This Indenture made this sixth Day of September
in the Year of our Lord seventeen hundred & ninety seven
between Jonathan Ballard of Sunderland in the County
of Hampshire of the one part, & Samuel Wells of Deer-
field in said County of the other part, Witnesseth
That the said Jonathan Ballard hath placed, and
doth hereby place and bind out to the said Samuel
Wells, his Daughter - Rhoda Ballard -- to live
with & serve the said Samuel Wells from the Date
hereof untill the twenty sixth Day of March
which will be in the Year of our Lord eighteen
hundred & three at which time the said Rhoda
if she be then living will be eighteen Years of Age
during all which time the said Rhoda her said
Master faithfully shall serve his secrets keep
& his lawful commands readily obey- she
shall do no Damage to her said Master, nor
willingly suffer any to be done by others at Cards
Dice or any unlawful game she shall not play
she shall not commit Fornication nor contract
Matrimony During said Term -- She shall
not embezzle nor waste her s^d Masters Goods
nor lend them unlawfully to any but shall
at all times & in all things behave herself, as a
good and faithfull Apprentice during the term
aforesaid - And the said Samuel doth hereby
agree & engage to provide during s^d Term for the said
Rhoda good & sufficient Meat Drink Washing
Lodging & Apparel. -- & to instruct her, or cause
her to be instructed in Needlework & Housewifery
and in writing & Reading - if she be capable
to learn - and at the expiration of said term
to give her two good Suits of Apparel for all
parts of her Body - suitable to her degree --

In Witness, whereof the said Parties have
hereto interchangably set their Hands & Seals
the Day & Year first aforesaid-
Signed Sealed & delivered
in presence of--

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This indenture of September 6, 1797, served to "place and bind out" Rhoda Ballard, age 12, to the care of Samuel Wells of Deerfield, Massachusetts. She agrees to be a good servant and to honor her master's wishes. Mr. Wells agrees to provide for her food, washing, housing, and clothing and he will make sure she is taught needlework, housewife skills, reading and writing. The end of the indenture is set for March 26, 1803, when Rhoda will be 18. Mr. Ballard, his daughter, and Mr. Wells agreed to the terms.

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