"Foster care" may come close to the cases I've seen. Orphans became wards
of the court absent next of kin. Even with capable next of kin, orphans
frequently went out to apprentice at a very early age. There is a case in
early 19th century Orange County, NC where two brothers (probably) had a
duel and the survivor, as closest next of kin, became estate executor and
guardian for two surviving kids. He put both out to 'apprentice.'
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary L. Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: Indenture, at what age ?
> I have a book "Barren County Kentucky Deeds 1798-18l3 p. 97 says:
>
> Apprenticeship 18 Apr 1808 by William Logan (Clerk of Barren
County)
> binding Catharine Glover age 18 months (daughter of Mary Glover) to
> William Hall until she is 16 to learn the art or business of
> housekeeping and reading and writing.
>
> Signed: William Hall, and acknowledged and received 18 April
> 1808 by William Hall. signed W. Logan.
>
> I couldn't believe it myself when I read it. Mary Miller
>
>
> Jim Watkinson wrote:
> >
> > Children could be indentured at almost any age, tho' I've never seen an
> > infant indured. Indeed, 5 is the youngest I've seen.
> >
> > And, no, indenture was NOT a form of adoption. One was indented to
serve
> > one's master until one reached the age of majority or served the time
> > specified in the indenture. Most indentures for boys provided for
> > education: reading, writing, and "cyphering to the rule of three."
Girls
> > did not get the math; blacks got nothing. At the end, indentured
servants
> > generally were owed "freedom dues," i.e. money and a suit of clothes.
This
> > applied to free blacks as well. Indentured servants had little more
rights
> > than slaves in colonial and early republic America.
> >
> > Jim Watkinson
> >
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