They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Apprenticed: Seaborne H., James H., Laura, Wiley and Joseph to G.H. Alexander (1868)

Names of Orphan and Parents: Seaborne H., James H. Laura, Wiley and Joseph, children of John P. Rustin, late of Tattnall County deceased Bound to: G.H. Alexander Date: 1868-10-05

Apprenticeship Record

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } This indenture made and entered into by and between W.P. Girardeau, Ordinary of the County aforesaid of the one part and G.H. Alexander, of the same place, witnesseth that the said Ordinary hath this day, under the acts of the Legislature of said State, bound and put as apprentice to the said G.H. Alexander Seaborne H. James H. Laura, Wiley and Joseph, poor minor children of John P. Rustin, late of Tattnall County deceased, and residents of Liberty County, the said Seaborne H. James H. Wiley and Joseph to learn the art or mistery of agriculture, and the said Laura to learn the art or mistery of house-service and seamstress and the said Seaborne H. James H. Wiley and Joseph to serve him the said G.H. Alexander, after the manner of apprentices for the full term of years until they respectively arrive at the age of twenty one to wit Seaborne H. six years, James H. eight years, Wiley twelve years, Joseph fourteen years, and the said Laura to serve him the said G.H. Alexander after the manner of an apprentice for the full term of years until she arrives at the age of eighteen viz ten years. All of which time the said apprentices shall faithfully obey their said master; 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 master’s service, without his leave; but in all things behave themselves 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 apprentices in the said arts or misteries and provide for them the said apprentices 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 the 5th day of October Eighteen hundred and Sixty Eight 1868.

[Signed] G.H. Alexander
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

In presence of
A.B. Daniel
Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C.

Recorded this 27th day of January 1869
J.A. Girardeau
Dept. Clk Ct.O.L.C.

Source: Indentures of apprenticeships 1866-1884, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia page 21-22; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-B3YG-BV3P : accessed 15 July 2022), Family History Library Film 009054062, Images 18-19 of 31.