Clara, Hope you don't mind but I am sending this story out through the DeWitt List. It was interesting enough that I though others would like to see the info on Indentured Servants. DWCGQ: Fall 1987 Vol. III No 3 Page 87 AN INDENTURED SERVANT IN 1845 -- EMALINE WINSLOW The following document was transcribed and submitted by Lola Hidden, Clinton, IL. June 1845 -- Orin Wakefield came into court and presented a bond or Indenture of which the following is a copy: “This indenture made and entered into this Second day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and forty-five between James Vandeventer and Franklin Barnett Commissioners of the County of DeWitt and State of Illinois of the first part and Orin Wakefield of the same County and State of the other part. Witnesseth that said County Commissioners by virtue of the Law of the State of Illinois in Such Cases made and provided have placed and by these presents do place and bind out as a servant a poor child named Emaline Winslow an orphan daughter of Jeremiah Winslow late of said County deceased to dwell and serve the said Orin Wakefield from the day of the date hereof until the first day of January AD 1854 at which time the Said Servant girl will be Eighteen years old according to best Information during all of which time or term the Said Servant her said Master well and faithfully Shall Serve his Secrets Keep and his Lawful commands every where and at all times readily obey. She Shall do no damage to her Said Master nor knowingly Suffer any to be done by others She shall not waste the goods of her Said Master nor tend them unlawfully to any. At cards or dice or other unlaw- ful games She Shall not Play. Matrimony She Shall not contract during the said term. From the Services of her Said Master She Shall not absent herself but in all things and at all times She Shall demean and behave herself as a good faithful Servant ought during the whole term aforesaid. And the said Orin Wakefield binds himself to cause Said Servant to be taught to Read and write and the ground Rules of Arithmetic and shall give unto Said Servant a new bible and two new suits of clothes suitable to her condition at the expiration of her said terms of service. In Testimony whereof we have hereunto set Our Hands and Seals this 2nd day o6 June AD, 1845.” James Vandeventer (LS) Franklin Barnett (LS) Attest John J. McGraw Orin Wakefield (LS) County Clerk December, 1845 -- Orin Wakefield came into court and wished court to annul Indenture wherein an orphan Emaline Winslow was bound to Wakefield. Court granted same. Emaline Winslow was then bound to John Dawson. She was to be taught to read and write and the ground rules of arithmetic. To learn and perform various duties of housewifery. To receive a new bible 2 new suits of cloths suitable to her condition at expiration of her term of service. November, 1854 -- Marriage records show Emaline Winslow and Benj. Day were married 15 November 1854. Bob Halsey [email protected] Viera, FL