this indenture made 22.11.1716 witnesseth that Ambrose Stowers and Jn Brewster churchwardens and Hen Adams junior and Joseph Bott overseers of Earls Colne with the consent of justices of the peace have put and placed Joseph Roott a poor child of the parish apprentice to Dan Smith of Halstead gardener with him to dwell from this day until the apprentice is twenty four years old and he shall serve his master faithfully etc and the said Dan Smith covenants to instruct the apprentice in the art of a gardener and will lodge and feed him and keep the parishioners of Earls Colne indemnified from any charges arising from the apprentice and at the end of the term will supply two suits of apparel etc Dan Smith witnesses Sam Chrismas Sam Burton justices of the peace Jn Cressener J Sparrow