Indentured Servant of Christian Eby

A donation in 2021 came to the History Center,
and it was such an interesting donation and
document that we wanted to share it.

THIS INDENTURE
Made the twenty eight Day of December Anno
Domini one thousand eight seven hundred and
ninety one – WITNESSETH, that Peter
Heneberger by and with Consent of his father
Peter Heneberger as it appears by his signing
thereto – hath put himself, and by these
Presents doth voluntarily and of his own free
Will and Accord put himself Apprentice to
Christian Eby of the town of Manheim in the
County of Lancaster Clockmaker with him after
the Manner of an Apprentice to serve from the
Sixteenth Day of November last past till the
Term of Four Years be completed and ended.
During all which Term the said Apprentice his
said Master faithfully shall serve, his Secrets
keep, his Lawful Commands everywhere gladly
obey. He shall not do Damage to his said
Master, not suffer it be to be done by others,
without letting or giving notice thereof to his
said Master. He shall not waste his Masters
Goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any. He
shall not commit Fornication, nor contract
matrimony within the said term; at Cards, Dice
or any other unlawful Game he shall not play,
whereby his said Master may have Damage.
With his own Goods, nor the Goods of others,
during the said Term without Licence from his
said Master, he shall neither buy nor sell. He
shall not absent himself Day or Night from his said Masters Service without Leave, nor haunt Ale-houses,
Taverns and Play-houses; but in all Things as a faithful Apprentice shall he behave himself towards his
said Master & all his during the said Term. And the said Master, during the said Term shall by the best
Means or Methods he can, teach and cause to be taught, the said Apprentice the Art & Mystery of a
Clockmaker.
And also provide for the said Apprentice sufficient Meat, Drink, apparel, Lodging and Washing fitting for
an Apprentice and the said master shall allow said apprentice to go to Night School every Winter during
said four years, one month. And allow said apprentice to work at the trade every year for himself at least
so much as he could earn if he had prevelage to go every year – six days harvesting. And at the
expiration of the term aforesaid the said Master shall pay onto the said apprentice ten pounds
Pennsylvania currency as his freedom of the performance of all and singular the said convenance and
agreements either of the said parties bind themselves unto the other by these presents.
Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of
Sam Grossinger Christian Eby (L.S.)
Peter ———-
Done and acknowledged the twenty-ninth day of December 1801.
Coram me
Sam Grossinger Justice of Lancaster County