Orphan Bond: Tom, Nero to A.J. Baggs (1866)

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we A.J. Bagg [alt: Baggs] principal  and W.A. Baggs 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 one thousand 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 7th day of May 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 A.J. Baggs two poor coloured orphans of said County, by the name of Tom and Nero, sons of Shedric [alt: Shederic, Shadrach, Shadrack], a coloured man, deceased, formerly the property of Jos. McGowen deceased, Tom aged eleven for ten years and Nero aged eight for thirteen years or untill they shall arrive at the age of twenty one, respectively. Now if the said A.J. Baggs  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; else to remain in full force and virtue. “

[NOTE:  See https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-WZ6F?i=317&cat=293521 for a different version of this record.]] 

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 A.J. Baggs 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 A.J. Baggs Tom and Nero, poor coloured orphan children of Shedric, a coloured man of said County deceased, formerly the property of Jos. McGowen deceased, Rose the mother of said orphan children, formerly the property of W.A. Baggs, also deceased, the said Tom being Eleven years old, and the said Nero eight years old, the said Tom and Nero to learn the art or mistery of Husbandry, and after the manner of apprentices to serve him the said A.J. Baggs from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of years until they respectively arrive at full age, to wit, Tom ten years and Nero thirteen years, all which time, their said master, they shall faithfully obey, 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 faithful apprentices 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 of mistery of Husbandry and provide for them the said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, apparel and lodging, and all other things fitting for apprentices, during the said time, and the said master is to give the said apprentices, 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 7th day of May 1866. 

[Signed] 
A.J. Baggs
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

In presence of Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C.

Recorded this 30th December 1867
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.”