Boston Public Library
Boston Overseers of the Poor Indentures and Related Material, 1734-1805
The Boston Overseers of the Poor indentures and related material consists of about 1,800 indentures, certificates of endorsement, and other related materials spanning the years 1734-1805. The indentures document the Overseers’ efforts to place children who, because of the conditions in their home, were living in the Almshouse. These children became apprentices in either homes or in other suitable means of employment with the intent that they would learn skills that would mutually benefit both them and society.
An indenture is an official contract between the Overseers and a family or individual that stipulates the obligations established by the Overseers for an apprenticeship. The name and town of the apprentice, name and town of the person(s) indentured to, and the trades and skills to be taught are documented. The trades include: carpentry, domestic arts -- including dressmaking, farming, and maritime trades. The length of the apprenticeship is noted in the body of the indenture and its end date is recorded on the back of the document.
The indentures note that all apprentices were entitled to a basic education consisting of reading, writing, and simple arithmetic during their apprenticeships, and to two proper suits of clothing at the end. There are some cases in which compensation is noted. In addition, the indentures set out the moral behavior expected of an apprentice and the appropriate living conditions that were to be provided to them. Each indenture was witnessed by two people and signed by officials of the Almshouse, justices of the peace, and the Overseers. Persons living outside of Boston who wished to have an apprentice were required to obtain a certificate of endorsement of good character from their town’s selectmen. The indentures and endorsement certificates are on printed forms that were filled in by hand.
Other related materials include correspondence verifying apprentices’ terms of service in the Continental Army, requests from parents for apprenticeships for their children, and a request to end an apprenticeship because of the death of the head of the family. Fragments of indentures, lists from the almshouse, and correspondence are also included.
Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by David McCullough's Yale class of 1955 and the Associates of the Boston Public Library.
An indenture is an official contract between the Overseers and a family or individual that stipulates the obligations established by the Overseers for an apprenticeship. The name and town of the apprentice, name and town of the person(s) indentured to, and the trades and skills to be taught are documented. The trades include: carpentry, domestic arts -- including dressmaking, farming, and maritime trades. The length of the apprenticeship is noted in the body of the indenture and its end date is recorded on the back of the document.
The indentures note that all apprentices were entitled to a basic education consisting of reading, writing, and simple arithmetic during their apprenticeships, and to two proper suits of clothing at the end. There are some cases in which compensation is noted. In addition, the indentures set out the moral behavior expected of an apprentice and the appropriate living conditions that were to be provided to them. Each indenture was witnessed by two people and signed by officials of the Almshouse, justices of the peace, and the Overseers. Persons living outside of Boston who wished to have an apprentice were required to obtain a certificate of endorsement of good character from their town’s selectmen. The indentures and endorsement certificates are on printed forms that were filled in by hand.
Other related materials include correspondence verifying apprentices’ terms of service in the Continental Army, requests from parents for apprenticeships for their children, and a request to end an apprenticeship because of the death of the head of the family. Fragments of indentures, lists from the almshouse, and correspondence are also included.
Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by David McCullough's Yale class of 1955 and the Associates of the Boston Public Library.