Orphan Bond: Cornelius, Washington, Jane, Ann, Hetty to Sheldon M. Chapman (1866)

Bond

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we Shedon [SIC] M. Chapman & F. Sulivan [SIC]  are held and firmly bound unto the Honorable W.P. Girardeau ordinary for said County and his successors in office in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars for which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated at Hinesville, this 5th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six (1866).” 

“The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the Ordinary as aforesaid has this day bound unto the said Sheldon M. Chapman three poor coloured minor orphans of said County, children of Washington (formerly owned by said Sheldon M.) and Jane Spencer a coloured woman late of said county deceased, To wit, Cornelius, a boy fifteen (15) years old, for six years, Washington a boy eleven (11) years old for ten years; Jane a girl seven (7) years old for eleven years *** or untill they shall respectively arrive at full age. Now if the said Sheldon M. Chapman  shall treat, use and deal with the said apprentice, according to an act of the legislature, in such case, made and provided then the above obligation to be void; else to remain in full force and virtue. “

[***Transcriber’s Note: At this point, the following was written and then crossed out: “Ann a girl five (5) years old for fifteen years, Hetty a girl three (3) years old for fifteen years…” The bond was signed by S.M. Chapman and D.F. Sullivan. Sullivan’s name had been misspelled at the beginning of the bond.] 

Apprenticeship Record

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } This indenture made and entered into by and between the Court of Ordinary of the County aforesaid of the one part and Sheldon M. Chapman, of the same place of the other part, witnesseth that the said Court of Ordinary, hath, this day, by the consent of all parties concerned bound and put as apprentice to the said Sheldon M. Chapman, Cornelius, Washington, Jane poor coloured orphans of said County orphan children of Washington, a coloured man of said County deceased (formerly owned by said Sheldon M.) and Jane Spencer, coloured, of said county formerly the property of Mrs. Mary Chapman – the said Cornelius and Washington to learn the art or mistery of Husbandry; and the said Jane to learn the art, or mistery of House service and Husbandry, and the said Cornelius, Washington, Jane to serve the said Sheldon M. after the manner of apprentices from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of years until they respectively arrive at full age, to wit, Cornelius six years, Washington ten years, Jane eleven years, all of which time, their said master, they shall faithfully obey, they shall do no damage to their said master, nor see it done by others, without giving him notice thereof; they shall not contract matrimony within the said term, they shall not absent themselves, by day or by night, from their said masters service without his leave but in all things behave themselves as faithful apprentices ought to do during the said term; and the said master shall use the utmost of his Endeavours to teach and instruct the said apprentices, in the art of mistery of Husbandry and provide for them the said apprentices sufficient meat, drink, apparel and lodging, and all other things fitting for apprentices, during the said time, and the said master is to give the said apprentices, the schooling and education required by the act of the legislature in such case made and provided. 

In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this November 5th 1866.

Done in open court in presence of Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C. 
Albert Westberry

[signed]
S.M. Chapman
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

Recorded this 31st December 1867
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.”