This Indenture made the Twentieth day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Two, Between William Honey Cann aged Eighteen Years of Topsham in the County of Devon of the first part and Henry George and Alfred Holman, Ship Builders & c of Topsham of the Second Part.

Witnesseth that the said William Honey Cann of his own free will testified by his executing these presents has put, placed and bound himself an apprentice to the said Henry George and Alfred Holman in the Trade and Business of a Smith from the day of the date hereof for and during and to the full end and term of Seven Years thence helt? ensuing and fully to be complete and ended during all which time the said William Honey Cann shall and will faithfully and diligently serve the said Henry George and Alfred Holman in the said trade and business, their secrets keep, their lawful commands at all times obey and perform hurt or damage to them he shall not do commit, or consent or suffer it to be done by others and shall not nor will not depart or absent himself from the service of his said Masters from Six o'clock in the morning until Six o'clock in the evening in each and every year during the said service but upon all and every occasion at Tide Time and at other times either by night or by day when required shall and will obey all and every the Reasonable commands of his said Masters and their Foremen and Workmen and in all things as becomes a honest, faithful and diligent apprentice shall behave and demean himself during the said Term; and for the consideration of the sum of Four Shillings & Sixpence per week being paid to the said William Honey Cann by the said Henry George and Alfred Holman his said Masters during the first year. Four Shillings & Sixpence per week the second year. Six Shillings per week the third year, Seven Shillings per week the fourth year, Eight Shillings per week the fifth year, Nine Shillings per week the sixth year, Ten Shillings per week during the last and seventh year of his apprenticeship and in the same proportion of wages as aforesaid for Tide Time and over-time and in consideration also that they the said Henry George and Alfred Holman, do provide the said William Honey Cann with working Tools suitable and proper to be used by him in and about the said Trade and Business, and shall and will teach and instruct, or cause the said William Honey Cann to be well and efficiently taught and instructed in the Business of a Smith in and by the best and most approved method that they the said Henry George and Alfred Holman now or shall at anytime hereafter be enabled during the said Term.

Provided nevertheless and it is hereby declared and agreed by and between the parties hereto that in case the aforesaid William Honey Cann shall at any time hereinafter during the said Term be absent from the Service and employ of the said Henry George and Alfred Holman, on account of sickness or from any other cause whatsoever except at the times hereinbefore mentioned then the said Henry George and Alfred Holman shall and may deduct from the weekly wages to be paid the said William Honey Cann for all the time and times which the said William Honey Cann shall not be working for the said Henry George and Alfred Holman in proportion to and at the rate of the weekly sum which he the said apprentice shall for the time being be entitled to receive as aforesaid.

In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals this twentieth day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Two.

Signed Sealed and delivered being first duly stamped the above named William Honey Cann and Henry George and Alfred Holman in the presence of} John Cann [sig] William Honey Cann [sig] H. G. & A. Holman [sig] William I Helmore? [sig]

Wm. H. Cann has served his time to our satisfaction. Is a good Smith and Sober Honest and industrious.

Alfred Holman [sig] of the Firm of H. G. & A. Holman

20th April 1862

William Honey Cann

Henry George & Alfred Holman

Indenture of Apprenticeship} for 7 Years

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by Linda Blum-Barton