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I Luke Hitchcock Indenture of his Son Justin [outside fold of document]

This Indenture Witnesseth
That I Justin Hitchcock of Granville Son of Luke Hitchcock of
Granville in the County of Hampshire In New England Hath Put
Himself of his own free will and Accord and with the Consent
of Luke Hitchcock aforesaid Doth Put and bind himself to be
an Apprentice unto Moses Church of Springfield In the County
of Hampshire to learn his art trade or Mystery and with
Him the Said Moses After the manner of an Apprentice
to Dwell and Serve from the Day and Date Here of for and Du=
=ring the full and Just Term until he Arrives to the
age of Twenty one Compleat and During all which Said,
Term the Said Apprentice His Said Master He Shall
Honestly and faithfully sere His Secrets keep close His
lawful and Reason=
=able commands every where Gladly Do and Perform Damage
to his Said master. He Shall not wilfully Do His Masters
Goods He Shall not waste embezel purloine or lend unto
others nor Suffer the Same to be wasted or Purloined but
Shall forthwith Discover and make known the Same unto his Said master Taverns or Ale-houses He Shall not frequent at Cards Dice
or any other unlawful Game He Shall not Play
Fornication He Shall not commit nor matrimony
Contract with any Person During the Said term from
his masters Service. He Shall not at any time unlaw=
fully Absent himself but in all things as a Good honest
and Faithfull Servant and Apprentice Shall bear and
behave himself towards His Said master During the
full Term aforesaid

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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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.

 

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Indenture between Justin Hitchcock and Moses Church

creator   Luke Hitchcock (1724-1777)
creator   Moses Church
date   May 5, 1766
location   Springfield, Massachusetts
height   12.0"
width   7.5"
process/materials   manuscript, paper, ink
item type   Legal Documents/Indenture Contract
accession #   #L99.017


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See Also...

"Remarks and Observations" by Justin Hitchcock

Silhouette of Deacon Justin Hitchcock (1752-1822)

Indenture of Zechariah Gilson of Northfield


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