Indenture - Between John Holman & Sons and Frederick Lee Mallett 1868

With Letter of Reference, 1876

Provided by Mike Mallett <mm-lists AT ntlworld.com>

[The original document is held by the Mallett family]

Indenture between John Holman and Sons of Topsham Ship Builders and Frederick Lee Mallett 1868

Devon 2.4.68

This indenture made the Fifth day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Eight between Frederick Lee Mallett aged Fourteen years of Topsham in the County of Devon of the First part and John Holman and Sons of Topsham Ship Builders of the Second Part

Witnesseth that the said Frederick Lee Mallett of his own free will testified by his executing these presents has put placed and bound himself an Apprentice to the said John Holman and Sons in the Trade and Business of a Shipwright from the day of the date hereof for and during to the full end and term of Seven Years Hence next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended during all which time the said Frederick Lee Mallett shall and will faithfully and diligently serve the said John Holman and Sons in the said Trade and Business "their secrets keep" their lawful commands at all times obey and perform hurt or damage to them he shall not do, commit do consent or suffer it to be done by others and shall not nor will not depart or absent himself from the service of his said Masters from Six O Clock in the Morning until Six O Clock in the Evening in each and every year during the said Term but upon all and every occasion at Tide Times and at other times either by night or by day when required shall and will obey all and every the reasonable commands of his said Masters and their Foremen and Workmen and all things as becomes a honest, faithful and diligent apprentice shall behave and demean himself during the said Term and for the consideration of the sum of One Shilling per week being paid to the said Frederick Lee Mallett by the said John Holman and Sons his said Masters during the First Year Two Shillings per Week the Second Year Three Shillings per Week the Third Year
Four Shillings per Week the Fourth Year Five Shillings per Week the Fifth Year Six Shillings per Week the Sixth Year and Seven Shillings per Week during the Seventh and last Year of his apprenticeship and in the same proportion of wages as aforesaid for Tide Time and overtime and in consideration also that will the said John Holman and Sons do provide the said Frederick Lee Mallett with working Tools suitable and proper to be used by him in and about the said Trade and Business and shall will teach and instruct or cause the said Frederick Lee Mallett to be well and efficiently taught and instructed in the Business of a Shipwright in and by the best and most approved method that they the said John Holman and Sons now or shall at any time hereafter be enabled during the said Term.

Provided nevertheless and it is hereby declared and agreed by and between the parties hereto that in case of the aforesaid Frederick Lee Mallett at anytime hereafter during the said Term be absent from the service and employ of the said John Holman and Sons on account of Sickness or from any cause whatsoever except at the times hereinbefore mentioned then the said John Holman and Sons shall and may deduct from the weekly wages to be paid the said Frederick Lee Mallett for all the time and times which the said Frederick Lee Mallett shall not be working for the said John Holman and Sons in proportion to and at the rate of the weekly sum which the said apprentice shall for the time being be entitled to receive as aforesaid.

In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals this Fifth day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Eight

Signed Sealed and delivered being first duly Stamped by the above Frederick Lee Mallett and John Holman and Sons in the presence of

Samuel Mallett
Frederick Lee Mallett
John Holman and Sons
William John ...more [?]

Frederick Lee Mallett has served his apprenticeship to our satisfaction
We recommend him as a good workman and is Sober Honest and Industrious

J H & Sons

Letter of reference

John Holman and Sons of Topsham Ship Builders
Topsham
Mar 6th 1876

This is to certify Fredk. Lee Mallett served us as an apprentice for seven years during which time he was well conducted sober, honest and industrious and added to this he was a very good work man and we have much pleasure in recommending him to the Dockyard Authorities and believe they will have in him a first class man

John Holman and Sons

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