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Lot 239
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Probate Court Binds Twelve-Year-Old Girl to Jacksonville Doctor as an Indentured Servant
Probate Court Binds Twelve-Year-Old Girl to Jacksonville Doctor as an Indentured Servant
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Description:

Indentured Servitude
Jacksonville, IL, December 7, 1840
Probate Court Binds Twelve-Year-Old Girl to Jacksonville Doctor as an Indentured Servant
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, the Morgan County Probate Court bound Isabella alias Kitt, age 12, to Dr. Owen M. Long until she reached the age of 18, in January 1847.

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.

[INDENTURED SERVITUDE.] James A. Graves, H. G. Reid, and Owen M. Long, Manuscript Document Signed, Indenture of Isabella, December 7, 1840, Jacksonville, Illinois. 3 pp., 7.5" x 12.25". Expected folds; general toning; soiling on folds.

Complete Transcript
This Indenture made this seventh day of December in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty between James A. Graves and Horatio G. Reid Esquires Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Morgan and State of Illinois, of the first part, and Owen M. Long of said County and State aforesaid, of the second part, Witnesseth, that the said parties of the first part, have placed and bound out, and by virtue of an act of this state, entitled "An act respecting apprentices" do hereby, with the consent of David P. Henderson Esq, judge of the Court of Probate of said County, place and bind out, Isabella alias Kitt a Negro Girl aged about twelve years, who has neither parents or Guardians residing in this state, as a servant to the said party of the second part, to be instructed in the arts and mysteries of housekeeping, to live with and serve him as a servant for the term of six years from the date hereof, that is to say, untill she, the said servant shall arrive to and be of the age of Eighteen years, which the said party of the first part are informed and believe, will be in the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty seven. And the said party of the first part, do, by these presents, give unto the said party of the second part, all the authority, power and right, to and over the said Isabella alias Kitt, and her service during said term, which by the laws of this State a master hath to and over a lawfully indentured apprentice. And the said Party of the second part, in consideration thereof, doth promise covenant and agree to and with the said parties of the first part and each of them, their and each of their successors for the time being, and with the said Isabella alias Kitt each by himself respectively, to teach and instruct the said Isabella alias Kitt as his servant, or otherwise; to cause her to be taught to read and to be well and sufficiently instructed in the art and mystery of house keeping, after the best way and manner he can; and also to train her to habits of obedience, industry and morality and provide for and allow her meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel for summer and winter, and all other necessaries proper for such a servant, during the term of her service as aforesaid, and at the expiration of said term, will give unto the said servant two new suits of Clothes suitable to her condition, also a Bible.
In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first written.
Jas. A. Graves, J.P. {seal}
H. G. Reid J. P. {seal}
Owen M Long {seal}
Signed Sealed and Delivered In presence of
I. Sigler {seal}
Chas. Hardin {seal}

Owen M. Long (1809-1882) was born in Kentucky and became a physician. He lived in Meredosia from 1835 to 1840, when he moved to Jacksonville, where he lived until 1861. In that year, he enlisted in the Union Army and became surgeon of the 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He later served as medical director for General Ulysses S. Grant's corps at Cairo, Illinois, and as director of Overton General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. After the war, he returned to Jacksonville to practice medicine. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him as consul in Panama, a position he held for eleven years. He later lived in Washington, D.C., and Kansas City, Missouri. He died in St. Louis, Missouri. He married Elizabeth F. Boss (1824-1899), with whom he had at least six children.

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: 7.5" x 12.25"
  • Medium: MDS

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