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.)
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