Apprenticeship indenture aged 7 ?

[Helen Henderson]

Hope someone can put my mind at rest that I have the correct family and information. My Garmstons hail from Myddle in Shropshire and I am in the process of trying to get back a further generation.

Yesterday I had a very fruitful day at Shropshire Archives including finding an Indenture for William Garmston, Father Robert Garmston dated 1724, apprenticing William, to William Hampton of Ruyton as a blacksmiths apprentice until the age of 21. My concern is that the only William that fits the bill was born in 1717 which makes him only seven when he was apprenticed!

Has anyone else come accross this scenario before? The apprenticeship was arranged by the local vicar and the Parish presumably they had concerns that the family could become a burden on the parish.

As an aside, this family seems very active in the parish records, Robert having a bastardy bond filed for a child with another woman other than his wife. In addition two other sons of Robert, Thomas and Robert jnr have a joint bastardy bond for the same child - I haven't quite figured out how I am going to put that in FTM:o

Thomas didn't learn his lesson however as there is a bond for a second child by the same woman dated at the same time as his marriage to another girl who was also pregnant. This time he was charged more than double the previous bond presumably as a deterrant! It must have worked as there are no more bonds filed:D

[scuda]

My concern is that the only William that fits the bill was born in 1717 which makes him only seven when he was apprenticed!

Do you know that he was born in 1717, or is that when he was baptised? He could have been born years before his baptism.

scuda

[Little Nell]

Apprenticeships could begin young. Oliver Twist (fictional, but based on reality) was 9 when apprenticed to the undertaker Sowerberry.

I haven't found any apprenticeships that started before 12, but I'm sure other peeps will be able to help you.

[Olde Crone Holden]

Paupers' apprenticeships often started at 7 years old and lasted for 14 years, rather thanthe normal seven, so I would be quite happy with what you have found.

OC

[Helen Henderson]

Thanks everyone for your input. Unfortunately his baptism in 1717 doesn't give his age but as his parents were only married a couple of years earlier then I feel safe in presuming he is an infant. It is likely that its a pauper apprenticeship so you have put my mind at rest OC.