Mexborough and Swinton Times October 13, 1917
Potters Printer
How an Apprentice was bound 100 years ago
A Rockingham Reminiscence
Mr Fred Liversedge, Swinton, has courteously permitted us to inspect and reproduce an interesting family document – the indenture under which is father, the late Mr George Liversedge was 98 years ago bound to Thomas Brameld, the famous manager of the Rockingham pottery, to serve as apprenticeship the craft Potters printer.
The document is interesting, not only because it is a relic, and reminiscent of at one time flourishing an eminent local industry, but because of the quaintness of the terms in which it is drafted:
This indenture was made the ninth day of August in the 59th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, George the third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, defender of the faith in the year of our Lord 1819
Between James Liversedge of Rawmarsh in the West Riding of the County of York, labourer and George Liversedge, is son, a minor, of the one part and Thomas Brameld of Swinton in the said riding, manufacturer of earthenware, of the other part;
Witnesseth that the said George Liversedge it has of his own free will and with the consent of the said James Liversedge, his father, put and bound himself apprenticed to and with the said Thomas Brameld, and with him after the manner of an Apprentice to Dwell, Remain and Serve from the 23rd day of March in the year of our Lord 1816, for during, and until the term of seven years thence, next Following he fully Completed and Ended. During all which term the said apprentice, his said master will and faithfully shall serve, whose Secret shall keep, his lawful Commands shall do, fornication or adultery shall not commit; Hurt or damage to said Master shall not do, or consent to be done, but to his Power shall let it, and forthwith he said Master thereof shall Warn: Taverns or Ale houses he shall not Haunt or frequent, unless it be about his masters business there to be done: at Dice, Cards, Tables, Bowls or any other unlawful games he shall not Play: the Goods of his Master shall not waste nor them Lend or gift to any person without his Masters Licence: Matrimony within the said term shall not Contract, nor from his Master service at any time absent himself, but as a True and Faithful apprentice shall order and behave himself towards the said master and all, as well in words as in Deeds during the said Term: and a true and just account of all the said Masters Goods, Chattels and money committed to his Charge, which shall come into his hands, faithfully shall give at all Times when there until required by said Master, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns and the said James Liversedge for himself his heirs, Executors and Administrators each and every of them doth, covenant – “passage illegible” – said George Liversedge during all the aforesaid Term of seven Years shall truly diligently and faithfully serve the said Thomas Brameld as his Apprentice (unless he be let or hindered by sickness) and all the aforesaid Term shall demean and behave himself as an Apprentice ought to do to his Master, and shall not at any time during the Term aforesaid absent himself from the service of his said master without the Licence and Consent of the said Thomas Brameld, his Heirs, Executors or Assigns for that purpose first had and obtained
And also that he the said James Liversedge, is Executors or Administrators shall and will during all the said term of seven years find and provide for the said George Liversedge enough of Meat, Drink, Washing, Lodging and Apparel and all other necessaries meet and convenient for such an Apprentice as well in sickness as in health.
And the said Thomas Brameld for himself, is Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, doth Covenant, promise and grant by these presents to and with the said Apprentice that he the said Thomas Bramall his Executors, Administrators or Assigns shall and will Teach, Learn and inform the said Apprentice or cause him to be taught, learnt and informed in the Trade, Mystery or business of a Potter called a Printer on earthenware, which the said Master now useth, after the the best Manner of Knowledge that he or they may are can, with all CIrcumstances thereunto belonging:
And also, for the considerations aforesaid the said Thomas Brameld, for himself his Heirs, Executors and Administrators and for each and everyone of them, doth further covenant and promise and agree to and with the said James Liversedge, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns by these presents that he the said Thomas Brameld his Executors are Administrators shall and will doing the said terms of seven years pay or cause to be paid in to the said James Liversedge his Executors or Administrators or unto the said George Liversedge, the several sums of money following (that is to say):
As for and during the first Year of the said Term the Sum of two shillings and sixpence per week, for each Week which the said George Liversedge shall well and faithfully have worked for the said Master, his Executors, Administrators Partners or Assigns as aforesaid, and not otherwise; for an during the second year of such is Apprentice, the sum of Three Shillings per week; for and during the third year of such is Apprenticeship, the sum of three shillings and sixpence per week; for an during the fourth year of such is Apprenticeship the sum of four shillings per week; for and during the fifth year of such is apprenticeship the sum of four shillings and sixpence a week; for and during the sixth year of such Apprenticeship the sum of five shillings per week; for and during the seventh year of his apprenticeship the sum of six shillings per week: all which weekly payments to be made on the Saturday in each of those weeks which the said George Liversedge shall faithfully have worked for the said Thomas Brameld, his Executors, Administrators, Partners or Assigns, as aforesaid and also shall and will pay or cause to be paid into the said George Kaplan message, yearly during the said term the sum of 18p, the first of such payment to be made upon the 23rd day of March next ensuing.
And for the true performance of All and Singular the Covenants and Agreements Aforesaid each of the Parties aforesaid to find himself in to the other firmly by these Presents. In witness whereof the Parties above-named to these Present Indentures interchangeably as set their Hands and Sales a day and year above written
Sealed and Delivered
(being first duly stamped)
James Liversedge
George Liversedge
Thomas Brameld
in the presence of
George Robinson
John Hulme
The document is endorsed on the back with the following note:
“Given up to George Liversedge, 24th of March 1823, with a present of 5/- in proof of his good conduct duringh his apprenticeship
Thomas Brameld