Description:

Indentured Servitude
Jacksonville, IL, February 20, 1857
African-American Girl Becomes Indentured Servant of Illinois Lumber Merchant
MDS

[AFRICAN AMERICAN.] Mary Rose, Betsy Rose, John H. Dickson, and Mary H. Dickson, Manuscript Document Signed, Indenture of Mary Rose, February 20, 1857, Jacksonville, Illinois. 2 pp., 8" x 12.75". Expected folds; 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 daughter Mary Rose, age 9, to John and Mary Dickson until she reached the age of 18, in February 1866.

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 AD 1857 by and between Mary Rose a coloured minor of the age of nine years on the first day of this Inst February AD 1857 by 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 John H. Dixon and Mary H. Dixon his wife of the Same County and State of the other part

Witnesseth
That the said Mary hath placed and bound herself apprentice to the said John H. Dixon and Mary H his wife to learn the Order and business of housekeeping and domestic Economy, and to dwell with and serve them, or the Survivor of them untill the said Mary shall have attained the age of Eighteen Years to wit untill the first day of February AD One thousand Eight hundred Sixty six And the said Mary, On her part hereby agrees that during said term of Service, she will well and truly and faithfully serve the said John Dixon 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 embezzel 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 depart or 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 said 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 John H. Dixon and Mary H Dixon hereby agree and and bind themselves to instruct the said Mary 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 John H Dixon and Mary H Dixon hereby Covenant and agree to furnish to the said Mary an Education or to instruct the said Mary 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 Mary or the survivor of them will give and furnish unto the said Mary 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 Mary and her said Mother, and the said John H. Dixon and Mary H Dixon have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written
her
Mary X Rose {seal}
mark
her
Betsey X Rose {seal}
mark
Jno H Dickson {seal}
Mary H Dickson {seal}

Attest
M Clampit
B. F. Bristow
W B Warren"

John H. Dickson (1835-1881) was born in Kentucky but moved to Illinois with his family as a child. In 1850, they lived in Jacksonville, where his father Archimedes C. Dickson (1814-1894) was a lumber merchant. In 1855, he married Mary Harmon Letton (1836-1892). He went into business with his father in the lumber firm of A. C. Dickson and Son, which dissolved by February 1861.

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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