Description:

Indentured Servitude
Jacksonville, IL, February 20, 1857
African-American Boy Becomes Indentured Servant of Illinois Methodist Minister and Merchant
MDS

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

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 son Lewis Rose, age 7, to Benjamin and Martha Bristow until he reached the age of 21, in February 1871.

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 their children disappeared from the historical record.

Complete Transcript
"This Indenture made and entered into this Twentieth day of February A.D. 1857 by and between Lewis Rose a coloured minor of the age of seven years on the 15th February A.D 1857 by her own free will and accord and by and with the consent of his 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 Ellen Bristow his wife of the same County and State of the other part

Witnesseth
That the said Lewis hath placed and bound himself apprentice to the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha Ellen Bristow his wife to learn the order and business of A house Servant and domestic economy, and to dwell with and serve them or the survivor of them, until the said Lewis shall have attained the age of twenty one years to wit until the 15th day of February Eighteen hundred and Seventy one. And the said Lewis on his 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 he will do no hurt or damage to his said master and 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 his said master and mistress that he will not embezzle or waste the goods of his said master and mistress nor lend them to others without his or her consent to any person or persons whomsoever that he will not contract matrimony during said term nor by day or night absent himself from the service of his said master and Mistress without leave but will in all things demean and behave herself as a good and faithful apprentice to his said master and mistress during the said term.

And in consideration of the aforesaid service and of the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha Ellen Bristow his wife they hereby agree and bind themselves to instruct the said Lewis in the [art] of a house servant and also to find and allow unto him meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel both linen and wollen, and all other things necessary in sickness and health meet and convenient for such an apprentice during the said term.

And the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha Ellen Bristow do hereby covenant and agree to furnish to the said Lewis an education or to instruct the said Lewis among 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 Lewis or the survivor of them will give and furnish unto the said Lewis a Bible and two new suits of clothes suitable to his condition in life and also one hundred dollars in money.

In witness whereof the said Lewis and his said mother and the said Benjamin Bristow and Martha Ellen Bristow have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written
his
Lewis X Rose {seal}
mark
her
Betsey X Rose {seal}
mark
B. F. Bristow {seal}
M E Bristow {seal}

Attest
M Clampit
W B Warren
Jno H 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.

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

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