Catalogue Number
NMLH.2003.8.2
Object Name
Tin
Place
Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, UK
People
Robert Robson, Robert Romney, Tin-Plate Workers' General Union
Date
1784?
Description
A Rectangular lidded metal tin for holding Robert Robson's indenture contract.
Indenture was a form of labour contract under which the indentured person would work without salary for a specific amount of time. The most common forms of indenture were: voluntary agreements such as apprenticeships where the person is indentured to learn their trade from a particular craftsperson; an agreed way to work off a debt between two people; or a legal punishment imposed by a judge.
For indenture that had been voluntarily entered, indenture contracts like Robson's 1784 agreement with Robert Romney, to be his apprentice for seven years, could protect the apprentice from mistreatment, as they were a legally binding contract that the master had to fulfil. They could also protect the apprentice from being forced to work for additional years, as the start date of his apprenticeship was recorded. This may be why Robson had a special case to keep his indenture contract safe.
**ON DISPLAY**
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