Description:

Binding Poor Children as Indentured Servants 1733-1829 9 DS 13pp

With these indentures, the selectmen of Durham, Connecticut, whose responsibility included care for the poor, bound out seven teenage boys and girls to various masters as indentured servants. In return, the masters agreed to feed, house, and clothe the apprentices, send them to school for certain specified periods, and take them to public worship until the apprentices reached certain ages, ranging from sixteen to twenty-one years of age.

In two other cases, a parent bound out a son to learn a trade. In 1733, George Squire bound his son Josiah Squire to a local cooper for eight months each year for four years "to learn the trade or art of a Cooper." In 1824, Malinda Kelsey bound her sixteen-year-old son to a local shoemaker for more than four years to learn the "art, trade and mystery" of shoemaking.

This grouping also includes a written confession, signed by Robert Coe, of his sin of "Excessive Drinking" and desire to be readmitted to the church in Durham, Connecticut.

[INDENTURED SERVITUDE.] Selectmen of Durham, Connecticut, Set of 9 Indentures of Various Persons, 1733-1829; Confession of Robert Coe, 1732. 13 pp.

Contents and Excerpts
- Indenture of Josiah Squire to Samuel Roberts "to learn the trade or art of a Cooper" (until mid-January 1737), Manuscript Document Signed, January 12, 1733, 1 p., 7.5" x 12.5". General toning; wax seals partially present; very good.

- Indenture of Betsey Maria Lucas to Jerusha Hull (until January 4, 1832), Manuscript Document Signed, July 21, 1818, 1 p., 8" x 12.75". Very good.

- Indenture of Eunice Shelden to Job Merwin (until May 5, 1822), Manuscript Document Signed, February 6, 1819, 1 p., 8" x 12.5". Small tear on one fold; some staining on other folds; very good.

- Indenture of Joseph Crowel Jr. to Isaac Parmelee "to be taught the Occupation of Farming" (until September 5, 1828), Manuscript Document Signed, June 8, 1819, 1 p., 7.75" x 12.5". Very good.
"the Said Isaac Parmelee on his part in consideration thereof doth promise covenant and agree to and with the said Town of Durham and with said poor boy each by himself and itself respectively to train him to habits of Obedience Subordination industry Religion and Morality and cause him regularly to attend Public Worship and send him to School at Least Ten weeks in each year and Provide for and allow to him Meat Drink Lodging and Apparel for Sumer and Winter on Common and on holy days and all other Necessaries in Sickness and in health proper for such a boy during the term of his Service."- Indenture of Polly Seward to Esther Parmelee (until March 15, 1831), Manuscript Document Signed, May 22, 1820, 2 pp., 7.75" x 12.5". Some staining at corners; one hole at the intersection of folds, affecting one word; wax and paper seals present and intact.

- Indenture of Horace Camp to Elias Camp (until July 15, 1828), Manuscript Document Signed, December 4, 1820, 2 pp., 7.5" x 12.5". Some tears on folds; wax and paper seals present and intact; very good.

- Indenture of Darius Kelsey to Seth Tibbals "to learn the art, trade and mystery of Shoe making" (until March 13, 1829), Partially Printed Document Signed, November 22, 1824, 1 p., 8" x 12.75". Some toning; wax and paper seals present and intact; very good.

- Indenture of Harvey Seward to David Tibbals (until April 1, 1833), Manuscript Document Signed, March 27, 1826, 2 pp., 7.75" x 12.5". Some toning; very good.

- Indenture of Joseph Crowell to Augustus Howd (until September 5, 1832), Manuscript Document Signed, October 5, 1829, 1 p., 7.75" x 9.5". General toning; very good.
"And the said Augustus Howd doth covenant and promise to instruct the said apprentice in the trade of Shoe making & provide for said Apprentice food Lodging Medicine & care in sickness & Clothes suitable for labour & for the Sabbath and on the 5th day of Sept 1832 to furnish said Apprentice with two suits of Clothes one suitable for Labour & one for the Sabbath & a Set of Shoe making Tools & a new Bible."

- Also includes Confession of Robert Coe, Manuscript Document Signed, January 12, 1732, Durham, Connecticut, 1 p., 7.75" x 12.5". Some staining, affecting several lines; remains generally legible.
"I Know not how or where to begin. If ever man had reason to be Ashamd before God or man I have. And how much reason to fear my submissions will not be regarded. However it becomes me that I behave myself humbly & submissively whatever be the Event.... Once twice and Again have I avowed my sin of Excessive Drinking.... desiring & requesting I might not be laid under a Censure, but be allowed to make a publick Confession again before the Congregation...."
Robert Coe (1684-1762) was born in Fairfield, Connecticut. He married Barbara Parmelee in 1708 in Middletown, Connecticut. He died in Durham, Connecticut. He also served as an ensign in the Connecticut militia.

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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