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Lot 272: 1774 Indentured Servitude Agreement

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:240.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Lot  272: 1774 Indentured Servitude Agreement
<b>Colonial America</b><hr><b>1774 Colonial Indentured Servitude Agreement</b>

<b>March 12, 1774 Document, A Colonial Indentured Servitude Agreement, Hempfield, PA, Choice Extremely Fine.</b>
Manuscript Document Signed, “William Chamberlain” and “John Peden” on watermarked, fine-laid paper, 12” x 8”, 4-page integral sheet, in which a father (Chamberlain) binds his son, Arthur, to 2 years service to Peden of Hempfield, Lancaster County, PA. In exchange, Peden pays for the son’s passage from Ireland. Lightly toned page with folds and minor edge splits. Nicely scripted, and terrific content, reflecting the hard economic considerations that affected early European immigrants to America: “In consideration of five Pounds eight shillings & six pence paid for the said Arthur Chamberlain’s Passage from Ireland... hath bound out and... doth bind... his said son Arthur... servant to the said John Peden to serve him... for... the full term of two years, two months & one half....” The son was provided clothing, food, lodging, and was allowed to go to school for three months during his term of servitude.