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By the time a young man was 14, he and his parents had usually decided upon his future. If he was good in his studies and the family had the money, he might go to college. Otherwise he would get training for a trade through the apprenticeship system. In 1766, Moses Church who was the master of the trade, Justin Hitchcock who was the apprentice-to-be, his father, and 2 others, witnessed this handwritten indenture. It states that Mr. Church will teach Justin Hitchcock the craft of hat making and also will give him food, drink, housing, and clothing. Justin promises to stay with Mr. Church until the age of 21 and to be "in all things a good honest and faithful servant and apprentice." Justin Hitchcock felt the importance of this indenture and saved it in his family papers.