THIS WRITING INDENTURE made the Last day of July Anno Domine 1627 And in the Third yeare of the raigne of our Sovereign Lord
Charles. By the Grace of God king of England Scotland France and
Ireland Defender of the faith &c &c.
Betweene
(1. Servant) Richard
Lowther of Broleme in the Parish of Southill in the County of
Bedford a Brewer. Of the one party and
(2.Plantation Owner) Edward Hurd Cittizen and
Ironmonger of London. Of the other party. Witnesseth that the said
Richard Lowther (for the Considerations herein after Mentioned)
hath hired himselfe and is become and by these presents doth agree and
bind himselfe to remaine and Continue to bee servant of him the said
Edward Hurd his heirs and assignes. To be by him or them sent
and transported unto the Country and land of
(3. Plantation State) Virginia, in the parts
beyond the Seas & to be by him or them employed upon his plantation
there. For and during the space of Four yeares to begin at the feast
day of St. Michael the Archangel now next comeing.
During which said term the said Richard Lowther shall and
will truely employ and endeavour himselfe to the utmost of his power,
knowledge and skill to doe and performe true and faithfull service
unto the said Edward Hurd, his heirs and assignes. In for and
concerning all such Labour and businesse as he or they shall think
good to use and employ him the said Richard Lowther in. And
shall and will be tractable and obedient as a good and a faithfull
servant ought to be in all such things as shall be Commanded him by
the said Edward Hurd, his heires or assignes in Virginia
aforesaid or elsewhere dureing the said term.
IN CONSIDERATION whereof the said Edward Hurd for himselfe his
executors administrators or assignes and for every one of them do
promise and grant to and with the said Richard Lowther his
heires executors administrators and assignes by these presents that
he, the said Edward Hurd his heires executors administrators
and assignes shall and will (at his and their owne charges) not only
transport and furnish out the said Richard Lowther to and from
Virginia aforesaid; and there find provide and allow unto him
sufficient meat, drink, apparell and other necessaryes for his
livelihood and maynetenance dureing the said term. But also at the
expiration of the said terme shall and will grant, assign and allot
unto him the said Richard Lowther the quantity of Fifty acres
of Land in Virginia aforesaid to hold to him his heires and assignes
forever as in such Cases usuall without fraud or Coven.