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Old Virginia and Her Neighbours, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Note 235 — Chapter XIV · SOCIETY IN THE OLD DOMINION. (continued 2)

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President Tyler cites from the vestry-book of Petsworth Parish, in Gloucester County, an indenture of October 30, 1716, wherein Ralph Bevis agrees to “give George Petsworth, a molattoe boy of the age of 2 years, 3 years’ schooling, and carefully to Instruct him afterwards that he may read well in any part of the Bible, also to Instruct and Learn him ye sd molattoe boy such Lawfull way or ways that he may be able, after his Indented time expired, to gitt his own Liveing, and to allow him sufficient meat, Drink, washing, and apparill, until the expiration of ye sd time, &c., and after ye finishing of ye sd time to pay ye sd George Petsworth all such allowances as ye Law Directs in such cases, as also to keep the aforesd Parish Dureing ye aforesd Indented time from all manner of Charges,” etc. William and Mary College Quarterly, v. 219.

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