Names of Orphan and Parents: Ellen (daughter of Georgia)
Bound to: Benjamin Darsey
Date: 1867-03-04
Bond
“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we Benjamin Darsey 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 4th day of March 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 Benjamin Darsey, Ellen, a poor coloured orphan illegitimate child of Georgia, a coloured woman of said County deceased, formerly the property of John A. Hendry, deceased, for the term of eleven (11) years to learn the art of mastery of seamstress & house service. Now should the said Benjamin Darsey 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. “
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 Benjamin Darsey 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 Benjamin Darsey, “Ellen” a poor colored girl of said County, illegitimate child of “Georgia” a coloured woman of said County, deceased, and formerly owned by John A. Hendry deceased, the said Ellen to learn the art or mistery of House-service and seamstress and after the manner of an apprentice to serve the said Benjamin from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of eleven (11) 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 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 fourth (4th) day of March 1867.
In presence of
M.J. Baggs
Jesse Brewer C.S.C.L.C.
[signed]
Benjamin Darsey
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-X, Film #008628956, Image #21.
Indentures of apprenticeships 1866-1884, Court of Ordinary, Liberty County, Georgia page 17; database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 15 July 2022), Family History Library Film 009054062, Images 16 of 31.