Voice of the People: Daily Life in the Antebellum Rural Delaware County New York Area

Family and Daily Life

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Background: The U. S. Financial Panic of 1837 resulted in the failures of many banks and led to a five-year economic depression. There was no welfare system in this era. Poor children sometimes ended up as servants with little pay, either sent out by their families or, in this case, the Delaware County Poor House. Note that 6 year Alvina was to be indentured to the age of 18 with the provision "...he will cause the said Alvina Colony to be instructed in the common business of house work and provide for her in all cases as [illeg] in sickness as in health and also given unto the said Alvina one good bed and bedding with twenty five dollars when she shall [illeg] at the age of eighteen years....And the said Isaac Archer further covenants and agrees, that he will cause such child to be instructed to read and write (arithmetic is crossed off); and he further agrees, that he will give to such girl at the expiration of her service, one good new suit of holy-day clothes, and two other good suits of every day wear, and also one new Bible."  

See also Listing of Apprenticeship Indentures 1830 to 1908 (Delaware County Clerk's Office)

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Courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, 46549 State Hwy 10, Delhi, NY, 13753.

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