Apprenticed: James Hopkins to John P. Mell (1867)

Bonds

First Document:
“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we John P. Mell principal and Jesse Brewer security are held and firmly bound 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 6th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven (1867). The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the Ordinary as aforesaid has this day bound unto the said John P. Mell, James Hopkins (minor son of Geo. [George] Hopkins) to learn the art of mastery of agriculturist.  Now should the said John P. Mell  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  otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. “

[Transcriber’s Note: Written on this deed was: “Cancelled this December term Dec 2d 1867. W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.”]

Second Document: 
“State of Georgia, Liberty County } To the Honorable W.P. Girardeau, Ordinary of said county. Your petitioner John P. Mell of said county respectfully showeth that there are certain poor minors in said County that come under the acts of the State legislature and are fit subjects to be apprenticed to some master who will raise them up properly and learn them some useful occupation to wit William, James, and Martha Ellen, minor children of George Hopkins, and Nancy Hopkins. Said George Hopkins has gone to parts unknown, and the said Nancy Hopkins with whom the said  minor children live is an aged and infirm woman without any visable means of support, hence she has no means to clothe feed and educate said minors. The said Nancy Hopkins and said minors live near to and upon the land of your petitioner. Your petitioner desires that one of said minors, to wit James Hopkins be bound to him to learn the act of mastery of agriculture. Said James Hopkins minor is about ten years old.” Signed by John P. Mell on August 5, 1867. 

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 John P. Mell 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 John P. Mell, James Hopkins a poor minor of said County, son of George Hopkins, the said James Hopkins to learn the art or mistery of Husbandry, and after the manner of an apprentice to serve him the said John P. Mell from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of eleven (11) years or until he shall arrive at the age of twenty one, all of 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 sought 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  husbandry, 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 August 6th 1867. 

In presence of
John E. Zoucks
Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C.

[Signed] John P. Mell
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

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