From her master's Service She Shall not at any time unlawfully absent
herself. But in all things as a good honest and faithful Servant and
apprentice Shall bear and behave herself, During the full term
afores:d Commencing from the third day of November Anno Dom: One
Thousand, Seven Hundred fifty and three. And the s:d Master for
himself, wife, and Heir's, Doth Covenant Promise Grant and Agree unto
and with the s:d apprentice and the s:d Margaret Burjust, in manner
and form following. That is to say, That they will teach the s:d
apprentice or Cause her to be taught in the Art of good housewifery,
and also to read and write well. And will find and provide for and
give unto s:d apprentice good and sufficient Meat Drink washing and
lodging both in Sickness and in health, and at the Expiration of S:d
term to Dismiss s:d apprentice with two Good Suits of Apparrel both
of woolen and linnin for all parts of her body (viz) One for
Lord-days and one for working days Suitable to her Quality. In
Testimony whereof I Samuel Wales and Margaret Burjust Have
Interchangably Sett their hands and Seals this Third day November
Anno Dom: 1753, and in the twenty Seventh year of the Reign of our
Soveraig'n Lord George the Second of great Britain the King.
Signed Sealed & Delivered.
In presence of
Sam Vaughan Margaret Burgis
Mary Vaughan her X mark."

This quaint document was carefully locked up, with some old deeds and
other valuable papers, in his desk, by the "s:d Samuel Wales," one
hundred and thirty years ago. The desk was a rude, unpainted pine
affair, and it reared itself on its four stilt-like legs in a corner
of his kitchen, in his house in the South Precinct of Braintree. The
sharp eyes of the little "s:d apprentice" had noted it oftener and