Toby, Hannah [Indenture apprenticing Javin Toby to John Steadman]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03002.01 Author/Creator: Toby, Hannah Place Written: South Kingston, Rhode Island Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 9 Januray 1747 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 20 x 30 cm. Order a Copy
Singed by Toby with an X, also signed by Samuel Swift and Thomas Hazard, both Justices of the Peace. States that "Hannah Toby Indian Woman" has indentured her son "Javin Toby a Molatto" to John Steadman and his wife for fifteen years and five months. The terms of the indenture specify that "He shall not use any unlawfull games, nor Contract Matrimony nor Commit Fornication during sd Term." He must faithfuly obey them, and they must provide food and clothing.
This Indenture Witnesseth that Hannah Toby Indian Woman of So. Kingstown in ye. County of Kings County in ye. Colony of Rhode Island &c. Spinster hath put her son Javin Toby, [inserted: a] Molatto of her own free Will & accord an apprentice or servant to John Steadman of South Kingstown aforesd. Yeoman & to Purthaney his Wife their Exetrs. or administrs. after the Manner of an apprentice to serve from ye. Day of ye date hereof for and during ye. Term of fifteen years & five Months Which Will be Compleatd, on ye. Seventh day of June AD: 1763 during all which Term y.e s.d apprentice or sevant his s.d Master & Mistress faithfully shall serve their [servits]. Keep their Lawfull Commands gladly & every Where obey he shall do no damage to his sd. Master & Mistress nor see it done by others - Without giving notice thereof to his sd. Master and Mistress he shall [inserted: not] waste his Masters & Mistresses [inserted: goods] nor lend them unlawfully to any He shall not use any unlawfull Games, nor Contract Matrimony nor Commit Fornication during sd. Term he shall [inserted: not] absent himself either by day or by night Without [strikeout] Leave nor Haunt Taverns ale Houses or [Deay] Houses but in all things behave as a faithfull servent ought to do during sd. Term and [inserted: his] sd. Master & Mistriss their Executors of admrs. On their Part, are to find & provide sufficient apparrel meat Drink Washing & Lodging sutable for such an apprentice during sd. Term & at ye. Expiration thereof to Dismiss him With one new suit of apparrel fitting for his Body besides his usual Wearing Cloaths for Witness whereof the Parties to these Presents have interchangeably set their Hands & seals this Ninth Day of January AD: 1747,& in ye. Twenty first year of his Maj.ties King George ye. 2d. over great Brittain &c King - her
Sign.d Seal.d & De.d in ye Presence of Hannah X Toby
Samuel Swift [jus] marke
Th: Hazard sor of Rob.t
[2] Corn Wallis Aprill yr 1761
Know all men by these presents that I John Steadman of Corn Wallis in Kings County in [illegible] [illegible] Do make and acquint my Loving Brother Samuel Steadman my Lawfull attorney that is to say for to act and [Leave] act authority that he shall think Proper With the [sad.] [strikeout] within mentioned [acquints] or aney part that unto Belong in to att in this Case and in No other case what Ever -
Signed in the presents
of Us
[Ladock Benet] John Steadman
[docket 1]
Indenture Hannah
Toby to John
Steadman
[docket 2]
Kings County [Is] South Kingstown Jany 9.th A.D 1747
The within Indenture being duly
Examined is approvd. as by us
Samuel Swift} Justices of ye Peace
Th.o Hazard}
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