They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Orphan Bond: Paul Russell to T.V. Dasher (1866)

Names of Orphan and Parents: Paul Russell, son of “Shederic” [alt: Shadrach, Shadrick]
Bound to: T.V. Dasher
Date: 1866-05-07

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we T.V. Dasher  principal and John R. Curry security are held and firmly bound and obliged unto the Honorable W.P. Girardeau ordinary for said County and his successors in office in the sum of five 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 7th day of May 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 Court as aforesaid has this day bound unto the said T.V. Dasher  a poor coloured orphan of said County by the name of Paul Russell (son of Shederic [alt: Shedric, Shadrach, Shadrack] formerly the property of Jos. McGowen) of the age of 14 years for seven (7) years, or untill he shall arrive at the age of twenty one. Now if the said T.V. Dasher shall treat use and deal with the said apprentice according to an act of the legislature  in such cases, then the above obligation to be void; else to remain in full force and virtue. “

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 T.V. Dasher 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 T.V. Dasher Paul Russell, a poor coloured orphan, son of Shedric, formerly the property of Jos. McGowen deceased, & Rose formerly the property of A.J. Baggs, all of said County, deceased, to learn the art or mistery of agriculture, and after the manner of an apprentice to serve him from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of seven years, all which time, his said master, he shall faithfully obey, he shall do no damage to his said master, nor see it done by others, without giving him notice thereof; he shall not contract matrimony within the said term, he shall not absent himself, by day or by night, from his said master’s service without his leave but in all things behave himself as a faithful apprentice ought to do during the said term; and the said master shall use the utmost of his Endeavours to teach and instruct the said apprentice, in the art or mistery of an agriculturist, and provide for him the said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, apparel and lodging, and all other things fitting for an apprentice, during the said time, and the said master is to give the said apprentice, 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 7th day of May 1866. 

[Signed] 
Paul Russel [by mark]
T.V. Dasher
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

In presence of Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C.

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

Sources: 

Colored Orphan Bonds 1866-1873, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia. Digitized: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-3SZL-F, Film #008628956, Image #15.

Indentures of apprenticeships 1866-1884, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia page 12; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-G3YG-BKNG : accessed 15 July 2022),  Family History Library Film 009054062, Images 14 of 31.