Farriers - length of apprenticeship

[Slipper]

My g g grandfather was born in 1822 and was described in the 1841 Census and subsequently as a Farrier.  I assume he would have served an apprenticeship and had thought that, at that time, it would have been for about 7 years.  Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks

Slipper

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Slipper,

THere are a couple of topics on Apprentices in the
RootsChat Reference => Lexicon ^{(click here)}

Both mention the 7 years, so it could be that this was the standard for most apprenticeships, with a few exceptions.

Apprentices usually began at ten to fifteen years of age, and would live in the master craftsman's household. Most apprentices aspired to becoming master craftsmen themselves on completion of their contract (usually a term of seven years), but some would spend time as a journeyman  and a significant proportion would never acquire their own workshop.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprenticeship


regards,
Bob

[stanmapstone]

This is an Example of an Ordinary Apprenticeship Indenture

This Indenture Witnesseth That John Smith son of  Thomas Smith of Carlton in the county of  Leicester, Weaver doth put himself Apprentice to John Brown of Carlton in the county of  Leicester aforesaid, Wool comber to learn his Art  and with him after the manner of an Apprentice to serve from the day of the date hereof unto the full end and Term of Seven Years from thence next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended, during which term the said Apprentice his Master faithfully shall and will serve, his secrets keep, his lawful commands every where gladly do, he shall do no Damage to his said Master,  nor see it to be done of others, but to his power shall let or forthwith give Notice to his said Master of the same. The goods of his said Master he shall not waste, nor the same without Licence of his to any give or lend. Hurt to his said Master he shall not do, cause, or procure to be done; he shall neither buy nor sell without his Masters Licence. Taverns, Inns, or Ale-houses he shall not haunt. At Cards, Dice, Tables, or any other unlawful Game, he shall not play. Nor from the Service of his said Master, Day nor Night absent him self, but in all Things as an honest and faithful Apprentice shall and will demean and behave himself toward his said Master and all his during the said Term. And the said John Brown the said Master the said Apprentice in the Art of a Wool comber which he now useth shall teach and instruct or cause to be taught and instructed the best way and Manner that he can, finding and allowing unto his said Apprentice sufficient Meat, Drink, Washing, Lodging and al other Necessaries during the said Term of Seven Years and the said Thomas Smith shall find and provide for his said son the said apprentice all manner of wearing apparel linens and woollens Hats and shoes  during the term of his apprenticeship.
And for the true Performance of all and every the Covenants and Agreements aforesaid either of the said Parties bindeth themselves firmly by these Presents. In Witness whereof the parties abovesaid to these Indentures interchangeably have set there Hands and Seals the Third Day of  March in the Second  Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith; and in the year of our Lord 1769.


Stan

[Slipper]

Bob and Stan

Thanks very much for the information.  Its very interesting and has helped a lot.

Slipper