Orphan's Indentures were also known as Apprenticeship Bonds, as the master therein named agreed to teach the child a trade. Note that an orphan was, until the early 1900's, considered to be any child whose father had died; whether or not his or her mother was still living was irrelevant in the definition.
Because the indenture was only in effect only until the child reached the age of 21, these records can be useful in pinning down the approximate birth year of an ancestor. They can also tell us roughly when one of the parents died, and in which county the family lived at that time.
Because the indenture was only in effect only until the child reached the age of 21, these records can be useful in pinning down the approximate birth year of an ancestor. They can also tell us roughly when one of the parents died, and in which county the family lived at that time.
Conditions of the contract between the master and the county commissioners:
1) The orphan could chose the master or trade if over 14 years of age. Otherwise it was decided by the court.
2) The master promising to feed and clothe the orphan, and teach him or her a trade.
4) The child was usually unpaid and not allowed to marry during the contract's duration without permission.
5) At the conclusion of the indenture the child would receive material compensation of some sort, such as a suit of clothing or a bit of money.
Reasons for a child to be bound out:
1) Both parents were deceased and the child was under the age of 21
2) One parent had died and the other could not, or would not, support the child.
3) A child's father died and later, when the mother remarried, the step-father did not wish to take on the child.
Reasons for conclusion of an Apprenticeship Bond:
1) A step-father assumed custody
2) The master declared that he could no longer support the child
3) The child could prove that the master was abusive or not fulfilling his contract and a new master was named
4) The child reached the age of 21
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