAL of considerable interest to the subject of this collection,
showing the practical application of the apprenticeship system in everyday life. This
CERTIFICATE OF RECOMMENDATION was clearly carried by the graduated apprentice and
preserved carefully. 15½ X 19 cm., reading in its entirety as follows:
To all whom it may concern.
This certifies that the bearer Samuel Foot, has served his
apprenticeship at the clothiers business in my shop, has lived in my
family and has worked five years at said business,– that he is a good
workman, faithful & industrious. I do therefore cheerfully
reccommend him to the notice, encouragement, protection &
patronage of all persons in all countries where he may sojourn.
Pittsfield Mass. January [?]d 1828.
Jonathan Allen 2d
$90
34
Manuscript text
No place given
No date given; ca. 1830s?
Clerk/Bookkeeper
Very good but for some medium staining.
"THE FOLLOWING ARE INSTRUCTIONS given by the Father to his Son on his going to serve
as an apprentice in a merchandise house . . ." One page of manuscript text, verso blank.
Perhaps copied from a printed source for the benefit of some young apprentice around
the 1830s, reading as follows . . .
I shall confine myself at present to a few remarks only respecting the relative situation
between yourself and master.
1st You are to give your constant attendance at the counting room or store (business or
no business) during office hours except you are sent out by Mr. S. or go by his
permission.
2d When out on business finish it with despatch and return immediately.
3d Keep your store in the most regular and neatest ^order^ especially your desks books
and papers.
4th Whatever business you may have on hand execute it not in a hurry but in the best
style instantly without delay "Procrastination is the thief of time"
5 Whenever you deliver an article see that it is charged the very first thing you do. It
will require your utmost attention and consideration to enable you to execute your
duties faithfully and correctly especially till practice makes business familiar
38
6th The last and most important, you are inviolably to keep your masters secrets, relate
none of his business not even to your most intimate friend. A breach of this injunction
would be treason on your part and the reason will be obvious to you. M r S. will
cheerfully grant you every indulgence. Should you want to be absent an hour or even
more he will not object, but you must be careful never to ask these favors when your
presence is necessary in the store. Think it not derogatory to perform any work
amongst the goods in the store, the exercise will be useful to strengthen your muscles
and preserve your health. Be careful to improve your hand writing by copying in the
best style and when you write a letter you should do it as if it was to be inspected by all
your acquaintance and you should never write fast. I suspect this pen, ink, and paper, is
thrown away [i.e., not really necessary] for I believe your own good sense would point
you to the path of duty and rectitude in all cases.
Your affectionate Father
$45
35
Manuscript verse
No place given
ca. 1830s?
Medium wear and some stains.
"Song, the Poacher." Delightfully primitive (if artlessly-metered) transcription, perhaps
from memory, of the still-classic jingle, "The Lincolnshire Poacher" which was first
published ca. 1775, contemplating the joys of successful poaching. For surprisingly
extensive background and audio clips, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lincolnshire_Poacher The version written here fills
one tall page and the top of its verso, beginning thus:
Song, the Poacher.
When I was bound apprentice,
In fair Linconshire [sic]
Full well I served my Master
For more than seven long years;
'Till I first took to poaching, as you shall quickly hear
For its my delight in a shiny night, in the season of the year.
$45
36
Pamphlet
Philadelphia
1832?
Medium wear and light foxing.
John SERGEANT.
AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED AT THE REQUEST OF THE
MANAGERS OF THE APPRENTICES' LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA,
23 November 1832. By John Sergeant, LL.D., President of the Institution. Philadelphia:
Printed by James Kay, Jun. & Co., Minor Street, n.d. [but 1832?]
39
22½ cm. [3]-37 pp. + yellow printed wrappers. OCLC locates a total of 29 copies,
including the British Library; but in New York, only the copies at the New York
Historical Society and the NY Public Library.
Verbose, yet masterfully written, drawing primarily on historical illustrations of the
advancement and dissemination of learning. Sergeant urges support of the Apprentices'
Library which . . .
. . . was founded about twelve years ago, . . . and has been sustained entirely by
voluntary contributions of books or money. It now contains about eight
thousand volumes, of every description, many of them worn and defaced. From
the monthly report of September, it appears, that seven hundred and ninety-five
boys were then using the books, and that the average number throughout the
year is about nine hundred. [pp. 34-35]
Sergeant adds that "Upwards of five thousand Apprentices have had the use of the
library since its foundation." (p. 35n.) Society, he observes, is integral like the human
frame. "All the parts are connected. . . . It is the interest of every one therefore to seek to
promote the welfare of others, for it his own." (pp. 35-36)
$40
37
Manuscript Indenture
Jefferson County, New York
April 5, 1833
Blacksmith
Toned; starting at horizontal folds with a little textual loss in one area of both sides.
Well paid, but no medical . . . BLACKSMITH APPRENTICE Manly LOOMIS, age fifteen,
with the consent of his father [Alvan] Loomis of Champion, Jefferson County, New
York, signs nicely, with his father, beneath the signature of Nathan Starks, "Blacksmith
of Carthage in the Town of Wilna," same county. In return for five years' service, Manly
will learn "the art trade and Mystery of Blacksmithing" if he behaves well. He will
receive four to five dollars a month, and at the end, $25 in cash and $75 worth of
clothing. However (perhaps out of sad past experience in this very physical trade), it is
stipulated in the terms that master Starks shall "incur no expense for any sickness or
lameness which the Said Manly Loomis may have during his apprenticeship."
$75
38
Partly-printed Indenture accomplished in manuscript
Germantown, Pennsylvania
April 11, 1833
Farmer
Nearly fine.
PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN FATHER FREDERICK MONNINGER signs below the more modernstyle signature of his son MICHAEL MONNINGER who here agrees to serve a four-year
40
apprenticeship to "Samuel Harvey of said Germantown Gentleman Farmer." Harvey
also signs, as does Justice of the Peace Jedidiah Strong with his attest note on July 26,
1833.
. . . He shall not absent himself day nor [sic] night from his said master's service,
without his leave; nor haunt ale-houses, taverns of play-houses; but in all things
behave himself as a faithful apprentice ought to do, during the said term. And
the said master shall use the utmost of his endeavours to teach, or cause to be
taught or instructed, the said apprentice in the trade or mystery of Farmer and
procure and provide for him sufficient meat, drink, wearing apparel lodging and
washing, fitting for an apprentice, during the said term of four years to give him
two quarters day schooling and two quarters night schooling and when free a good every
day suit and a new suit of Sunday clothes.
The terms are not atypical, yet remain interesting. The spaces left blank in this printed
form for the gender-specific pronouns remind us that girls could be apprentices, too.
$60
39
Pamphlet
Albany, New York
1833
Disbound, medium foxing, an oxidation hole in blank margin area of first two leaves.
William B[uell]. SPRAGUE. A DISCOURSE, Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 17,
1833, in St. Peter's Church, IN AID OF THE ALBANY APPRENTICE'S LIBRARY, At the
Request of the Trustees. By William B. Sprague, D.D., Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church
in Albany. Albany: Printed by Hosford and Wait, 1833.
20½ cm. [1 (title)]f.; [1]-25 pp.
OCLC locates fifteen copies (four in New York; none between Albany and Buffalo).
Sprague warns of vice and corruption into which young apprentices are thrown by the
influence of their fellow workers. He paints a particularly dire scene of . . .
. . . those dark retreats in which infidels come together to talk over their impious
creed . . . or to those haunts of midnight revelry in which the profligate and the
profane meet for intoxication and riot; or . . . a single institution in the midst of
us, in which, if I mistake not, are the elements of almost every vice; a public
fountain of immorality and crime, which sends out its streams of death in every
direction—need I say that I refer to the theatre? Here is all that is brilliant to
attract, with all that is malignant to destroy. [p. 8]
As an alternative to such corruption, "by the liberality of our citizens in preceding years,
a library, which contains now upwards of two thousand volumes, has been established,
with a view to their intellectual and moral improvement. I shall ask you by and by, to
contribute something for the enlargement of this library; . . ." Sprague explains that
"there is in the midst of us a large class who are learning some or other of the various
41
mechanical trades," and these apprentices can benefit greatly from this library (p. 2).
Even female apprentices, he learns, "extensively avail themselves of it." (p. 3n.)
$15
40
Manuscript Letter
New York City
(Cazenovia, New York interest)
April 2, 1837
Druggist
Very good.
CAZENOVIA'S NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER SENDS HIS SON TO NEW YORK CITY TO BECOME A
DRUGGIST.
A superbly informative letter on the relative merits of country vs. city
apprenticeship and related factors. From M. B. EDSON, New York City, to his uncle John
T. FAIRCHILD in Cazenovia, Madison County, New York, April 2, 1837.
24½ X 20 cm. 3½ pp. on two conjugate leaves, + address portion postmarked from New
York City. Very good.
Mr. Fairchild, the recipient, was then publisher of Cazenovia's Republican Monitor
newspaper. It had been antimasonic, and was probably not particularly flourishing by
this time (for more about Fairchild and this newspaper, see Rick Grunder, Mormon
Parallels [Lafayette, New York, 2008], 1338). From context of this letter, plus a bit of
historical background checking, it is clear that Fairchild was not grooming his son John
to be a printer, but instead had sent him to apprentice at the New York City firm of
Rushton and Aspinwall, wholesale and retail druggists, where his nephew (the writer of
the letter) was then also employed. Young John had now been there for seven months,
and was proving hard-working and satisfactory. However, the work was very hard,
including Sundays and evenings.
Even worse, it was becoming evident that
Mr. Fairchild would have to expend at least $100 per year for his son's lodging and
clothing - whereas in a country apprenticeship, such things would normally be included
free as part of the terms of the indenture.
Fairchild has written his nephew to see if Rushton & Aspinwall will increase John's
salary. Nephew Edson (the boy's cousin) here replies that Messrs. Rushton and
Aspinwall cannot do that, as there are plenty of other boys ready to accept such a
position on the regular terms. In addition,
should they increase his salary, there are several other Boys (who have worked
1½ @ 2 years for the same terms while they have been paying an extra price for
Board) who would have reason for complaint, of Injustice, or partiality as they
have all made similar applications to them, which have alike been not Granted So it appears that others think it worthwhile to pay the extra expense attending
the course of apprenticeship, for reasons which they best know . . .
It is evident that Mr. Fairchild is as solicitous of his son as he is concerned for the extra
expense of lodging which he may not be able to bear. In his letter to this nephew, he
had apparently referred to young John's apprenticeship as an ordeal. Mr. Edson devotes
42
the bulk of this letter to the issues at hand. In the process, he provides historians with
some choice perspective and insights which would be difficult to surpass in other
sources, as seen in the extracts which follow . . .
One thing is certain - that a person cannot Learn a Profession, or trade without
going through a course of instruction; sooner or later, it must be done, the
knowledge must be obtained, and as the question was asked "whether I would
be willing 'to pass through the ordeal' again for the compensation which I am
now receiving" I will answer it by saying that were I as young as John was last
August, and could get a good situation - in New York or elsewhere - in which I
could learn the whole trade - I would willingly serve four or five years
apprenticeship therein Edson goes on to emphasize this point, providing a summary of his own job and salary
history in Batavia and New York City, and adds that he did not have the advantage of a
full apprenticeship, which cuts his present earning power. While now receiving $800
per year from Rushton & Aspinwall, he would be earning hundreds more per year if he
had learned the whole trade by means of a competed apprenticeship. As it is, he has
many expenses, a lower income than if he had apprenticed thoroughly, and insufficient
job security, as his position is not permanent. He does not wish to get in the middle of
this situation, but reports that his bosses want young John to be happy, and will release
and give him a good recommendation if Mr. Fairchild decides to remove him from his
apprenticeship. Nephew Edson then concludes with a valuable comparison of
apprentice life, duties and prospects in country vs. city:
I am still of the opinion (one which I think I mentioned before John came to the
city) that a youth may learn the business with greater facility in a store in a
village, then in a city: –provided he has a good teacher, and applies himself to
study during his leisure hours, (and what clerk in the country cannot find some,)
while here, a minute, is considered almost an equivalent [of an hour]! and work
is done nearly in the same ratio.
John says he is willing to act just as you shall direct. . . .
So far as I am concerned, it is my wish to have John make as short a job of it as
possible, for his own good and the interests [i.e., cost consideration] of your
family . . . should you not feel able to pay this sum for what may not seem an
equivalent [benefit] it may be best to decide in favor of his going in the country
where[,] could he obtain a good situation, he might earn his Board and enough to
clothe himself at least & perhaps lay up something at the end of the year and
know more of the every day transactions than he would in double the time here
in the city - where he would not be called upon to work on the sabbath - [here a
new, final page begins, and one must simultaneously read two columns
separated by a blank panel, jumping the blank area with each line] or so late in
the evening - thereby affording him more time to read & study than he can
possibly find here in any situation with which I am acquainted.
$175
43
41
Manuscript Letter
Boston
July 29, 1838
occupation not specified
Quite worn, with minor loss.
WHEN THE APPRENTICESHIP IS OVER. William B. TURPIN writes from Boston to his
father Joseph W. Turpin in West Springfield, Massachusetts. This is an uncommon
communication (I have seen no other apprentice-related letter like it) in which the
writer, recently having completed an apprenticeship, now expresses the challenge of
business for himself. He is sleepy and working long hours, and is trying to earn enough
to buy his own tools. The splendid text reads in part as follows . . .
I used to think I should be glad when I was 21 because I should then be my own
man but I find that there is anxiety and responsibility resting upon me but I shall
try to discharge all my duties with honour to the best of my abilities you must
excuse this letter if it is short[,] as I feell sleepy I have to work early and late this
warm season . . . you say that it will not be in your power to help me by giving
me money. My dear Father you have done more for me than I can ever repay
few young men have had the advantages that I have had . . . I have every thing
to be thankfull for . . . and feell as happy as though you could give me thousands
I think it is all the better for a young man to start low as to the worlds goods[,]
for what he gains will seem to be of more value . . .
Displayed in the album, with transcription.
42
Partly-printed Indenture accomplished in
manuscript
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
May 23, 1838
Farming
A few modest stains, but very good.
...:
William DEWES (apparently age 17) with the
consent of his mother Elizabeth Patton puts
himself an apprentice to Samuel Harvey "to
learn the art, trade, and mystery of the
Farming business . . ." The term will be for
three years, four months and twenty-seven
days. Besides food, lodging and clothing,
William will receive "Two quarters day
schooling and one quarter night schooling:
when free to have a good new freedom suit of
clothes besides his every day clothes." All
A GOOD NEW FREEDOM SUIT OF CLOTHES
$45
44
parties sign below, William with his X mark; also signed by witness Jacob Reaver who
records this indenture the same day according to docket on verso.
$65
43
Manuscript verse
Colesville, [state not given, but apparently New York]
February 22, 1838
Wearing and separating.
"Printice boy." SEMI-LITERATE MANUSCRIPT FOLK VERSE, a version of the classic "Sheffield
Apprentice" that was popular at the time (see further below). This text varies dramatically
from a version I found online, and contains too many technical errors to have been
copied from a printed source. Probably written from someone's memory, this single leaf
of paper is complete in eight quatrains, and is ornately inscribed at the end with the
place and date indicated, from Miss Sarah Ann KELLEY to Miss [Imogene?] Doolittle.
COLESVILLE, Broome County, New York (a small community where some of the earliest
Mormons lived and where Joseph Smith performed his first "miracle") had citizens with
both of these surnames.
The poem tells how the narrator left his apprentice master to serve a lady in London
who then proposed to him. Alas, he had already promised his heart to her
chambermaid Polly. The jealous lady slipped her ring in his pocket, had him arrested
for theft, and he will now die on the scaffold for love of - in the manuscript rendition
here - Sally . . .
Come all you that stand around me my cruel fa[te] to see
Dont glory in my downfall I prey do pity me
Farewell my loveing parents I bid this world adieu
Farewell my charming Sally I die for loveing you
The following background was accessed on the Internet at:
http://www.contemplator.com/england/sheffield.html
This was printed on numerous broadsides throughout England in the early
1800s. Several of these can be found at the Bodleian Library. Vaughan Williams
collected this version in Norfolk, and it appeared in his Folk Songs from the Eastern
Counties (1908).
The song is also known as The Sheffield 'Prentice Boy and there is another version,
Farewell Lovely Polly, where the apprentice is Cornish. There is also a version in
which the apprentice is from Birmingham. In some later versions, the apprentice
is from London.
The Sheffield Apprentice was as popular at sea as it was on land, and appears in
several songs of the sea collections, including Huntington's Songs the Whalemen
Sang and Creighton's Maritime Folk Songs.
$40
45
44
Printed U.S. Government Document
Washington, D.C., Blair & Rives, printers.
March 2, 1839
Sailors
Neatly disbound, else nearly as new.
"DOCUMENTS on The subject of apprenticing boys on merchant vessels, and the
establishment of nautical schools." [caption title. 25th Congress, 3rd Session; Senate
Document 300]. 5 pages. Discussing means to improve the education and safe
experience of boys destined for marine life. It is pointed out that the U.S. Navy derives
its recruits from the merchant marine, so it would be to the nation's benefit to subsidize
such projects.
$20
45
Manuscript Indenture
Tremont, Tazewell County, Illinois
January 6, 1845
occupation not specified
Very good.
A BIBLE THROWN IN: The only indenture I have seen adding scriptures to the benefits.
With the consent of his mother Sabrina Demnan or Damnan or Damon (one of the
worst-written and least consistent documents in this collection), young Seth DAMON,
not yet thirteen, agrees to enter an apprenticeship to Gordon F. Saltenstall of unstated
occupation, "to dwell with & serve said Saltenstall from the date hereof until the
thirtienth [sic] day of March in the year 18567 at which time the said Seth Demnan will
be twentyone years of age . . ."
Most of the terms are fairly standard, except that besides two new suits of clothes at the
end, Seth will also receive "a Bible Also Fifty dollars . . ." Seth signs with his mark,
between the signatures of his mother and Mr. Saltenstall; also signed at "attest" by
Marshall [Linly?].
$40
46
Manuscript indenture
Deerpark, Orange County, New York
January 21, 1847
Farmer
The pale blue paper yellowed along the horizontal folds, but with only minor wear.
A. TO BE A FARMER'S BOY: James SCULLIN is only thirteen years old, but from today
(January 21, 1847) until he is twenty-one, he will work as an apprentice to James D.
Swartwout, "Farmer." Jimmy will receive six months of schooling, and at the end of his
term, $75 plus $24 worth of clothing.
UNABLE EVEN TO HANDLE A PEN, the boy "signs" the back of this indenture with his
splattered ink mark above the signatures of his father and Mr. Swartwout . . .
46
. . . Yet who knows what potential may be fulfilled? Take a moment to read the
poignant lines displayed in the album adjacent to the indenture . . .
B. "A Song for the Young Granger or Farmer's Boy." by Capt. S. G. Johnston, "For the
Clayton Grange." Small BROADSIDE, 21½ X 10 cm. No imprint, but later nineteenth
century? Condition essentially as new.
OCLC locates only one copy, at Brown University, plus one other which the New York
State Library calls a musical score (but which appears to be the same item, judging from
their description) and saying Clayton, NY? 1870-1890?.
C. An unusually artistic mounted PHOTOGRAPH (or print from a photograph) of a
young boy posed in older-period clothing, hiking through the country with his dog.
17 X 25 cm. Ca. early 1900s?
For the compiler of this collection (adopted son of a farmer), the small group of items
described here presented the greatest psychological obstacle to selling the apprenticeship collection. Displayed in the album.
three items: $90
47
Manuscript Document of agreement
"Marion" (no state given)
March 29, 1848
chores and farming
Very good; a few stains.
"to clothe the boy deasently to go to meting . . ." Not an apprenticeship, but sufficiently
interesting in its precise details regarding a minor to merit inclusion in this collection.
The agreement is written on light blue paper and signed by Mr. Edy Arnold only,
reading in its entirety as follows:
Marion March 29th 1848
March 29th 1848 Edy Arnold this day agrees and commences to work for
Lewis McLouth at twelve Dollars per month for seven ^months^ the said
Arnold is to have one week in harvest to be deducted from the seven month
[sic] and John Arnold is to live with us and whilst the said Arnold is
performing the above labour and whilst there is a school the said Arnold is to
send John to school and when there is no school John is to perform any
reasonable business the said McLouth shall set him ab[o]ut that he may be
47
industerous [sic] and whilst attending school John is to attend to Choreing for
the said McLouth such as the said McLouth shall wish and if the said
McLouth shall have special business for John[,] John shall leave school
occasionally as necessity requires and the said Arnold is to allow the said
McLouth fifty cents per week for the whole time to be deducted from the said
Arnolds wages and as soon as convenient the said Arnold is to clothe the
^boy^ deasently to go to meting and the boy is to atteng [sic] Church on Lords
day with the family of said McLouth with the exception that the said Arnold
shall wish to take John with him to some other meeting with him washing
and mending done for said Arnold & boy gratis
Edy Arnold
$50
48
Pamphlet
New York
1850
Disbound, yellowing and gatherings separating.
Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents (New York City). Annual Report.
. . . IN ASSEMBLY, JAN. 23, 1850. TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
MANAGERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REFORMATION OF JUVENILE
DELINQUENTS. [caption title; at head: "State of New=York. No. 172."]
23 cm. 63 pp. OCLC locates only the copy at the Library Company of Philadelphia (but
there have to be more, cataloged as parts of the series).
See also item 52. If the condition of this pamphlet leaves something to be desired, the
disappointment stops there. This is an exceptionally interesting and uplifting
compilation, giving the history of the institution plus a staggering array of revealing
statistics. Before-and-after reports of the inmates' literacy are simply arresting (many
new inmates not knowing the alphabet, and only one able to read well; much improved
afterwards). A large portion of the publication gives statistics, anecdotes, and texts of
letters regarding boys and girls (white and black) who were apprenticed out to masters.
This is indeed an engaging and informative report.xxx
January 9 [1849]. W. B., who left the Institution twelve years ago, called to
see us this day. He is now engaged with a firm in New-York, and
represents himself as doing a prosperous business. His appearance was
gentlemanly and business-like. He is married and has an interesting family.
A. M. (col[ore]'d) also visited us; he left the house ten years ago, and
faithfully served out his term of apprenticeship: he is a fine specimen of the
col'd family. Since the expiration of his indentures, he has been living with
a gentleman in N.J.
He appears well-disposed and intelligent, and is making a visit to his
mother in New-York. He will return to his employment again in a few
days.
He expresses many thanks for the benefit he believes to have received
during his stay in the Refuge. [p. 35]
48
And from an apprentice master, writing back to the superintendent of the House of
Refuge:
April 3, 1849
Respected Friend—The bearer, A. McD., who was indentured to me from the
refuge, and whose term of service expired on the first of May last, has
concluded to stay with us another year on wages. A. has behaved herself
remarkably well . . . We feel a deep interest in her welfare, and shall do all we
can to assist her. . . . W.M. [pp. 51-52]
Page 31 contains a table showing twenty-five different occupations in which the children
were apprenticed in 1849, from farming (88 white boys, 19 black boys) and housewifery
(38 white girls, 6 black girls) to such esoterica as mining, chair making, candle making,
and "hair dresser" (one white boy).
$25
49
Partly-printed Indenture accomplished in manuscript
Ledyard, Cayuga County, New York
August 5, 1852
Housekeeping
Very good but for some medium staining.
"Sarah Watters a poor person, of said Poor House, eight years old the 15th day of
September last" is here put as "an apprentice to David Greene" until her eighteenth
birthday, "according to the statute in that case made and provided . . ." Signed by three
Superintendents of the Poor House of Cayuga County, by Mr. Greene and a witness.
The terms seem rather less antiquated than usual indentures . . .
". . . the said Apprentice her said master faithfully shall serve in all lawful business
according to her wit and ability, and shall honestly, orderly and obediently in all things
demean and behave her self towards her said Master . . ." (no mention of fornication or
ale-houses). Besides learning to be a good housekeeper, Sarah will come away from the
experience with a rudimentary education, "two good suits of Clothes, one of which to be
new, and one new Bible."
$65
50
Newspaper
Boston
January 10, 1852
Medium wear.
NEW ENGLAND FARMER. An Independent Journal, devoted to Agriculture and General
Intelligence (Boston) for Saturday, January 10, 1852 [VII:2].
A. "SHOCKING ACCIDENT" (page 3, column 1): Three apprentices suffered burns to face
and eyes when pouring molten lead into the lining box of a large shaft which exploded
due to the coldness of the box. "They were instantly thrown into most extreme tortures
49
. . . It was thought Tuesday, that Daly would not entirely lose his sight." Details are
worse.
B. "The Benefit of Apprenticeship" (page 4, column 3):
There is an important feature in the regulations of a master-mechanic, which is
frightful to some kind parent's heart; and that is the five to seven years'
apprenticeship the boy who learns a trade must submit to. But it is an excellent
discipline. It takes the lad at a critical period of life—when he has a disposition
perhaps averse to steady employment—when he is inclined to roam at large,
amid the contaminating influences about him—and puts him to a steady round
of duties—severe, at first, but soon becoming, from habit, agreeable; and, when
his minority expires, his steady habits and industry are established, and he
comes forth a man, the master of a trade, of fixed principles, and good habits, a
blessing to himself and the community; or at least this ought to be the result of
an apprenticeship where both master and apprentice mutually discharge their
duty to each other. [plus a second paragraph, as good as the first]
$30
51
Pamphlets
New York
1853, 1855
Sailors
Horizontal crease, some wear.
APPRENTICE SEAMEN: Two pamphlets promoting legislation to require merchant ships
to carry apprentices, in order to increase the number of American seamen on American
vessels.
A. John W. GOIN. . . . AN APPRENTICE SYSTEM FOR THE UNITED STATES
MERCHANT SERVICE. By John W. Goin. [cover title; at head: "PLEASE READ THIS!"]
New-York: J. P. Wright, Printer, 1853.
19 cm. [3]-14 pp. + brown printed wrappers. Horizontal center crease. Some wear to
wrappers, with hole through blank back wrapper. OCLC locates five copies, including
the University of Chicago - but only one in New York, at the New York Historical
Society.
Every merchant is aware how difficult it is to procure good American seamen;
indeed, so scarce are they that the ratio is now but two to every hundred men
employed. Consequently our vessels are manned, as a matter of necessity,
though in direct violation of the law, by foreigners from all parts of the world,
full of foreign prejudices, ignorant and vicious. Competent officers can scarcely
be got at any price, and as for the second, third and fourth officers, they are, for
the most part, but little or no better than the men. [p. (3)]
50
B. [John W. GOIN] APPRENTICES FOR THE MERCHANT SERVICE [caption title]. At
end of final page: "JOHN W. GOIN, 39 Burling Slip. New-York, November, 1855."
19 cm. 36 pp. Disbound; horizontal center crease. Goin explains that the gold rush has
depleted the supply of sailors, who sail to the West and stay there. Captains are
required to pick up non-American hands in the Pacific and employ them, until now,
only one sailor in fifty on an American vessel is an American. This is also a threat to the
Navy, which recruits many of its sailors from the merchant marine.
OCLC locates four copies, with an extended title apparently coming from a printed
wrapper that is not present here. This second tract reprints the first (above), along with
long lists of endorsement from various segments of society. Lengthy text of legislation
before Congress provides for the particulars. These pamphlets are examples, not
originally of seeking to improve the lot of apprentices, so much as to improve the
quality of American sailors by recruiting young American men. However, the ultimate
aim is viewed as a moral one. and terms are stated to ensure for the education of the
boys, and to protect them from neglect. If the runaway, the captains are authorized to
recapture them. Discipline must be restricted to whatever is permissible punishment by
a parent on a child. Both pamphlets include the following paragraph:
When morality enters the forecastle, and drunkenness and licentiousness are
banished from the ship, then, and not till then, will the hardy sons of toil,
forsaking the plough and the anvil, turn their footsteps to the sea, and on its
broad and heaving bosom seek that wealth and distinction with which it always
crowns the efforts of the deserving. [p. 4 (1853; p. 6 (1855)]
the two pamphlets: $75
52
Partly-printed Letter broadsheet, accomplished in manuscript
At head: "House of Refuge, New-York, _______ 185_ The Managers of the Society for
the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, To . . ." New York City: House of Refuge,
Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, November 30, 1854.
occupation not specified
Very good; horizontal folds.
APPRENTICING A JUVENILE DELINQUENT IN NEW YORK CITY. Admirably-written form
communication, here filled out to Mr. Lewis F. Randolph, consenting "to bind Patrick
Moran one of the children under our care in the House of Refuge, to you, as an
apprentice, pursuant to powers given to us by an Act of the Legislature of this State."
New York, November 30, 1854.
25 X 20 cm. 2 pp. on one leaf. Signed at the bottom by Superintendent John W.
Ketcham. The verso prints the names of the many "Officers of the Society," including
twenty-two managers. The House of Refuge has ten officers, including a physician, a
chaplain, teachers, and a female matron with two assistants.
51
See item 48 for background. NOT ON OCLC, which shows numerous other publications
and annual reports of this benevolent society. The New York Historical Society owns a
single-located example of a similar item of two leaves printed for the 1860s, to be
directed to previously-delinquent tenants of the House of Refuge ("You are about the
leave the House of Refuge. You will be bound as an apprentice to a person who, the
managers believe, will provide for you, instruct you, and, if you behave well, treat you
with kindness . . ." –OCLC). The text of the present 1850s letter to future masters of
these apprentices is particularly sensitive and poignant, reading in part as follows . . .
It has not been concealed from you, and ought not to be forgotten, that this
child has been a delinquent. We beg, therefore, to remind you that his conduct
may require more attention than might be thought necessary to one who had
never been led from the paths of virtue. Should your kindness and care redeem
this child, and make him religious, moral, and industrious, you will participate
with us in those feelings which must result from the reflection that we may have
contributed to the temporal and eternal happiness of a fellow-being.
The text discourages corporeal punishment, urges solicitous attention, and hopes that
the master and the apprentice will write from time to time to say how things are going.
"Great pains are taken," explains the text early on, "to impress on the children committed
to the House of Refuge, a love of truth, to give them religious instruction, habits of order
and industry, and to teach them to be respectful and obedient. We have found from
experience, that this may be done by a steady and firm conduct, not incompatible with
great kindness." "The two rules of the House," explains a footnote in tiny type, "are–1st.
Never to tell a lie:—and 2nd. Always do as well as they know how."
$125
53
Newspaper-format magazine
New York
March 18, 1854
Browned and with medium wear.
NEW YORK PEOPLE'S ORGAN[.] A Family Companion. Virtuous and Happy Homes,
the Nurseries of a Great and Prosperous People. [running title across tops of pages: The
People's Organ: A Family Companion]. New-York, Saturday, March 18, 1854 [XIII:38; at
end of final page: "Published every Saturday, by Hoover & Co. . . ." with ads for "NewYork Organ Publications."]
Newspaper-format weekly family magazine of eight pages. On the back page, an
anonymous story of more than a column (14 inches of small type) is entitled, "The
Quaker and his Apprentice. Or the beauty of doing good to those who despitefully use
you." It regards a major act of charity toward an irascible Quaker master who drove his
apprentice out, but who later, after succeeding in life, redeemed the Quaker's fortune
and family. However, the preliminary comments of this didactic piece are perhaps the
most interesting and informative for the present collection, including the following . . .
52
It is now twenty years, says the Eastern Journal, since we [i.e., since I] hung up
on a peg in the old New-Hampshire Statesman office, at Connecticut, N. H., a
little brown jacket and blue cap, and commenced "learning the [type] cases." We
remember that cap and jacket well. It was the best cap we had then ever owned,
and we remember that its visor had a green lining, which we fancied might be a
great benefit to the eyes—and we remember how our mother sat up for several
nights, after the other members of the family were abed, to get that little brown
suit ready by the day appointed for her boy to leave home and enter upon his
seven years' apprenticeship. Well, we were a little fellow then, (we are not very
large now,) but we were so short then that we had to endure the laughing of the
big boys at our necessity of mounting a chair to get at our work. . . .
$25
54
Manuscript Letter
Boston
October 9, 1855
farm labor and miscellaneous chores
Very good; some soil or discolor along outer fold lines.
SLIGHTED BY A DECEASED EMPLOYER'S ESTATE: Two pages on one leaf of blue writing
paper from Charles W. C. SENTER to "Mr. Thayer" regarding charges levied against
Senter by the estate of Charles M. Fogg for lodging while Senter did haying, house, and
cartage work for Fogg in 1850-51. Senter reminds Thayer in detail about how they
worked together in the fields at length, which is why he has had Thayer called to testify
on Senter's behalf at a Probate court hearing to be held in Roxbury on October 13. While
this letter does not state a formal apprenticeship situation, the terms seem to have been
similar to apprenticeship . . .
. . . they have brough [sic] in a large bill for my board; when I was there I
supposed that I was geting my board, for my work, my clothes were charged to
me and I have no objection to it, but ^to^ work for them almost two years and
not be thanked for it, is a different thing. Another thing, you have worked for
them occationally, for a number of years, and I suppose remember of seeing
other boys there at work, and have worked with them in the field; you can
compare there work with the work that I did. I do not think that they ^were^
worth much more than myself; but it appears that Mr Fogg valued there work
more then he did mine, for he gave them their board, their clothes, and sent them
to school; and all this, for their services; yet, he kept me at work, and did not so
much as give me my board for it.
Reading between the lines, I might infer that in fact Mr. Fogg, being deceased, may have
intended otherwise, but Mrs. Fogg, now executrix, did not understand the arrangement
or full particulars, and has allowed her accountant to charge young Senter for his board.
$35
53
55
Manuscript Letter
Bernardston, Massachusetts
November 14, 1856
occupation not specified
Some creasing and rumpling, but with little other wear; the paper strong.
YOUNG JAMES W. HALE WRITES a semi-literate letter to a prospective employer.
Whether this situation regarded a formal apprenticeship prospect, or merely
employment away from home, the season and the apparent length of time intended
make this a likely enough - and interesting - addition to the collection. The letter reads
in its entirety as follows:
Nov 14 1856
Dear sir I supose that I must let you know wheather I can
come to work for you or not Father thinks that I had better
stay at home and go to school he thinks that I hant been to
school enougk [sic] for a few years back
I am sorry to disapoint you but it cant be helped
that I shall stay at home all but in haying
I dont know of eny news to tell you so I must close
I think
From James w hale
Bernardston
Mass
RECRUITED early during the Civil War, James W. HALE served in the 21st Massachusetts
regiment and died of a fever in New Berne, North Carolina on April 12, 1862. See Lucy
Cutler Kellogg, History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts . . .
(Greenfield, Massachusetts: Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1902), 93.
$60
56
Manuscript Letter
Lake Ridge, Thompson County, New York
June 7, 1857
Farming
Very good
SON OF A NEW YORK CITY PERFORMER, APPRENTICING IN RURAL NEW YORK. Chatty
letter from a A. Leslie, a young man writing to his sister and brother while he does
farming work for "Mr. Todd" near Ithaca, New York. Their father is mentioned affably a
few times, including his concert, of which the writer has seen a program. It would
appear that the family members have arranged for the young man's present situation to
continue as a formal apprenticeship. He writes:
. . . you speak of my being bound but you do not tell how long or any thing
about it how do you expect a fellow to be contented when you only show him
the dark side of the picture you tell me that I am bound out to Mr Todd but you
54
do not tell me how long nor what I am to receive all I know about it is that I am
bound till I am 18 years old you say it is much better for me to stay in the
country than to come away to New York but I do not know as I would get any
hurt by living in New York but now I am bound out I suppose I might as well
make up my mind to be contented but I will soon be 18 and then I will go where
I am a mind to
This letter is actually quite cordial, and the writer encourages his family to come and
visit. He gives directions about changing trains at Owego, and he can come with a horse
and wagon to meet them at the local terminal within a couple miles of Mr. Todd's.
$45
57
Manuscript Letter
Shabbona, De Kalb County, Illinois
October13, 18[5?]7
Farming
Two small holes with minor textual loss; medium staining.
Letter from M[arvin]. V. and Jane ALLEN to "Dear Brother & Sister" in the East (cover
not present). The third digit of the year date looks more like a 3 than a 5, but the paper
and mailing format suggest the latter date of 1857. Regarding M.V. Allen, see Henry L.
Boies, History of De Kalb County, Illinois (Chicago, O. P. Bassett, Printers, 1922), extracts
found online at http://history.rays-place.com/il/dek-shabbona.htm.
General news and bragging about how well they are doing with their farm and produce.
The final paragraph includes this sentence: "I guess I never told you, that we had taken
a Boy 16yrs old to keep until he is 21, am to give him his b[oard]d & cloths & $300 in
money if he is a good Boy, and I guess he will be"
$25
58
Printed Broadside
Boston
October 16, 1865
Very good. Once folded; moderate stains on the blank verso.
At head: "Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. BOSTON, OCTOBER 16,
1865."
EDUCATION OF APPRENTICES. NOT ON OCLC, which records many other publications
by this very active and longstanding organization. Announcing that a limited number
of apprentices or sons of members of this association may receive free schooling at Mr. A.
D. Bill's Commercial College on Tremont Street five nights a week (or during the day, if
working at nights) from Nov. 1 until March 1, 1866, after presenting a signed certificate
showing that he is an apprentice or son of the member. A blank form of the required
certificate fills the lower quarter of this page.
55
Employers or parents who sign a Certificate, are earnestly desired to take
interest enough in the apprentice to see that he does not neglect or misimprove
this opportunity to add to his stock of knowledge. If a pupil enters the School
and only attends three or four evenings, he costs the Association nearly as much
as if he attended the whole term. Therefore please be careful, that no one
receives a Certificate who does not design to make a legitimate use of the
privilege so generously granted. [final paragraph]
Signed in type by Albert J. Wright and four other men, "Committee on School."
59
$65
Printed Legislative Bill for debate in state senate
[Jackson?], Mississippi
1865?
Some separations starting at internal folds, with some staining, but no actual loss of text.
"moderate corporeal chastisement . . ." PRELIMINARY PRINTED LEGISLATIVE TEXT with each
line numbered (for debate or passage in the Mississippi state legislature) for part of the
infamous BLACK CODE OF MISSISSIPPI passed November 25, 1865, essentially retaining
as many elements of slavery as possible. For background, see
http://mshistory.k12.ms.us/index.php?id=204 and
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401804787.html
[caption title] Senate bill--- No. 4. A BILL to be entitled An Act to regulate the relation of
Master and Apprentice as relates to Freedmen, Free Negroes and Mulattoes.
31½ cm. 2⅓ pp. on two conjugate leaves; back page blank. Text is double-spaced, with
each line numbered.
NOT ON OCLC. Presumably very rare, if not unique or unrecorded. [pd. $275 in 2003]
$400
THE BLACK CODES sought essentially to preserve slavery, replacing the term "slave" with
"freedman" or "apprentice." This act on apprentices is well documented in its final form,
and is discussed in leading college courses to the present day. The text of this
presumably early debate version differs somewhat from what was actually passed, and
in fact, the Black Codes were not allowed to stand. Section 4 of the bill's printed text
offered here begins as follows:
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That if any apprentice shall leave the employment
of his or her master or mistress, without his or her consent, said master or
mistress may pursue and recapture said apprentice and bring him or her before
any justice of the peace of the county, whose duty it shall be to remand said
apprentice to the service of his or her master or mistress, and in the event of a
refusal on the part of said apprentice so to return, then said justice shall commit
said apprentice to the jail of said county . . . [pp. 1-2]
Black minors who are orphans or whose families are too poor to support them will be
apprenticed out by the Probate court "to some competent and suitable person . . .
56
Provided, that that former owner of said minors shall have the preference," if suitable.
In Section 2, it is proposed that these suitable owners "shall have power to inflict such
moderate corporeal chastisement as a father or guardian is allowed to inflict on his or
her child or ward at common law, Provided, that in no case shall cruel or inhuman
punishment be inflicted." (p. 1)
60
Photograph
Church Gresley (near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, England)
1860s?
Blacksmiths
Fine.
Occupational carte-de-visite PHOTOGRAPH of
two young apparent blacksmiths. They wear
long bib aprons which reach nearly to the floor,
and hold various tools including a sledge
hammer. For this occasion, they wear sporty caps
and neckties. The younger lad appears to be in
his early teens, and the elder in his late teens.
Their respective attire and demeanor, and
particular the tools held, would suggest
incremental achievement, and the younger boy,
at least, would likely be an apprentice.
Choice and unfaded, on an attractive lavender
card mount with maroon border. Photographer's
cartouche on verso: "From the Photographic
Studio of G. & J. Sankey, Church Gresley, Burton
on Trent. Negatives Kept, Copies may be had or
enlarged, and Painted in Oil or Water Colour."
[paid $68 in 1998]
$85
61
Manuscript Indenture
Talladaga County, Alabama
January 10, 1866
"housework farming &c."
Very good; toning along the horizontal folds.
"With kindness and humanity . . ." LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR,
HENRY N. WILSON, "A COLORED BOY ABOUT THIRTEEN YEARS OF AGE" is assigned "to
dwell as an apprentice" to Mrs. Lucy Wilson to learn "the occupation of housework
farming &c." until he reaches the age of twenty-one. The agreement is signed by Probate
Judge William H. Thornton and by Mrs. Wilson (no witnesses) and recorded the next
day by Thornton "in Record of Deeds, Book 'M,' page 710" (docket panel on verso).
57
In exchange "for the use of said Henry," who has been proven to the judge to be an
orphan, Mrs. Wilson "will furnish a sufficiency of good and wholesome provisions,
furnish all necessary clothing washing and Loageing [sic], treat him with kindness and
humanity . . . have him taught to read write and cypher so far a the Rule of Three, and at
expiration of his term of apprenticeship furnish him with two complete new su[i]tes of
clothing."
$150
62
Manuscript Agreement
Prattsburg, Steuben County, New York
May 5, 1866
general labor
Medium wear
". . . IN SICKNESS AS IN HEALTH so long as the party of the second part shall reside with
the part of the first part which agreement is to apply to and include the time the party of
the second part has heretofore resided with the party of the first part." Not an
apprenticeship, but drawing upon apprenticeship language in some respects to
formalize a live-in working arrangement whereby Henry CURTIS will do whatever labor
he sees fit for William B. Curtis who will accordingly feed & clothe Henry and take care
of him in sickness or health. The language is quite legalistic, yet curious; no wage or
term is stated, but the arrangement shall continue so long as Henry lives with William.
Signed by both men and by J. F. Curtis as witness.
William B. CURTIS (4 Jan 1806-26 Sep 1889) is buried in the Prattsburg Rural Cemetery
next to his wife Harriet Ann Curtis (14 Dec 1811-7 Apr 1884). The cemetery also houses
one J. Finley Curtis (1845-1926), possibly the witness of the present document.
( http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nysteube/pr/pr9d.html )
$25
63
Partly-printed Indenture accomplished in manuscript
Kingston, New York
March 1, 1872
Carriage Maker
Quite soiled, and separating at folds.
"ten hours each and every day except sundays and legal holidays for three years . . ."
John P. BROWN puts his son of the same name as an apprentice to "Dubois & Walker . . .
to learn the trade of carriage making . . ." He will be paid every three months for a total
of $50 the first year, $150 the second year, and $250 the third year; no other terms.
Signed by the father, by "Dubois & Walker," and by Benjamin G. Walker as witness. The
condition of this document is not good, but its language serves as an interesting example
of somewhat more businesslike apprenticeship as practiced during this latter period.
$40
58
64
Photograph
Hicksville, Ohio
ca. 1880?
Printer
Some abrasions near the center of the image, fortunately affecting only unimportant
background area.
PHOTOGRAPH OF A YOUNG BOY SETTING TYPE. Horizontal cabinet albumen, 10 X 14 cm.
+ mount. Apparently about age eight, the lad holds the stick in his left hand and rests
his right hand on the type box which stands open, with a page of copy affixed. An
exceptional trade image. Verso blank, with no identification. Card mount printed in gold
for "Blodgett's Studio, Columbia Block, Hicksville, O."
Displayed in the album, and a portion illustrated on the first page of this catalog.
65
$75
Book
New York
1881
Binding scuffed with edge wear; first gathering shaken.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CATALOGUE OF THE NEW YORK APPRENTICES' LIBRARY
OF 1874. Being a Consolidated Classified Bulletin of all the additions from March, 1874, to
December, 1881. New York: Russell Brothers, Printers, 1881.
26½ cm. viii, 184 pp. ("Index to Contents" by topic, pp. v-viii) Orig. flexible purple
suede-or-whatever (technical term).
OCLC locates only the copies at the Huntington Library and the University of Rochester.
From Abyssinia to Zulus, with very many subjects in between, including Finance,
Gorilla land, Inventions, Mormons, New York State, Paper, Photography, Skeptical
works, Witchcraft and Women.
[I paid $12.50 years ago] $20
66
Typed Letter Signed
Boston
April 22, 189–
Electrical Engineer
Very good.
On the engraved illustrated letter-head of
The Thomson-Houston Electric Co.
(Boston and many other cities listed), J. R.
Lovejoy of the Engineering Department replies to Mr. C. E. SKINNER in Columbus, Ohio,
who has obviously written to inquire about apprenticeships and subsequent
employment opportunities (pre-printed year-date of the stationery, "189 " not
59
completed for this letter). This fascinating late example, and for a technical modern
trade, provides valuable historical information . . .
Dear Sir; Replying to yours of the 17th would state that quite a number of young men
from universities are in the employ of the T-H Co. as apprentices. During the
time of apprenticeship they receive pay at the rate of 10¢ an hour. We have a
regular prescribed course of training in the several departments which requires
about a year to complete, though in exceptional cases the time is shorter. As to
salary after you have completed your apprenticeship, this depends entirely upon
yourself and the work you do. We are always seeking good men and are willing
to satisfy them in regard to salary when we find them. As we have a great many
applicants I will see that your letter is filed in due order with the proper
authorities and ask them to give you an opportunity should there be any
vacancies. You might correspond with me later in regard to this matter. . . .
$40
67
Manuscript Letter
No place given
No date given, but later nineteenth century.
Machinist
Creased, soiled, and with pencil figuring on the three blank pages.
One page of small writing paper. This is either a petulantly unsigned, unidentified short
communication, or a retained rough draft, reading in its entirety thus:
When I bound my son Jos Rosar with you for five years to learn the
Machinist trade I expected that he would learn the trade with you but you did
not keep him for the full length of his bound time so I would please like to
know how or what is the reason that you ^discharged him^ did not keep him
the full time and let him finish his trade and as you know that he was innocent
of any wrong when he was discharged Please answer by return Mail
$5
68
Photograph
Rhode Island
April 27, 1894
Slight wear but very good;
photographers' mount.
on somewhat worn & moderately stained, printed
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF APPRENTICES. 18 X 23½ cm. on larger, printed mounting card.
Fair-sized albumen photograph of forty-nine well-dressed, contented looking young
men. A space in the front row has been left vacant, perhaps intended for pasting in a
photograph of some missing fiftieth member of the "BROWN & SHARPE APPRENTICE
ASSOCIATION. PHOTOGRAPHED, APRIL 27, 1894, BY Wm. Mills & Son, Studios: 58 and 60
60
Arcade, Providence, R.I. and Olneyville, R.I." (printed caption on mount, below the image).
Verso blank. A good group portrait with all the faces quite clear. Nice sepia tone.
detail from the photograph of forty-nine apprentices
$35
61
69
Partly-printed Indenture accomplished in manuscript
town of Indiana, Pennsylvania
1895
Founder or Moulder
Nearly fine.
A late example, mimeographed and with modernized terms but retaining some of the
old language of such agreements. No day or month is given , but this two-page legalsize form (purple mimeograph) has been signed at the bottom for Sutton Bros. & Bell of
West Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and by apprentice William R. Crisman and
his father Henry J. Crisman. William is to serve for three years, learning the "art, trade
and mystery of a Founder or Moulder, and will be paid $4.50 per week the first year,
$5.00 per week the second year, and $5.50 the third year unless he stops working or the
factory closes. The old language about gambling and fornication is no longer used, but
". . . the said apprentice his said masters faithfully shall and will serve, and that honestly
and obediently in all things as a dutiful [sic] outght to do."
$40
70
Book
New York
1910
First few pages opened carelessly (without actual loss, but should be repaired); in other
respects, generally very good; small modern sticker on title page.
COLLECTIONS OF THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1909.
New York: Printed for the Society, 1919 (The John Watts de Peyster Publication Fund
Series, 42.)
24 cm. [7]ff.; 212 pp. (index, pp. [201]-212). Orig. dark green morocco-grained cloth;
gilt-decorated spine.
"INDENTURES OF APPRENTICES, 1718-1727," pp. [111]-199.
These are the
transcribed texts or summaries of registered contents, with some analysis, of more than
200 apprentice indentures in a wide variety of trades. High informative data from an
early American urban setting. ". . . the volume . . . came into the possession of the
Society in 1905, and is an interesting addition to the Indentures of Apprenticeship 16941708, published in the 'Collections' for 1885." (Preface).
[I paid $27]
$25
71
Photograph
Poultney, Vermont
1984
Printer
Yellowing slightly
62
8 X 10" Color photograph taken 1984 by Rick Grunder of the house on Poultney Square,
East Poultney, Vermont, in which young Horace GREELEY apprenticed to the printing
trade in the late 1820s. With good copy of text and illustration describing the colorful
beginnings, in this house, of one of America's most famous newspapermen, taken from
an 1855 biography.
Displayed in the album.
$10