They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Apprenticed: Sampson Gaulden and Prince Pray to Jackson Williams (1879)

Names of Orphan and Parents: Sampson Gaulden and Prince Pray, sons of Mintie Thompson Bound to: Jackson Williams Date: 1879-12-02

State of Georgia, Liberty County } This Indenture of apprenticeship made and entered into this second day of December Eighteen Hundred and seventy nine A.D. Between Mintie Thompson and Jackson Williams both of said State and County, Witnesseth that the said Mintie Thompson for and in consideration of the obligations made by the said Jackson Williams, and hereinafter set forth, does by these Articles of Apprenticeship, bind out and transfer to the said Jackson Williams two minors, her children, to wit: Sampson Gaulden, aged fourteen years, and Prince Pray, aged about eight years, till they become twenty one years of age. And the said Jackson Williams obligates himself to teach them farming, to furnish them protection, wholesome food, suitable clothing, necessary medicine, and medical attention, and further to teach them habits of Industry, Honesty and Morality; and shall cause them to be taught to read English and shall govern them with Humanity, using only the same degree of force to compel their obedience, as a father may use with his minor child.

In witness whereof the said Mintie Thompson and Jackson Williams do hereto set their hands and seals the day and year above written to this the Duplicate.

[Signed] Mintie Thompson [by mark]
Jackson Williams [by mark]

In presence of
Charles W. Ashmore
J. Sloeman Ashmore C.S.C.L.C.

Recorded Dec 20th 1879
Joseph Ashmore O.L.C.

Source: Indentures of apprenticeships 1866-1884, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia pages 35; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-13YG-BKP8 : accessed 15 July 2022), Family History Library Film 009054062, Images 26 of 31.