This is an extract from an the Indenture of William Kirkman, dated 22 October 1763. The writing in Bold Italics was handwritten the rest was printed:
This Indenture Made the Twenty second Day of October in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and sixty three
BETWEEN James Greenhalgh Churchwarden and James Rosland James Ridgeway the younger overseers of the poor of Bolton in the moors in the County of Lancaster of the one part and James Kirkman of Bolton aforesaid Laddow weaver of the other part
WITNESSETH that the Said Church -Wardens and Overseers, by and with the Consent and Allowance of Two of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace (One of the Quorum) of and for the said County of Lancaster have put, placed, and bound and by these Presents do put, place, and bind William Kirkman aged Twelve years and upward
Who is a poor Male Child as an Apprentice to the said James Kirkman with him to co-habit and dwell after the Manner of an Apprentice until he shall attain the age of Twenty four according to the statute in that case made during all which Time his said Master he shall faithfully Serve, his Secrets keep, his lawful Commands obey; at Cards, Dice, or any other unlawful Games he shall not Play, or Exercise himself therein; Ale Houses, Taverns, or evil Company he shall not frequent. Fornication or Adultery he shall not commit, nor Matrimony contract during the said Term, neither shall he Consume, Waste, or lend the goods of his said Master to any one without his Knowledge and Consent: DAMAGE he shall not do to his said Master or suffer the same to be done by Others, but shall endeavour to prevent the same, and give Notice thereof to his said Master. Neither shall he absent himself from the service of his said Master by Day or Night, during the whole Term of his Apprenticeship, but in all Things behave himself to his said Master and all his Family as becometh a faithful Apprentice during the said Term
IN CONSIDERATION whereof, and of the sum of Thirty shillings of lawful British money By the said Churchwarden and Overseers of the poor To the said James Kirkman be ??? well and truly paid by ??? before the Execution hereof the receit whereof he the said James Kirkman doth hereby ???? and acknowledge and thereof another ? from doth acquitt Release and Discharge the said Churchwarden and overseers of the poor their Exors Admors and Sucessors in the said Offices
The said James Kirkman doth for himself, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, Covenant, Promise, and Grant, to the said Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor, and their Successors, that the said James Kirkman his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, or some of them shall and will Teach and Instruct the said William Kirkman or cause him to be well Taught or Instructed in the Trade or Occupation of a Laddow or Counterpane weaver and find and provide for him all Manner of Apparel, and wholesome sufficient Meat, Drink, Washing and Lodging, during the said Term and at the end thereof shall and will give unto the said Apprentice one good new suit of Cloaths fit to be worn on Hollidays and his old ones for working days and Lastly shall and will give and pay unto the said Apprentice the sum of one shilling every Christmas day yearly during the said Term. In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereinto Interchangeably set their Names and seals the day and year first above written the paper being first duly stamped in the presence of
Peter Smith,
John Walmisly Jun.
We, whose Names are subscribed, two of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace (Quorum Unus) in and for the County of Lancaster aforesaid do consent to the putting forth the above named William Kirkman Apprentice, according to the Intent and Meaning of the Indenture above written
S Whitehead
J Bradshaw
Received the day and year first above written of and from the above named Churchwarden and Overseer of the poor the aforementioned sum of Thirty shillings being the Consideration above acoutioned to be paid by thou to me I say recd by me James Kirkman
Witness
Peter Smith
John Walmisley Jun
The document was signed (and sealed) by James Greenhalgh, James Best, James Ridgway Jun, James Kirkman and William Kirkman made his mark