HN4/1/30/11

Apprenticeship Indenture for William Fossey of Ampthill apprenticed to William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis of Ampthill, blacksmiths.

20 November 1866– 18 December 1872

From: 1866 To: 1872

This Indenture made the twentieth day of November one thousand eight hundred and sixty six Between William Samuel Slinn and Edward Handscomb churchwardens of the parish of Ampthill in the County of Bedford and James Wildman and Richard Brinkler 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 Frederick Fossey of Ampthill aforesaid labourer of the second part William Fossey son of the said Frederick Fossey (which said William Fossey hath been nominated and chosen by the said Trustees or managers as a proper object of the said Charity) of the third part and William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis of Ampthill aforesaid blacksmiths of the fourth part. Witnesseth that in consideration of the covenants hereinafter contained in the part of the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis to be performed He the said William Fossey Doth put in place and bind himself to the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis to serve him after the manner of an apprentice from the date of these presents until the eighteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and seventy two 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 thirteen shillings and sixpence sterling the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis paid by the said trustees at the execution of these presents (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 William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis doth hereby covenant with the said Frederick Fossey his executors and administrators that he the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis 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 blacksmiths which he the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis now useth in as full ample and sufficient a manner as he the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis 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 of two shillings and sixpence weekly during the first and second years of the said apprenticeship the sum of three shillings and sixpence weekly during the third year of the said apprenticeship and the sum of four shillings and sixpence weekly during the fourth year of the said apprenticeship and the sum of five shillings and sixpence weekly during the fifth year of the said apprenticeship and the sum of six shillings and sixpence weekly during the remainder of the said apprenticeship. And also shall and will provide for the said apprentice aprons during the said apprenticeship. And the said Frederick Fossey for himself his heirs executors and administrators doth hereby covenant with the said William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis his executors and administrators that he the said Frederick Fossey 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 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; James Wildman; Richard Brinkler; mark of Frederick Fossey; mark of William Fossey; William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis. With receipt for £5.13.6 signed by William Abbis, Edward Abbis and Frederick Abbis dated 20 November 1866.

item

Whintchelse, Arthur,
Fossey, William,
Fossey, Frederick,
Abbis, Edward,
Abbis, Frederick,
Abbis, William,
Slinn, William Samuel,
Handscomb, Edward,
Wildman, James,
Brinkler, Richard

AMPTHILL, R. & Co. Hobourn, apprenticeship, parochial charities, Ampthill Wichelse's Charity, churchwardens, Overseers, employment, wages/conditions, clothing, food & drink, labourer, blacksmith