Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    HN4/1/30/9
  • Title
    Apprenticeship Indenture for William Bright of Ampthill apprenticed to Thomas Harrison of Ampthill, shoemaker.
  • Date free text
    12 September 1864 – 1866
  • Production date
    From: 1864 To: 1866
  • Scope and Content
    This Indenture made the twelfth day of September one thousand eight hundred and sixty four Between William Samuel Slinn and Edward Handscomb churchwardens of the parish of Ampthill in the County of Bedford and George Claridge and Charles Riddle Overseers of the Poor of the said parish of Ampthill (the trustees or managers for the time being of that portion of the funds of a certain public charity called Arthur Wintchelse’s Charity which is available for putting out poor children of the said Parish of Ampthill apprentices) of the first part John Chapman of Ampthill aforesaid straw drawer of the second part William Bright grandson of the said John Chapman (which said William Bright hath been nominated and chosen by the said Trustees or managers as a proper object of the said Charity) of the third part and Thomas Harrison of Ampthill aforesaid shoemaker of the fourth part. Witnesseth that in consideration of the covenants hereinafter contained in the part of the said Thomas Harrison to be performed He the said William Bright Doth put in place and bind himself to the said Thomas Harrison to serve him after the manner of an apprentice from the date of these presents until the eleventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine during all which time the said apprentice shall and will properly behave and demean himself unto his said Master his secrets keep his lawful commands everywhere cheerfully execute and shall not nor will so any hurt to his said Master in his business or otherwise nor cause or suffer it to be done by others but shall and will prevent the same to the utmost of his power and acquaint his said Master therewith and shall not nor will either waste give or lend the goods of his said Master at cards dice or any other unlawful games he shall not play. Taverns ale houses or play houses he shall not frequent, fornication he shall not commit, matrimony he shall not contract. From the service of his said Master he shall not absent himself without leave but in all things shall and will conduct himself as a good and faithful apprentice ought to do during the whole of his apprenticeship. In consideration of which premises and also of the sum of five pounds six shillings and sixpence sterling the said Thomas Harrison paid by the said trustees at the execution of these presents and the further sum of two pounds thirteen shillings and sixpence to be paid to the said Thomas Harrison on the first day of August one thousand eight hundred and sixty six making together the sum of eight pounds (the whole of which said premium or sum is provided by or at the sole charge of the said public charity without the addition of any other premium or sum from any other quarter by reason of which this Indenture is expressly exempted from all stamp duty by virtue of the stamp act passed in the fifty fifth year of the reign of King George the Third). He the said Thomas Harrison doth hereby covenant with the said John Chapman his executors and administrators that he the said Thomas Harrison shall and with the best of his skill and knowledge teach and instruct or cause to be taught and instructed the said apprentice in the art mystery and practice of a shoemaker which he the said Thomas Harrison now useth in as full ample and sufficient a manner as he the said Thomas Harrison now doth or at any time hereafter during the said apprenticeship shall or may practice or use the same. And also shall and will ( so long as the said apprentice shall duly perform his part as aforesaid but not while the said apprentice shall through sickness or otherwise cease to do so) well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said apprentice the sum of two shillings weekly during the first year of the apprenticeship, the sum of three shillings weekly during the second year of the apprenticeship the sum of four shillings weekly during the third year of the apprenticeship the sum of five shillings weekly during the fourth year of the apprenticeship and the sum of six shillings weekly during the remainder of the said apprenticeship. And also shall and will provide for the said apprentice shoes and aprons during the said apprenticeship. And the said John Chapman for himself his heirs executors and administrators doth hereby covenant with the said Thomas Harrison his executors and administrators that he the said John Chapman shall and will during the said apprenticeship find and provide for the said apprentice good and sufficient meat drink and lodging and also all manner of needful and proper apparel (except shoes and aprons aforesaid) and washing and mending thereof and also shall and will bear the expenses of an apothecary nurse or medicines in case the said apprentice shall happen to be afflicted with any illness during the said apprenticeship. In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written. Signed: W S Slinn; Edward Handscomb; George Claridge; Charles Riddle; the mark of John Chapman; William Bright; Thomas Harrison. With receipt for £5.6.6 signed by Thomas Harrison dated 12 September 1864. Pencil annotation ‘fell ill and was obliged to leave.’
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