This Indenture, made this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine Witnesseth that Azael Johnson a negro minor being now of the age of twenty years ten months and five days of his own free and voluntary will and accord and in the presence and with the approbation of Daniel Godwin and Molton Rickards Esquires two of the Justices of the peace of the county of Kent and the State of Delaware hath placed and bound and by these presents and  in the presence and with the approbation  of the Said Justices doth place and bind himself as an apprentice to Joseph G. Oliver Esquire of Milford in the County and State aforesaid his executors administrators and  assigns to learn the art trade or mystery of Manufacturing Black Oak Bark,  and to do and perform Such other work or Service as the said Joseph G. Oliver his executors administrators or assigns may or shall from time to time require, the said Azael Johnson after the manner of an apprentice and Servant to dwell with and Serve the Said Joseph G. Oliver his executors administrators and assigns from the day of the date hereof until the Second day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four at which time the said Azael if he should be living will be twenty five years ten months and five days old during all which time or term the said apprentice his said master well and faithfully shall Serve his secrets keep and his lawful commands every where at all times readily obey he shall do no damage to his Said master nor willfully suffer any to be done by others and if any to his knowledge shall be intended he shall give his said master reasonable notice thereof he shall not waste the goods of his Said master nor lend them unlawfully to any at card dice or any other unlawful game he shall not play fornication he shall not commit nor matrimony contract during this said term taverns or places of gaming he shall not frequent He Shall not get drunk or swear on any account from the Service of his said master he shall not absent himself but in all things and at all times he shall behave himself as a good and faithful apprentice and Servant ought to do during the whole time or term Aforesaid. And the Said Joseph G Oliver on his part doth hereby promise covenant and agree to teach and instruct the Said apprentice or cause him to be taught and instructed in the art or trade of Manufacturing black oak Bark by the best way or means he can and also shall well and faithfully find and provide for the said apprentice good and sufficient meat drink work clothing lodging and other necessaries fit and convenient for Such an apprentice during the term aforesaid and shall from and after the twenty Seventh day of August next ensuing the dat of this Indenture (at which time the Said apprentice will be twenty one years of age) give and pay unto the said Azael Johnson for his own proper use and benefit the Sum of two Dollars per month for each and everymonth in which the Said Azael Shall be engaged in the manufacture of black oak bark and at the expiration of the  time or term aforesaid Shall give unto the Said apprentice one Suit of wearing apparel Suitable for working Days.In testimony whereof the Said Azael Johnson and Joseph G. Oliver have Hereunto set their hands and Seals the day and year first hereinbefore Written. Azael Johnson his mark {seal}. Jos. G. Oliver {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence and with the approbation of us two of the Justices of the peace in and for Kent County and State of Delaware and we also subscribe this note in the presence of each other. Daniel Godwin M. Rickards

A true Copy recorded and compared with the original this 6th day of July A.D. 1829. Attest John W. Many Recdr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-891H-T?view=explore : Nov 27, 2025), image 349 of 418; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967958

Transcribed 27 Nov 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky