Description:

Indentured Servitude
Jacksonville, IL, February 20, 1857
A "coloured minor" Becomes Indentured Servant of Illinois Methodist Minister and Merchant
MDS

In antebellum Illinois, indentured servitude existed as a form of debt bondage, in which individuals were bound for specific periods to repay a debt. Orphaned minors were also often bound to families until they reached the age of adulthood, 21 for males and 18 for females.

In June 1827, the Illinois General Assembly passed "An Act Concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians" that allowed orphans over the age of 14 to select their own guardians and empowered probate courts to appoint guardians for those under the age of 14. In this case, Betsy Rose bound her daughter Elizabeth Rose, age 5, to Benjamin and Martha Bristow until she reached the age of 18, in February 1870.

In 1841, the Illinois Supreme Court decided in the case of Bailey v. Cromwell that all individuals in Illinois were presumed to be free, regardless of color. It effectively ended indentured servitude in the state for African-American adults. Attorney Abraham Lincoln represented the man who received the African-American woman and her children involved in the case as servants.

On February 20, 1857, Betsy Rose, a free African-American woman, signed indentures for her four children—eleven-year-old Aaron, nine-year-old Mary, seven-year-old Lewis, and five-year-old Elizabeth—to place them with three Jacksonville families, those of a minister, an attorney, and a lumber merchant. Both mother and most of her children disappeared from the historical record.

In 1870, the Bristow household in Ghent, Kentucky, included a fifteen-year-old black girl named Elizabeth Bristow, who was listed as a "Home Girl," born in Mississippi. In the 1880 census, Elizabeth Bristow is listed as a "domestic servant" and her birthplace is listed as Illinois. The Elizabeth Bristow listed in the 1870 and 1880 censuses is probably the Elizabeth Rose of this indenture. In 1900, she worked as a cook in Covington, Kentucky, and lived with her daughter and son-in-law. She may also be the same Elizabeth Bristow (1852-1942) buried in Linden Grove Cemetery in Covington, Kentucky, where Benjamin F. Bristow and Martha E. Bristow are buried.

[INDENTURED SERVITUDE]. Elizabeth Rose, Betsy Rose, Benjamin F. Bristow, and Martha E. Bristow, Manuscript Document Signed, Indenture of Elizabeth Rose, February 20, 1857, Jacksonville, Illinois. 2 pp., 8" x 12.75". Expected folds; light soiling on folds; very good.

Complete Transcript
This Indenture Made and Entered into this Twentieth day of February A.D. 1857 by and between Elizabeth Rose a coloured minor of the age of five years on the 15th day of this Inst February A.D 1857 of her own free will and accord and by and with the consent of her mother Betsy Rose a woman of colour and only surviving parent of the County of Morgan and State of Illinois, of the one part and Benjamin Bristow and Martha E Bristow his wife of the same County and State of the other part Witnesseth
That the said Elizabeth hath placed and bound herself apprentice to the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha E his wife to learn the order and business of house keeping and domestic economy, and to dwell with and serve them or the Survivor of them, until the said Elizabeth shall have attained the age of Eighteen years to wit until the fifteenth day of February A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy. And the said Elizabeth on her part hereby agrees that during said term of service, she will well and truly and faithfully serve the said Benjamin Bristow and wife or the survivor of them keep their secrets, and obey their lawful commands that she will do no hurt or damage to her said Master or Mistress in their goods Estate or otherwise nor willingly suffer any to be done by others, and wether prevented or not shall forthwith give notice thereof to her said Master or Mistress that she will not embezzle or waste the goods of her said Master and Mistress, nor lend them to others without his or her consent to any person or persons whomsoever; that she will not contract matrimony during said term, nor by day or night absent herself from the service of her said Master and Mistress without leave but will in all things demean and behave herself as a good and faithful apprentice to her master and mistress during the said term.
And in consideration of the Service aforesaid, and of the Sum of One dollar to them in hand paid, the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha E Bristow they hereby agree and bind themselves to instruct the said Elizabeth in the art of good house-keeping, cooking and plain sewing, and also to find and allow unto her meat, drink, washing, lodging, and apparel both linen and wollen, and all other things necessary in sickness and in health, meet and convenient for such an apprentice during the said term.
And the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha E. Bristow do hereby covenant and agree to furnish to the said Elizabeth an education or to instruct the said Elizabeth amongst other things so that she may be able to read, and write and they further agree that at the expiration of said term of service of said Elizabeth or the survivor of them will give and furnish unto the said Elizabeth a new Bible and two new suits of clothes suitable to her condition in life and also the sum of One hundred dollars in Money.
In witness whereof the said Elizabeth and her said mother and the said Benjamin Bristow and have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written
her
Elizabeth X Rose {seal}
mark
her
Betsey X Rose {seal}
mark
B. F. Bristow {seal}
M E Bristow {seal}

Attest
M Clampit
W B Warren
Moses Dickson

Benjamin Franklin Bristow (1815-1888) was born in Kentucky. In 1835, he married Martha Ellen Lucas (1814-1896) of South Carolina in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. They had nine children between 1836 and 1862. By 1850, they were living in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was a merchant. He also became a Methodist minister. Sometime during the Civil War, he returned to Kentucky and settled in Carroll County. He later moved to Covington, where he died in 1888.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

  • Dimensions: 8" x 12.75"
  • Medium: MDS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000