"Jemmy's Indenture"

Nov. 9, 1740

Text from the Digitized Text at the Benjamin Franklin Papers.

In 1740, Benjamin Franklin took on as an apprentice James Franklin, Jr. (the son of Benjamin's older brother, James). Jemmy (as he was called) was ten years old at the time he signed this agreement.

This Indenture Witnesseth, That James Franklin late of Newport in Rhodeisland, but now of Philadelphia in Pennsilvania Hath put himself, and by these Presents, doth voluntarily, and of his own free Will and Accord, put himself Apprentice to Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia, Printer to learn his Art, Trade, and Mystery, and after the Manner of an Apprentice to serve the said Benjamin Franklin from the Day of the Date hereof, for, and during, and unto the full End and Term of Seven Years next ensuing. During all which Term, the said Apprentice his said Master faithfully shall serve, his Secrets keep, his lawful Commands everywhere readily obey. He shall do no Damage to his said Master, nor see it to be done by others without letting or giving Notice thereof to his said Master. He shall not waste his said Master's Goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any. He shall not commit Fornication, nor contract Matrimony within the said Term. At Cards, Dice, or any other unlawful Game, he shall not play, whereby his said Master may have Damage. With his own Goods, nor the Goods of others, without Licence from his said Master, he shall neither buy nor sell. He shall not absent himself Day nor Night from his said Master's Service, without his Leave: Nor haunt Ale-houses, Taverns, or Play-houses; but in all Things behave himself as a faithful Apprentice ought to do, during the said Term. And the said Master shall use the utmost of his Endeavour to teach or cause to be taught or instructed the said Apprentice in the Trade or Mystery of Printing and procure and provide for him sufficient Meat, Drink, Cloaths Lodging and Washing fitting for an Apprentice, during the said Term of Seven Years, and at the Expiration thereof shall give him one good new Suit of Cloaths, besides his common Apparel And for the true Performance of all and singular the Covenants and Agreements aforesaid, the said Parties bind themselves each unto the other firmly by these Presents. In Witness whereof, the said Parties have interchangeably set their Hands and Seals hereunto. Dated the Fifth Day of November in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second King of Great-Britain, &c. Annoque Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty.

James Franklin
Sealed and delivered in
the Presence of us

Christopher Thompson
Richard Verguson [sic]

Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office, near the Market

Endorsed: Jemmy's Indenture