I'm sure this is probably a stupid question to the rest of you, but please tell me what learning to "cypher through the rule of 3" means. I understand cypher. It's the third item in "readin', writin' 'n 'rithmetic", but what's the "rule of three"? Thanks from a dummy. Elaine -----Original Message----- From: MS LOUISE T OVERTON <DFGM43A@prodigy.com> To: NCGUILFO-L@rootsweb.com <NCGUILFO-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, February 17, 1999 5:43 PM Subject: [NCGUILFO-L] Apprentice Bonds in Guilford Co #8 >Number #8 Posting > >Minutes of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions >Guilford County, NC >Apprentice Bonds >N.C. Archives microfilm CR 046.300.01 > >February Term 1805 >page 322 > >Washington MICHEL, a free boy of color, aged nine years the 28th day of >this month, be bound to Richard HOWARTH until full >age, to learn to read, give him a good suit of clothes and ten pounds. > >May Term 1805 >page 328 > >Jesse SWAIN, orphan aged three years the 29th day of September 1804 be >bound to Obed ANTHONE until full age, to learn to read, write and cypher >through the rule of three, to learn the art of blacksmith as far as he is capable. > >May Term 1805 >page 335 > >Ezra WINSLOW, orphan aged three years the 29th day of July next, >be bound to Zimre CHASE until full age, to learn the art of a shoemaker, to >read, write and cypher as far as the rule of three, to give him a set of >tools, freedom dues and $50.00 when free. > >August Term 1805 >page 346 > >Mary W. STERN, orphan aged six years and six months, be bound to Robert >DONNELL, to learn the art of a spinster, to have a new spinning wheel, >freedom clothes, the sum of $10.00, a bed, and to learn to read and write. > >August Term 1805 >page 346 > >John CONNER, aged three years, be bound to David GROSS until full age, to >learn to read, write and cypher through the rule of three, to learn the art >of a gunsmith and a good suit of freedom clothes. > >To be continued....#9 > >______________________________