Indenture between Justin Hitchcock and Moses Church

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From the collections of PVMA • Digital image © Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Assoc. • Image use information


About this item

By the time a young man was 14, he and his parents had usually determined his future. If he showed academic promise and the family had the necessary money, he might attend college. Otherwise, he would receive training for a trade through the apprenticeship system. This handwritten 1766 indenture was witnessed by the master, Moses Church, the intended apprentice, his father, and two others. It assures that Mr. Church will teach Justin Hitchcock (1752-1822) the craft of hatmaking and in addition, will provide sufficient meat, drink, lodgings, and clothing for him. Justin promises to stay with Mr. Church until the age of 21 and to be “in all things a good honest and faithful servant and apprentice.” Justin Hitchcock apparently felt the importance of this document and saved it in his family papers.

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Details

Item typeLegal Documents
AuthorChurch, Moses
Date1766-05-05
PlaceSpringfield, Massachusetts
TopicSlavery, Indenture
EraRevolutionary America, 1763–1783
MaterialPaper
Process/FormatHandwriting
Dimension detailsProcess Material: manuscript, paper, ink Height: 12.00 in Width: 7.50 in
Catalog #L99.017
View this item in our curatorial database →
Church, Moses. Indenture between Justin Hitchcock and Moses Church. May 5, 1766. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l99-017/. Accessed on October 11, 2024.

Please note: Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.