My gr-gr-grandfather, Richard Nichols (1785-1860), was an early settler of Franklin County. He is listed in the 1820 census. A couple of notes written by family members many years ago indicated that Richard was orphaned at an early age was was "bound out" to learn the trade of coverlet weaving. Richard was definitely a weaver. A picture of one of his works appear in a book about Indiana weavers. The 1850 census indicated that Richard was born in Delaware. I did search come Delaware court records looking for a "bounding out" document but found nothing. I wonder if a young person who was bound-out took the surname of his mentor. Could this have been common practice also? ---------- > From: Cambridge, Dan <dan_cambridge@cmfz.com> > To: INFRANKLI-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: RE: [INFRANKLI-L] Definition of "bond boys"??? > Date: Sunday, September 06, 1998 5:24 PM > > Pat, > I have always heard the term as "bound boy." It applied to girls as well. > Before there were orphanages or social service agencies, children who were > orphaned or whose parents or relatives were otherwise unable to take care of > them were usually "bound out." A court-appointed guardian would sign bonds > of indenture (hence the term "bound" or "bond") with an individual who > agreed to care for the child until his or her majority (18 for girls, 21 for > boys). The bonds that I have seen were all pretty much the same formula > language: the individual signing the bond agreed to educate the child, teach > him or her farming, housewifery or a trade and give him or her something > upon reaching majority: usually a suit of clothes and a little money; > sometimes for girls a featherbed or other household furnishings for a dowry; > sometimes for boys a horse. What they got in return, of course, was cheap > labor. "Bound" children were often treated as servants, got very little > education and often didn't get what had been promised them at their > majority. I think the practice started to die out after about the middle > of the 19th century, when government bodies began to take more > responsibility for orphans and destitute children. > My great-grandfather, who was born in Franklin County, was bound out along > with his four siblings and seven cousins when their parents died shortly > after moving to Iowa in 1843. > I would be interested in hearing any information others might have on this > practice. > dan_cambridge@cmfz