Manuscript document. Morgan County, Illinois, 20 February 1857. 2 pages, folio, 7 7/8 x 12 3/4 in. Docketing to verso. 

A very rare and fascinating document recording the indenture of a young woman

The document records that "Mary Rose a coloured minor the age of nine years on the day of this inst. February AD 1857 by her Own free will and accord and by and with the consent of her mother Betsy Rose a Woman of Colour and only Surviving Parent" became an indentured apprentice to John. H. and Mary H. Dixon. 

The document reads in part, that Mary Rose must "learn the Order and business of housekeeping and domestic Economy, and to dwell with and serve them, or the Survivor of them untill the said Mary shall have attained the age of Eighteen Years to wit untill the first day of February AD One thousand Eight hundred Sixty six And the said Mary, On her part hereby agrees that during said term of Service, she will well and truly and faithfully serve the said John Dixon and wife or the Survivor of them keep their Secrets, and obey their lawful commands that She will do no hurt or damage to her said Master or Mistress in their goods Estate or otherwise...She will not contract Matrimony during said term, nor by day or night depart or absent herself from the Service of her said Master and Mistress without leave but will in all things demean and behave herself as a good and faithful apprentice to her said Master and Mistress during the said term."

It is further stipulated that "in Consideration of the Service aforesaid and of the Sum of One dollar to them in hand paid the Said John H. Dixon and Mary H. Dixon hereby agree and and bind themselves to instruct the said Mary in the art of good house keeping, cooking and plain Sewing, and also to find and allow unto her meat, drink, washing lodging and apparel both linen and wollen, and all other things necessary in sickness and in health, meet and Convenient for such an apprentice during the said term."

Illinois has a complicated history with slavery and indentured servitude, existing for much of its antebellum existence as a quasi-slave state. Beginning as a French colony, slavery was introduced to the territory, and French "Code Noir" laws were adopted. The 1787 Northwest Ordinance stated that there would be neither slavery nor indentured or involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, but the institution remained contentious. Even after statehood in 1818, loopholes were codified into law, often redressing enslavement with the formalities of indentured contracts, often for time periods measured in decades, some even exceeding 99 years. This was particularly relevant to the southern area of the state, flanked by slave states Kentucky and Missouri.

The document presents an interesting case where we can speculate that Mary Rose and her mother had few options after the evident death of the family patriarch. It is noted particularly that she entered into the indenture voluntarily, however, there are no clauses or stipulations that Mary Rose would earn a wage, equating the indenture to little more than slavery. 

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