Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-10-24
A RARE OLD DOCUMENT.


the most interesting of which is a
contract made in July, 1867, be-
tween Robert Case, 'Bricklayor,
LabOurer," and William Miller,
Mariner" in which Case con-
tracts to work for Miller for
period of four years in the Plan
tation of Maryland beyond the
seas. The contract is written
upon pure linen paper, and is re-
markably we'll preserved. The
letter -" as in all old documents,
is used in place of IS" Changing
these letters, the contract reads as
follows:
This indenture, Made the twen-
tieth Day of July, in the seventh
Year of the Reign of our Sow
ercign Lord George the third, King
of Great Britain, &c. And in the
Year of Our Lord One Thousand
Seven hundred and sixty seven
Between Robert Case soninlaw of
Thomas Fisher of little Old Bailey.
London, Bricklayor, Labourer. by
and with the consent of his said
father in Law, testifyed by his
attestlng the execution hereof, Of
the one Part, and William Miller
of London aforesaid, Mariner, of
the other part, Witnesseth, That
the said Robert Case for the con-
sideration hereinafter mentioned.
hath, and by these Presents doth
Covenant, Grant and Agree TO.
and with the said William Miller.
his Executors. and Assigns That
he the said Robert Case shall and
will, as faithful Covenant Ser
want, we'll and truly serve William
Miller, his Executors, or Assigns
In the Plantation of Maryland be-
yond the Seas, for a space of four
Years, next ensuring his Arrival
in said Plantation, in the employ
ment of a Servant. And the said
Robert Case doth hereby Covenant
and declare himself, now to be of
the Age of eighteen Years and no
Covenant or Contracted Servant to
any other Person or Persons. And
the said William Miller, for him
self, his Executors or Assigns, in
Consideration thereof do hereby
Covenant, Promise and Agree to
and with the said Robert Case, his
Executors and Assigns. that he the
said William Miller, his Executors
or Assigns, shall and will at his or
theirOwnproper Costs and Charges,
with what convenient Speed they
may, carry and convey, or cause
TO be carried or conveyed over unto
the said Plantation the said Robert
Case and from henceforth, and
during the said Voyage, and also
during the said Term, shall and
will at the like Costs and Charges.
provide for and allow the said
Robert Case all necessary Cloaths.
Meat, Drink, Washing, and Lodg-
ing, fit and convenient for him as
Covenant Servants in such Cases
are usuallyprovided for and allowed
And for the true Performance
of the Premises, the said Parties.
to these Presents bind themselves
their Executors and Administra-
tors, the either to the other, in the
Penal Sum of thirty Pounds Ster-
ling, firmly by these Presents. In
witness whereof, they have here
unto interchangeable set their
Hands and Seals, the Day and Year
above written.
Robert Case.
Sealed and Delivered in the
presence of Thomas Fisher, VIM.
Cattinjon, James Gadoron.
These are to certify, That the
above-named Robert Case came
before Me, Henry Thames, Deputy
to the Patentee, at Gravesend. the
Day and Year above-written. and
declared himself to be no Covenant
nor Contracted Servant to any Per-
son or Persons, to be of the Ace of
eighteenth Years, not Kidnapped
or Inticed, but DESTROYS to serve
the above-named William Miller or
his assigns four Years, according
TO the Tenorofthe Indenture above
written. All which is Registered
in the Office for that Purpose, APP
pointed by the Letters Patents.
In Witness whereof / have here
unto affixed the common Seal of
the said Office.
Hen. Thames, ID. P"
On the reverse side Of the paper !
William Miller, the Mariner, has
made the following assignment:
Il hereby assign the within IN