Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 2.djvu/416

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in employing the tradesmen who were to be obtained in the Colony.^[1]

The indentures which the planters and these imported mechanics entered into doubtless differed from each other in some details, although substantially alike. The agreement by which the services of Gerrard Hawthorne were secured was probably a typical one in its principal features. Hawthorne bound himself by covenant to serve Thomas Vause in Virginia for a period of three years, in consideration of which Vause agreed to pay the charges for the transportation of Hawthorne to the Colony, and to allow him after his arrival there sufficient food, lodging, and clothing; to provide him with tools for working in the combined trades of carpenter, joiner, and cooper; and at no time to make an assignment of him to other persons without his own consent. On the expiration of his term, Vause was required to make over to him a full title to the bedding, furniture, and tools which had been in his use in the course of his service, and also to convey to him a tract of land equal to fifty acres in area. Moreover, for the length of twelve months succeeding the close of his period of service, Vause agreed to continue to supply Hawthorne with food, shelter, apparel, and all other necessaries.^[2] The

↑ Letters of William Fitzhugh, June 7, 1681. In 1673, a carpenter, who was under articles of indenture to Samuel Trevillian of York County, was valued at eighteen pounds sterling. See Records of York County, vol. 1671-1694, p. 59, Va. State Library.
↑ Records of York County, vol. 1638-1648, p. 366, Va. State Library. The length of the terms for which these imported mechanics were engaged varied widely in different cases. John Graves of Brackley, Northamptonshire, entered into a contract with Richard Kitchener of York County for four years only. At the end of that time, he was to own his working tools. Graves was forty years of age. See Ibid., vol. 1694-1702, p. 238, Va. State Library. William Birch of London bound himself to Mr. Edward Wyrly of the same city, with a view to his transportation to Virginia, for seven years. See Ibid., vol. 1657-1662, p. 356, Va. State Library.

[1] Letters of William Fitzhugh, June 7, 1681. In 1673, a carpenter, who was under articles of indenture to Samuel Trevillian of York County, was valued at eighteen pounds sterling. See Records of York County, vol. 1671-1694, p. 59, Va. State Library.

[2] Records of York County, vol. 1638-1648, p. 366, Va. State Library. The length of the terms for which these imported mechanics were engaged varied widely in different cases. John Graves of Brackley, Northamptonshire, entered into a contract with Richard Kitchener of York County for four years only. At the end of that time, he was to own his working tools. Graves was forty years of age. See Ibid., vol. 1694-1702, p. 238, Va. State Library. William Birch of London bound himself to Mr. Edward Wyrly of the same city, with a view to his transportation to Virginia, for seven years. See Ibid., vol. 1657-1662, p. 356, Va. State Library.

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