What date was this CREW AGREEMENT written?

[Chris Anderson]

I need to know the precise date so I can match up the age of my ancestor

But there are several dates on the document -
Date of Commence - 1st July 1842
Date of Ending - Dec 31st 1842
Date of ancestor joining ship - Aug 5th 1842
Date of ancestor leaving ship - Nov 9th 1842
Date of signature - 22nd Feb 1843

[medpat]

I'd take the first date as the start of the agreement, perhaps 31 December as the end of the agreement and totally signed off as finished on Feb 1843 (in case there was problems such as pay).   

[seaweed]

The document is a Half-Yearly Agreement and Account of Voyages and Crew of a Ship engaged in the Home Trade (Coastal and near Continent)
 It contains information on the particulars of engagement and discharge for a six-month period, for multiple voyages.
In this case regular sailings July to December, between Sunderland and London. Probably engaged in the East Coast coal trade.
You will note that the first sailing commenced 5th/Aug/1842 a full month or more after 1/July.
No doubt the ship was at sea until late July/early August, hence the overlap.
Likewise the date of signature, 22/Feb/1843. This date would be the date the Crew Agreement was given up to the port authority.
It looks as if your ancestor was a regular Mate on this vessel. seems he signed on and off on the same day (9/Sept/1842) for whatever reason.
His age as recorded, would be the information he gave when signing on. Be aware that Merchant Seamen regularly lied about their age.