MnM
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Posts: 156
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Post by MnM on Jul 18, 2009 10:15:01 GMT -6
As you all do know, I find some strange things that belonged to my parents around this house, and I so appreciate when I do and post here with pictures that you all do try to come to my aid in finding out any mysterious item. THANKS !!!! Here is the latest one that I have absolutely no idea as to what it is, or why my dad did have it. This is a HUGE 2 page document that measures 26" by 20" and is dated June 10th, 1818, and all hand written in pen and ink in calligraphy which is very hard to decipher. This is witnessed and signed by four prominent people (I guess) since by each significant signature there is a red wax seal. A good friend of mine from New York informed me that back in the day significant people would have a seal on a ring that they wore, and then in turn when they did sign anything of importance they would then stamp their own individual insignia from their ring on that document. This is an "Indenture" which yes I know that there were many slaves, servants and people that were indentured during the time. This also mentions the sum of 600 pounds, that also was a very significant amount back almost 200 years ago. Any ideas here as to what really this is would be very appreciated. Sorry that this is so long with this many pictures, but I really wanted you all to be able to actually "SEE" every part of this. TIA....................... Kay.  |
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Post by DumDave on Jul 18, 2009 11:16:42 GMT -6
It does look like a legal document for an indentured servant. Lotta folks got to come to this country via this type of transaction.
-DD
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Post by Job on Jul 18, 2009 18:36:10 GMT -6
Because of high school history classes, most people today think of "indentured servants" when they see the word "indenture." Historically, however, an indenture was simply a legal term for a type of bond. I could not read most of the text of the document, but by 1818 the era of indentured servants was waning. Because of the length of the document and the frequent references to "estates," it may be some form of trust relating to a will.
An indentured servant agreement would be more straight-forward and much shorter than your document. The following is an example of one.
"This INDENTURE Witnesseth that James Best a Laborer doth Voluntarily put himself Servant to Captain Stephen Jones Master of the Snow Sally to serve the said Stephen Jones and his Assigns, for and during the full Space, Time and Term of three Years from the first Day of the said James’ arrival in Philadelphia in AMERICA, during which Time or Term the said Master or his Assigns shall and will find and supply the said James with sufficient Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and all other necessaries befitting such a Servant, and at the end and expiration of said Term, the said James to be made Free, and receive according to the Custom of the Country. Provided nevertheless, and these Presents are on this Condition, that if the said James shall pay the said Stephen Jones or his Assigns 15 Pounds British in twenty one Days after his arrival he shall be Free, and the above Indenture and every Clause therein, absolutely Void and of no Effect. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto interchangeably put their Hands and Seals the 6th Day of July in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Three in the Presence of the Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of London. (signatures)"
I will be down next week, and I bet I can figure out what it means. (Unless you bring it to me at Omars.) Somehow, I don't have my best legal skills when I am in that place.
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Post by DumDave on Jul 20, 2009 8:24:31 GMT -6
Most lawyers that I know have honed their skills at bars around the courthouse squares of Illinois. You are above the rest on the "gentile" scale. Only men of high honor are allowed into the exclusive social/secret society of "OMAR". I ave applied several times & continue to be black balled. (noticeably when you are in town.)
-Dave
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Post by Job on Jul 20, 2009 8:32:46 GMT -6
Most lawyers that I know have honed their skills at bars around the courthouse squares of Illinois. You are above the rest on the "gentile" scale. Only men of high honor are allowed into the exclusive social/secret society of "OMAR". I ave applied several times & continue to be black balled. (noticeably when you are in town.) -Dave I still owe you a birthday drink. You can collect at Omars and Salatas in the heart of Pintyniniti in the next few days. However, you cannot order zits or zips or zif, that drink you usually imbibe. |
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MnM
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by MnM on Jul 20, 2009 17:24:29 GMT -6
Because of high school history classes, most people today think of "indentured servants" when they see the word "indenture." Historically, however, an indenture was simply a legal term for a type of bond. I could not read most of the text of the document, but by 1818 the era of indentured servants was waning. Because of the length of the document and the frequent references to "estates," it may be some form of trust relating to a will. An indentured servant agreement would be more straight-forward and much shorter than your document. The following is an example of one. "This INDENTURE Witnesseth that James Best a Laborer doth Voluntarily put himself Servant to Captain Stephen Jones Master of the Snow Sally to serve the said Stephen Jones and his Assigns, for and during the full Space, Time and Term of three Years from the first Day of the said James’ arrival in Philadelphia in AMERICA, during which Time or Term the said Master or his Assigns shall and will find and supply the said James with sufficient Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and all other necessaries befitting such a Servant, and at the end and expiration of said Term, the said James to be made Free, and receive according to the Custom of the Country. Provided nevertheless, and these Presents are on this Condition, that if the said James shall pay the said Stephen Jones or his Assigns 15 Pounds British in twenty one Days after his arrival he shall be Free, and the above Indenture and every Clause therein, absolutely Void and of no Effect. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto interchangeably put their Hands and Seals the 6th Day of July in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Three in the Presence of the Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of London. (signatures)" I will be down next week, and I bet I can figure out what it means. (Unless you bring it to me at Omars.) Somehow, I don't have my best legal skills when I am in that place. Ahhh ok well it does state something on this that it is valid to the tune of 1000 YEARS?? But very interesting what you posted here though JOB. When are you coming to town? Please let me know! I would be more then happy to have you come and actually "read" this whole document here. Let me know and I will have it here then, call me! Number is still in the book but under the estate of, I don't know why that hasn't been changed over yet. DD can come over here too and you both can have a look at this one. Let me know.......... thanks, Kay. |
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MnM
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by MnM on Jul 20, 2009 17:26:17 GMT -6
Most lawyers that I know have honed their skills at bars around the courthouse squares of Illinois. You are above the rest on the "gentile" scale. Only men of high honor are allowed into the exclusive social/secret society of "OMAR". I ave applied several times & continue to be black balled. (noticeably when you are in town.) -Dave HAHAHA ^^^ DD I want you and JOB to both come over here and view this document..... that is BEFORE the two of you end up in the "church of OMAR." ........................ Kay  PS....... you can bring some of your ZIF here too, I do always have a cold beer here but not any of your ZIF though.......... lol. |
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Post by Job on Jul 20, 2009 19:10:35 GMT -6
Because of high school history classes, most people today think of "indentured servants" when they see the word "indenture." Historically, however, an indenture was simply a legal term for a type of bond. I could not read most of the text of the document, but by 1818 the era of indentured servants was waning. Because of the length of the document and the frequent references to "estates," it may be some form of trust relating to a will. An indentured servant agreement would be more straight-forward and much shorter than your document. The following is an example of one. "This INDENTURE Witnesseth that James Best a Laborer doth Voluntarily put himself Servant to Captain Stephen Jones Master of the Snow Sally to serve the said Stephen Jones and his Assigns, for and during the full Space, Time and Term of three Years from the first Day of the said James’ arrival in Philadelphia in AMERICA, during which Time or Term the said Master or his Assigns shall and will find and supply the said James with sufficient Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and all other necessaries befitting such a Servant, and at the end and expiration of said Term, the said James to be made Free, and receive according to the Custom of the Country. Provided nevertheless, and these Presents are on this Condition, that if the said James shall pay the said Stephen Jones or his Assigns 15 Pounds British in twenty one Days after his arrival he shall be Free, and the above Indenture and every Clause therein, absolutely Void and of no Effect. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto interchangeably put their Hands and Seals the 6th Day of July in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Three in the Presence of the Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of London. (signatures)" I will be down next week, and I bet I can figure out what it means. (Unless you bring it to me at Omars.) Somehow, I don't have my best legal skills when I am in that place. Ahhh ok well it does state something on this that it is valid to the tune of 1000 YEARS?? But very interesting what you posted here though JOB. When are you coming to town? Please let me know! I would be more then happy to have you come and actually "read" this whole document here. Let me know and I will have it here then, call me! Number is still in the book but under the estate of, I don't know why that hasn't been changed over yet. DD can come over here too and you both can have a look at this one. Let me know.......... thanks, Kay. Tomorrow night. |
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MnM
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by MnM on Jul 21, 2009 0:50:22 GMT -6
Ohhhhhhhhh. ^^^^........ good, give me a call for a deff time!!! Kay  |
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Post by DumDave on Jul 21, 2009 10:10:02 GMT -6
I'll make sure to have my phone on my person, too. (Usually it is on the dresser)
-DD
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