Apprenticed: Martha Ellen to John A. Martin (1867)

Bond

First Document: 
State of Georgia, Liberty County } Personally appeared before me W.P. Girardeau Ordinary of said County. John A. and Benj. D. Martin who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they are personally acquainted with one Nancy Hopkins of said County whose husband Geo. Hopkins has gone to parts unknown deponents further deposeth and saith that said Nancy has three minor children, to wit William, James and Martha Ellen, and she the said Nancy has no visable means of support, having no estate, and that she is aged and infirm. The said William is aged about fourteen, James ten, and Martha Ellen six years of age. Sworn before me this Aug 6th, 1867.” 

Second Document: 
State of Georgia, Liberty County } To the Honorable the Court of Ordinary of said County. Your petitioner respectfully sheweth that one Nancy Hopkins of said County an aged and infirm woman has a daughter Martha Ellen aged about six years. Said Nancy Hopkins has no visable means of support and her daughter Martha Ellen is a fit subject to be bound out so that she may be raised and educated properly and learn some useful occupation, and your petitioner respectfully applies to have the said Martha Ellen bound to him in terms of the law, to learn the act of house service and seamstress.” [Signed] J.A. Martin [Date cut off]

[Transcriber’s Note: Another copy of this second document, image #25, has the following written over it: “Canceled this November term Nov 4th 186?7? W.P. GIrardeau O.L.C.”]

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 A. Martin of the same place of the other part, witnesseth that the said Court of Ordinary, hath, this day, under the acts of the Legislature of said State, bound and put as apprentice to the said John A. Martin, Martha Ellen (a poor colored minor of George Hopkins) daughter of Nancy Hopkins of said County, the said Martha Ellen to learn the art or mistery of House-service and seamstress and after the manner of an apprentice to serve the said John A. Martin from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of twelve years, or until she shall arrive at the age of Eighteen, all of which time, her said master, she shall faithfully obey, she shall do no damage to her said master, nor see it done by others, without giving him notice thereof; she shall not contract matrimony within the said term, she shall not absent herself, by day or by night, from his said masters service without his leave but in all things behave herself 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 house service and seamstress, and provide for her 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 affixed their seals this August 6th 1867.

In presence of 
J.A. Girardeau
Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C.

[signed] 
J.A. Martin
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

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