Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    HN4/1/43/7
  • Title
    Apprenticeship Indenture for Thomas Francis of Ridgmont to William Hensman of Woburn, machine and agricultural implement maker. Term of three years.
  • Date free text
    20 December 1839
  • Production date
    From: 1839 To: 1839
  • Scope and Content
    This Indenture witnesseth that Thomas Francis son of William Francis of Ridgmont in the County of Bedford, labourer a poor child belonging to and having a settlement in the Parish of Ridgmont aforesaid by and with the consent of his said father and also of John Readman and Joseph Norris Churchwardens of the parish of Ridgmont aforesaid (testified by their severally being a Party to and sealing and delivering these presents) doth put himself apprentice to William Hensman of Woburn in the County of Bedford, machine and agricultural implement maker to learn his and with him after the manner of an apprentice to serve him from the first day of November now last past unto the full end and term of three years from thence next ensuing to be fully to be complete and ended during which term the said apprentice his said Master faithfully shall serve in all lawful businesses according to his power wit and ability and honestly orderly and obediently in all things demean and behave himself towards his said Master and all his during the said term. And in consideration of the sum of Eighteen pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to the said William Hensman by the said John Readman and Joseph Norris Churchwardens of the parish of Ridgmont in manner and form following (that is to say) the sum of nine pounds being one moiety thereof at or before the execution of these presents and the remaining sum of nine pounds when the said Apprentice shall have served half the said term the receipt of which said first mentioned sum of eighteen pounds is hereby acknowledged (which said sum of Twenty pounds is part and parcel of certain charity monies or interest arising therefrom left by the will of Arthur Whitchelsea for the putting out annually poor children of the parish of Ridgmont and other villages therein mentioned apprentices) the said William Hensman his said apprentice in the art or calling of a machine and agricultural implement maker which he useth by the best means that he can during the said term of three years and doth hereby agree to allow and pay to the said apprentice in lieu of and full satisfaction for all board and lodging clothes washing tools and all other necessaries for him the said the wages and salary following (that is to say) up to the first day of November which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty the sum of six shillings per week and thence up to the first day of November one thousand eight hundred and forty one the sum of seven shillings per week and thence for the remainder of the said term the sum of eight shillings per week. Subject nevertheless as hereinafter mentioned but free from all other deductions whatever the said payments to be made every fortnight. Provided always if it shall happen that the said Thomas Francis shall at any time during the said term from illness or on any account whatever be absent from the business and employment of the said William Hensman Then the said respective weekly wages of sic shillings seven shillings and eight shillings cease and such of the same respectively as shall in pursuance of the Covenant hereinbefore contained accrue during such time or times as he the said Thomas Francis shall be so absent shall not be payable or a due proportion thereof during the time of such absence shall be deducted therefrom anything hereinbefore contained to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. Provided also that if the said Thomas Francis shall be absent from his said Masters service on account of illness or from any other cause during the said term without the consent of the said Master, it is agreed between the said parties that the said Thomas Francis shall and will continue to serve the said William Hensman assuch apprentice and on such terms as aforesaid for such further time beyond the said term of three years as shall make up the full period of three years and at such rate or rates of wages as hereinbefore mentioned to be payable during the year or respective years in which such time or respective times of absence shall occur. And the said William Francis doth hereby agree that he the said Thomas Francis shall and will during all the said term take and accept the said weekly wages of six shillings, seven shillings and eight shillings respectively payable every fortnight in lieyu and in full satisfaction for his board and lodging clothes, washing, tools and all other necessaries during the said term. And that the said William Francis dhall and will find and provide his said son with fit and proper clothing tools and all other necessaries during the said term. And lastly for the true performance of all the several agreements hereinbefore contained either of them the said William Francis (on the part of his said son) and the said William Hensman bindeth himself unto the other by these presents. In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hand and seals the twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. Signed: Thomas Francis; William Francis; John Readman; Joseph Norris; William Hensman; William Harland, Clerk to Mr Green, solicitor, Woburn; With receipt for £10 signed by William Hensman 20 December 1839.
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