James Parker first appears in the early records of
Ninety-six District (Laurens County), South Carolina in the following
indenture:Oct. 20th day 1785
State of South Carolina
Laurens County
This indenture (--------) Witnesseth James Parker son of Cathrean Allison
Doth Put himself apprentice to Thomas Cunningham Sadler to learn his Art
or Mistry and with him after the manner of an apprentice to serve from the
Day of the Date hereof, for and During the Term of seven years Ten Months
Next Ensuing During all which Term the said apprentice his said Master
faithfully shall serve his secrets keep and all his lawfull Commands every
where Gladly Do, he shall Do no Damage to his said Master nor see it to be
Done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to his said Master
he shall not waste his said Master's Goods no lend them unlawfully to any.
he shall not commit fornication nor contract Matrimony Dureing the said
term he shall not play at cards Dice or any other unlawfull Game, whereby
his said Master may be Damaged with his own Goods or the goods of others
he shall not Absent himself Day nor Night from his said Masters service
unlawfully nor Haunt ale houses Taverns or Play Houses but in all things
Behave himself as a faithfull apprentice in the Trade or Mistry he now
followeth, and the said Master shall procure & provide for him sufficient
Meat Drink Apparrel Logding Working and all other Nesesaries During the
said Term. & for the True performance of all & every the said
Covenants & Agreements Either of the P. Parties bindeth himself to the
other firmly by these presents In Witness Whereof they have
Interchaingably set their hands & seals Hereunto this 23 Day of August in
the year of our Lord 1785.
B. the said Master is to give the said apprentice a (----) of Good Home
Spun or Broad Cloath (---) at the Term of his freedom, as allso Twelve
Months Schooling. Assented to By Cathrean Allison.
Thomas Cuningham (LS)
James Parker (LS)
Test Jonathan Downs
James in not listed as a head of household in the
1790 U.S. census, Ninety-six District (Laurens County), South Carolina.
He may be enumerated as one of the "Free white males of 16 years and
upward..." in either Thomas Cunningham's household, or in the household of
his brother, Thomas Parker.
The indenture to Thomas Cunningham may have been
broken before the end of it's seven year term, as the following document
may have been cause for it's termination:
28th Nov 1791
October the 22, day 1791 Laurens County Ninety-six District
This is to certify that I James Parker does hereby acknowledge, that I
have Rongly acqused Hannah Elliott Thomas Elliott Juniors wife in saying
that I had been Great with her - Given under my hand
Signed James Parker
Witness present
Benjamin Williams
Thomas Parker
State of South Carolina
Laurens County
Earlier that same year, Thomas had deeded all of his
property and worldly belongings to James. (The deed is transcribed
on Thomas' page.)
|