this indenture made 21.10.1717 witnesseth that Jn Hatch junior and Ambrose Stowers churchwardens and Robt Harris and Jn May overseers of Earls Colne with the consent of justices of the peace have put and placed Math Andrewes (may be Math Andrewes) a poor child of the parish apprentice to Thos Stowill of Messing with him to dwell until the age of twenty four years (now aged 16years) and to serve his master etc and Thos Stowill covenants shall instruct him in the art of a tailor and lodge and feed him and keep the parishioners indemnified from any charges and at the end of the term supply him with a double suit of apparel etc Thos Stowill witnesses Hen Adams senior Sam Burton justices of the peace Rich Androwes Jn Wale