Â鶹Éç

When I inherited a family Bible published in 1797, tucked inside the cover I found an apprentice's indenture. This had been drawn up in 1798 on behalf of my forebear Benjamin Gains, aged sixteen years, by his prospective Master, John Shepherd who was one of about fifty cloth-dressers active in Leeds at the time.

There were standard conditions but what is revealing are the specific details of the job. Benjamin's wages will run on a scale from six shillings a week in the first year to twelve shillings in the seventh and final one. At the end of each year he'd also get one guinea for "wearing apparel". Working hours stretched from 5 am until 8pm. There would be no pay if he were ill.

At the foot of the document Benjamin had awkwardly scratched "his mark", below which his Master signed his name with an arrogant flourish.