Begin Again indenture and labor ERA


Indenture of Eliza Ann Burham, Corinth, 1838

Indenture of Eliza Ann Burham, Corinth, 1838
Item 18067   info
Maine Historical Society

Through this document the Town of Corinth's Overseers of the Poor bound orphan Eliza Ann Burham to Jonathan Winn Preble when she was only seven years old. She was legally indentured to him until she turned 18.

Mr. Preble was tasked with helping her learn to read and write, and with providing food, drink, and clothing. The town of Corinth reimbursed him for some expenses but Preble would benefit from her labor throughout that time period. While the orphans like Eliza Ann needed someone to take them in, it could be a brutal existence for those bound to masters who treated them poorly.

David Webber letter to Cumberland Overseers of the Poor, 1830

David Webber letter to Cumberland Overseers of the Poor, 1830
Item 33429   info
Prince Memorial Library

In this letter dated May 3, 1830, David Webber of Harpswell writes the Cumberland Overseers of the Poor to tell them he will take David Webber, son of Richard Webber, "abought" five years of age. David Webber of Harpswell says he will take the boy until he turns 21 if the Overseers will bind the younger boy to him, and will give him good learning and good "Cloes."

David Webber of Harpswell appears to be the brother of Richard Webber of Cumberland, and uncle to the younger David Webber. An indenture document signed by the Cumberland Overseers of the Poor in June 1830 bound out the younger David Webber to David Webber of Harpswell until September 5, 1845, when the younger David would turn 21. The indenture agreement was broken, as the younger David Webber was bound out to another uncle, James Hamilton of Cumberland, on June 25, 1832.

David Webber indenture document, Cumberland, 1832

David Webber indenture document, Cumberland, 1832
Item 31426   info
Prince Memorial Library

On June 25, 1832, the Cumberland Overseers of the Poor, Nicholas Rideout Jr. and Tristram Sanborn, signed an indenture that placed David Webber, son of Richard Webber of Cumberland, into an apprenticeship with James Hamilton of Cumberland. Hamilton, identified as a yeoman, was to teach David Webber "the art, trade, or mystery of a Husbandman," as well as "to read, write and cipher as far as the rule of three..." David Webber, eight years old in 1832, was put into Hamilton's care until September 5, 1845, when he would turn 21. A previous indenture in 1830 placed David Webber, then six, as an apprentice to David Webber of Harpswell. Also in 1830, Isaac Webber, age 11, son of Richard Webber and brother of David Webber, was indentured to James Hamilton of Cumberland.

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