Description:

Indentured Servitude
Jacksonville, IL, February 20, 1857
Eleven-Year-Old Boy Becomes Indentured Servant of Illinois Attorney
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 son Aaron Rose, age 11, to William and Priscilla Warren until he reached the age of 21, in February 1867.

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.

This indenture seems to have been written out with blanks for names and for a female indentured servant. The clerk or judge changed many, but not all, of the pronouns to "he," "him," and "himself." 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. Aaron Rose does not appear in the Warren household in Berlin in Sangamon County in 1860.

[INDENTURED SERVITUDE.] Aaron Rose, Betsy Rose, William M. Warren, and Priscilla Warren, Manuscript Document Signed, Indenture of Aaron 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 AD 1857 by and between Aaron Rose A Coloured Minor of the age of Eleven Years on the Tenth day of February 1857 of his 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 said Aaron, of the County of Morgan and state of Illinois of the One part and William M. Warren, and Priscilla Warren his wife of Said County and State of the other part Witnesseth
That the said Aaron hath put placed and bound himself as an apprentice to the Said William M Warren & Priscilla Warren his wife to learn the art business & Mystery of A farmer, and to dwell with and serve them or the Survivor of them, untill the said Aaron shall have attained the age of Twenty One Years to Wit, untill the Tenth (10) day of February AD One thousand Eight hundred and Sixty Seven (1867) And the said Aaron On his part hereby agrees that during said term he will well and faithfully serve the said William M Warren 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 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 his Said Master or Mistress that she will not embezzle or waste the gods of his said Master and Mistress nor lend them 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 depart or absent herself from the service of his said Master and Mistress without leave, but will in all things demean and behave himself as a good and faithful apprentice to his 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 William M Warren and Priscilla his wife hereby agree to teach and and instruct the Said Aaron in the art Mystery and business of a farmer, And Also to find and allow unto the said Aaron meat drink washing, lodging, and apparel both linen and woolen, and all other things necessary in Sickness and in health, meet and convenient for such an apprentice during the said term.
And the said William M Warren and Priscilla his wife further agree to furnish to the said Aron the advantages of Schooling so as to enable the said Aaron to read and write and they further agree that at the expiration of said term of service they or the Survivor of them will give unto the said Aaron A new Bible and two new suits of clothing suitable to his condition in life and One hundred dollars in Money.
In Witness whereof the said Aaron and his mother the said Betsey Rose and the said William M Warren and Priscilla, his wife have hereunto subscribed their names this the 20th day of February AD 1857
his
Aaron X Rose {seal}
mark
her
Betsey X Rose {seal}
mark
W M Warren {seal}
Priscilla Warren {seal}

Attest
M Clampit
Jno H Dickson
B. F. Bristow

William Monroe Warren (1828-1913) was born in Kentucky and moved to Morgan County, Illinois, with his parents in 1832. He graduated from Illinois College in Jacksonville and practiced law. In 1849, he married Priscilla Hitt (1829-1896); they had eleven children, only two of whom survived past young adulthood. In 1868, he moved to neighboring Sangamon County, where he opened a bank in New Berlin, where he also practiced law for twenty years. He continued in the banking business until 1895, when he retired.

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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