BOSTON
D. LOTHROP AND COMPANY
FRANKLIN AND HAWLEY STREETS
Copyright, 1886,
by
D. Lothrop & Company.
This Indenture Wittnesseth, That I Margaret Burjust of Boston,in the County of Suffolk and Province of the Massachusetts Bay inNew England. Have placed, and by these presents do place and bindout my only Daughter whose name is Ann Ginnins to be an Apprenticeunto Samuel Wales and his wife of Braintree in the Countyafores:d, Blacksmith. To them and theirHeirs and with them the s:d Samuel Wales,his wife and their Heirs, after the manner of an apprentice todwell and Serve from the day of the date hereof for and during thefull and Just Term of Sixteen years, three months and twenty-threeday's next ensueing and fully to be Compleat, during all which termthe s:d apprentice hers:d Master and Mistress faithfully ShallServe, Their Secrets keep close, and Lawful and reasonable Commandeverywhere gladly do and perform.
Damage to her s:d Master and Mistressshe shall not willingly do. Her s:dMaster's goods she shall not waste, Embezel, purloin or lend untoOthers nor suffer the same to be wasted or purloined. But to herpower Shall discover the Same to her s:dMaster. Taverns or Ailhouss she Shall not frequent, at any unlawfulgame She Shall not play, Matrimony she Shall not Contract with anypersons during s:d Term. From hermaster's Service She Shall not at any time unlawfully absentherself. But in all things as a good honest and faithful Servantand apprentice Shall bear and behave herself, During the full termafores:d Commencing from the third day ofNovember Anno Dom: One Thousand, Seven Hundred fifty and three. Andthe s:d Master for himself, wife, andHeir's, Doth Covenant Promise Grant and Agree unto and with thes:d apprentice and thes:d Margaret Burjust, in manner and formfollowing. That is to say, That they will teach thes:d apprentice or Cause her to be taughtin the Art of good housewifery, and also to read and write well.And will find and provide for and give untos:d apprentice good and sufficient MeatDrink washing and lodging both in Sickness and in health, and atthe Expiration of S:d term to Dismisss:d apprentice with two Good Suits ofApparrel both of woolen and linnin for all parts of her body (viz)One for Lord-days and one for working days Suitable to her Quality.In Testimony whereof I Samuel Wales and Margaret Burjust HaveInterchangably Sett their hands and Seals this Third day NovemberAnno Dom: 1753, and in the twenty Seventh year of the Reign of ourSoveraig'n Lord George the Second of great Britain the King.
Signed Sealed & Delivered.
In presence of
SamVaughan MargaretBurgis
MaryVaughan herX mark.”
This quaint document was carefully locked up, with some olddeeds and other valuable papers, in his desk, by the“s:d Samuel Wales,” onehundred and thirty years ago. The desk was a rude, unpainted pineaffair, and it reared itself on its four stilt-like legs in acorner of h