Orphan Bond: Jake, Abram, Judy to William B. Gaulden (1866)

Bonds

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we W.B. Gaulden principal and S.M. Chapman security are held and firmly bound and obliged unto the Honorable W.P. Girardeau ordinary of Liberty County and his successors in office in the sum of five hundred dollars to be paid to the said ordinary his successors in office or assigns for which payment well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves jointly and severally and each of our heirs, executors, and administrators, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated at Hinesville, this Seventh (7th) day of April 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 W.B. Gaulden a poor coloured orphan of said County by the name of Jake said coloured orphan being twelve years six mo old for eight years and six mo. Now if the said W.B. Gaulden shall treat use and deal with the said apprentice according to the laws and acts in force at this time made and provided in such cases in said state, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. “

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we W.B. Gaulden principal and S.M. Chapman security are held and firmly bound and obliged unto the Honorable W.P. Girardeau ordinary of Liberty County and his successors in office in the sum of five hundred (500) dollars to be paid to the said ordinary his successors in office or assigns for which payment well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves jointly and severally and each of our heirs, executors, and administrators, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated at Hinesville, this Seventh (7th) day of April 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 W.B. Gaulden a poor coloured girl of said County by the name of Judy an illegitimate child deserted by her mother (said coloured orphan being twelve years old) for six years. Now if the said W.B. Gaulden shall treat use and deal with the said apprentice according to the laws and acts in force at this time made and provided in such cases in sasid state, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.”

In the minutes of the April Term 1866 of the Liberty County Court of Ordinary, the following was recorded: “In matter of application of Col. W.B. Gauldean to have bound three coloured children two deserted by their mothers and one an orphan. All of said County. Jake twelve years and six mo. old Abram ten years old. Said Jake and Abram illegitimate. Jake’s mother being dead and Abram being deserted by his mother both to learn the art or mistery of Husbandry. Also Judy and illegitimate child deserted by her mother of twelve years of age – to learn the art or mistery of House servant & Seamstress. Said application being approved by Elias Yulee agent B.R.F.&A.L for said County. On motion it is ordered that the said poor coloured orphan and illegitimate children be bound to the said W.B. Gauldean to learn the art or mistery of Agriculture, House servant & Seamstress and to remain bound to him untill they respectively arrive at full age. “

Apprenticeship Record

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } This indenture made this seventh (7th) day of April, Eighteen hundred and sixty six (1866) between coloured orphan minors Jake, twelve years and six mo. old, Abram, ten years old and Judy twelve years old, all of the said county of the one part, and W.B. Gauldean of the same place of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Jake, Abram and Judy do by the consent of Elias Yulee BRF&AL [Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands] and by order of the Ordinary Court bind themselves out to the said W.B. Gauldean of said county, as apprentice Jake and Abram as agriculturists or laborers upon the plantation of said W.B. Gauldean and Judy as house-servant and seamstress to the said W.B. Gauldean the said Jake and Abram to be taught the trade or craft as labourers or agriculturists, and the said Judy to be taught the trade or craft of house servant and seamstress and to live with continue and serve the said W.B. Gauldean as apprentice from the date hereof for and during the full space or term of years, until they respectively arrive at full age, to wit Jake eight yrs and six mo. Abram eleven yrs and Judy six yrs.”

“During which time, the said Jake Abram and Judy shall well and faithfully demean themselves as such apprentices, observing and obeying fully the commands of the said W.B. Gauldean neither revealing his secrets nor at any time leaving or neglecting the business of the same. And for and in consideration of the services well and faithfully rendered as aforesaid, by the said Jake Abram and Judy of the first part, said W.B. Gauldean of the second part doth covenant, promise and agree to instruct his said apprentices, or otherwise cause them to be instructed in the said trades of agriculture and seamstress & house servant, and also to read and write the English language and in the common rules of arithmetic and shall also allow furnish and provide his said apprentices with meat and drink and clothing during the said term and all other necessaries meet and proper in sickness and in health and shall also at the expiration of the said term, allow the said apprentices the sum of one hundred dollars apiece and two suits of clothes apiece, to be by him paid and given the said apprentices by said W.B. Gauldean of the second part.”

“Witness our hands and seals the day and year above written. 

[Signed]
W.B. Gauldean 
Jake [by mark]
Abram [by mark]
Judy [by mark]

In presence of J.A. Girardeau, Dept. Ord. Lib. Co. 

Recorded this 27th Dec 1867
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.”