Can anyone tell me what precisely the term "bound out" meant, as in to bind someone over to another in the 1700s? I have a rough idea of what it is, but I am in the dark about many specifics regarding why and how this process was conducted. I have seen one example where a young man who had lost his father was bound over to another to learn a trade, but this seemed to be a remedy for maltreatment by his step-father. Here is the particular example I am currently working with: Campbell Co, VA Order Book 1, p. 243 October 1783 --"Ordered that the Church Wardens of Russell Parish bind out George Cohorn (who was formerly bound to Alexander Dobbins) to Christopher Griffith. . ." And at what age might this arrangement be expected to be terminated? Thanks, Bob Foster