Apprenticeship Indenture For William Crocker, 1723
1 DETAILS OF APPRENTICE
“William Crocker son of George Crocker late of Westm[inste]r Gent[leman] Dec[ease]d” – does George Crocker’s death mean that William is now an orphan?
2 PARTICULARS OF MASTER
“David Forrester Gunner of the in the Service of the East India Company”.
3 TERM OF APPRENTICESHIP
William’s apprenticeship will last for seven years.
4 CONDITIONS OF THE APPRENTICESHIP
This section details what is expected of William: “the said Apprentice his said M[aste]r faithfully shall and will serve his secrets keep, his lawful Commandments every where gladly do…”.
5 PROHIBITIONS
Many activities are listed, including haunting “Taverns, Inns or Ale-houses” and gambling. William is also not allowed to “Commit Fornication nor Contract Matrimony”.
6 PREMIUM
David Forrester received “Twenty pounds… out of Sir Philip Warwicks Gift by the Ch[urch] W[ar]dens of St Mary West[minster]” – the parish officials are acting in loco here.
7 THE SKILLS BEING TAUGHT
He will learn “the Art of Gunnery Navigation & plain sailing” during his apprenticeship.
8 START DATE
The apprenticeship began when the indenture was signed: 13 December 1723.