Indenture

An agreement between Maria Rye, Henry Pafford, and Robert N. Ball of the first part, Ann Barton of the second part, and John William of the third part. This document provides a description of the general care provided by Maria Rye at the "Western Home" for orphan girls in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Transcription is as follows:

Intenture
This Indenture made and entered into the first day of August A.D. 1870 between Maria S. Rye, Henry Paffard, Esq., J.P., Mayor, Robert N. Ball, Esq., J.P., all of Niagara, of the first part; Ann Barton a minor orphan of the age of thirteen years, of the second part, now under the charge and control of the parties of the first part, and John William Ball Snr. of Niagara, of the third part, witnessed that, whereas the said Maria S. Rye, an English Lady, now residing in the Dominion of Canada, has under her charge a number of orphan children, brought from England by her, for the purpose of finding for the, homes, and which said orphans she desires - conjointly with Henry Paffard and Robert N. Ball, Esq's, whom she has appointed guardians of the children aforesaid with herself - to bind out and apprentice, until they shall attain the age of eighteen years, and of whom Anne Barton the party hereto of the second part is one.
Now this indenture witnessed that the said parties of the first part, in consideration of the covenants and agreements hereinafter contained on the part of the parties of the third part, and by and with the full consent of the party hereto of the second part, doth by these presents put and bind out as an apprentice the said minor orphan Ann Barton the party hereto the second part, to live with and serve him, the said party hereto of the third part, for and during and onto the full end of the term of five years, fully to be completed and ended on the first day of August, A.D. 1875 during all which period the party hereto of the second part shall well, truly, and faithfully serve the said party hereto of the third part, as such help or servant, and shall obey all his lawfyl and reasonable commands, and that she will do no damage to her said master in his goods estate or otherwise, nor willingly suffer any to be done by others, and that she will not, during the said period, absent herself at any time from the service of her said master, without his consent first obtained; but in all things, as a good and faithful servant and apprentice, shall well demean and conduct herself to her said master.
And the party hereto of the third part in consideration of these premises, promises for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, and does hereby covenant and agree with the parties hereto of the first and second parts and with each of them, to teach and instruct the said party hereto of the second part, the said Ann Barton in the knowledge of books, so far as to give her a plain English education, or to cause the same to be done, and to teach and in instruct, or cause to be taught an instructed, the said Ann Barton in the arts and duties of housewifery and the use of the needle, and such other duties as may be necessary to qualify her to obtain a livelihood for herself, when the period of her apprenticeship shall have ended, and to pay due attention to her moral and spiritual culture, and afford her the opportunity to use his authority to induce her to attend some Sunday School and place of public worship, where the doctrines of Christianity, as held by the Protestant denominations, are taught; and that he will furnish and provide suitable and proper meat, food, and clothing, both woolen and linen; and in case of sickness, with medical attendance and medicines, and all other necessities, except that when the said Ann Barton shall have attained the age of fifteen years, in lieu of clothing he shall pay her wages at the rate of three dollars per Calendar month until she shall have attained the age of seventeen years; and from that time until the expiration of the period of service hereinbefore mentioned she shall pay her wages at the rate of four dollars per Calendar month.
In witness whereof the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.