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Folio sheet, folded to [4] pages, each page 8" x 12-1/2." Docketed on page [4]. Old folds, Very Good, This neat ink manuscript document had been previously written, with blank spaces for inserting the information appropriate for the particular court transaction. Signed by Minny Stone with her mark, and by Mr. and Mrs. Simms. With the written approval of the Probate Judge. The final entry on page 3 is the statement of Ignatius R. Simms, 11 October 1847, transferring "unto Dennis Rockwell all my right title and claim to the within named Indentured Servant." The parties [Ignatius, Rockwell, and Minny Stone] affirm by oath. Attested to by Matthew Stacy, Probate Justice, with his signatures. "State of Illinois "Morgan County "This Indenture made and Entered into this Ninth day of March One thousand Eight hundred and forty Six between Minney Stone of the County of Morgan A Coloured Minor who has neither father or mother personal or real Estate with the County or State aforesaid by and with the advise and approbation of the Probate Justice of the Peace, within and for said County of Morgan and State aforesaid acting as a Court of Probate, and which advise Consent & approval of Said Probate Justice of the Peace is testified by his endorsement thereof upon this Indenture under his Own hand and attesting the same by his Seal of Office of the first part and Ignatius R. Simms & Harriet Simms his wife of the County and State aforesaid of the Second part, Witnesseth that the said Minny Stone by and with the advise and consent of the Probate Justice as aforesaid doth hereby put place, and bind herself unto the said Ignatius R. Simms & Harriet Simms to dwell with and serve them or the Survivor of them as an apprentice until the said Minney Stone shall arrive at the age of Eighteen years-which will be on the 12th day of March One thousand Eight hundred and forty Eight 1848 during all which time the said Minny doth hereby agree and Covenant to and with the said Ignatius R. Simms & Harriet Simms that She will them faithfully serve and obey in all such lawfull business as she may be put unto by the said Ignatius R Simms or Harriet Simms according to the best of her skill wit and ability, and that honestly and obediently she will behave and conduct herself-towards the said Simms and towards the family of said Simms-And the Said Ignatius and the said Harriet On their part do Covenant and agree to and with said Minney Stone that during all the term said Minney Shall Serve them as herein Stipulated that they will allow and furnish unto the said Minney good and Sufficient food clothing, bedding and boarding and all other thing suitable for an apprentice both in sickness and in health, and that they will teach or cause the said Minney to be taught in all the mystery of A Cook and house servant and they the Ignatius and the said Harriet Simms further agree and bind themselves to give unto the said Minney at the expiration of her term of service, two new suits of Clothes suitable to her condition in life and the Season of the year and a New bible and they Further agree that whilst said Minney shall serve them as herein before stipulated that they will teach her to Read." Ignatius R. Simms [1783-1852] was born in Maryland and living in Charles County by 1805 when he married Salley Hanson Fowke. They had one child before her death in 1808. He married Harriet Middleton [1793-1851] the following year, and they went on to have eight children together. Simms was an early settler in Morgan County, Illinois, and had bought about 400 acres near Jacksonville around 1838. He owned and operated the Western House in Jacksonville, but was forced to sell the business in June, 1848, due to his hearing loss. ["Simms, Ignatius R.", PAPERS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, website of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, accessed October, 2025.] Matthew Stacy [1799-1885] was born in Virginia and moved to Morgan County, Illinois, in 1827, becoming one of its earliest settl.
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