They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Apprenticed: Henrietta to William Hughes (1866)

Names of Orphan and Parents: Henrietta, daughter of Flora
Bound to: Wm. [William] Hughes Sr.
Date: 1866-11-06

Bond

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we Wm. Hughes Sr. principal and J.W. Farmer 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 November 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 Ordinary as aforesaid has this day bound unto the said Wm. Hughes Sr. a poor coloured orphan of said County, by the name of Henrietta, illegitimate minor child of Flora, a coloured woman formerly belonging to said Wm. Hughes, for nine (9) years of untill she shall arrive at the age of eighteen. Now if the said Wm. Hughes  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. “

Apprenticeship Record

Apprenticeship Record:

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } This indenture made and entered into by and between the W.P. Girardeau Ordinary of the County aforesaid of the one part and Wm. Hughes Sr of the same place of the other part, witnesseth that the said Ordinary, hath, this day, by the consent of all parties concerned bound and put as apprentice to the said Wm. Hughes, Henrietta a poor coloured girl of said County illegitimate child of Flora a coloured woman formerly owned by said Wm. Hughes to learn the art or mistery of House service and after the manner of an apprentice to serve him from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of nine (9)  years, 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 her 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 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 seals this fifth (5th) day of November 1866

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

[signed] Wm. Hughes
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

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

Sources: 

Colored Orphan Bonds 1866-1873, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia. Digitized: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-3SZK-8, Film #008628956, Image #20. 

Indentures of apprenticeships 1866-1884, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia page 16; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-R3YG-BV46 : accessed 15 July 2022),  Family History Library Film 009054062, Image 16 of 31.