Some documents relating to Indenture Laws
Resources for Bound by Sally Gunning

TRANSCRIPTION MASSACHUSETTS BODY OF LIBERTIES 1641

LIBERTIES OF SERVANTS

85. If any servants shall flee from the Tiranny and crueltie of their masters to
the howse of any freeman of the same Towne, they shall be there protected and
susteyned till due order be taken for their relife. Provided due notice thereof
be speedily given to their maisters from whom they fled. And the next Assistant
or Constable where the partie flying is harboured.

86. No servant shall be put of for above a yeare to any other neither in the
life time of their maister nor after their death by their Executors or
Administrators unlesse it be by consent of Authoritie assembled in some Court or
two Assistants.

87. If any man smite out the eye or tooth of his man-servant, or maid servant,
or otherwise mayme or much disfigure him, unlesse it be by meere casualtie, he
shall let them goe free from his service. And shall have such further recompense
as the Court shall allow him.

88. Servants that have served deligentlie and faithfully to the benefitt of
their maisters seaven yeares, shall not be sent away emptie. And if any have
bene unfaithfull, negligent or unprofitable in their service, notwithstanding
the good usage of their maisters, they shall not be dismissed till they have
made satisfaction according to the Judgement of Authoritie.

POOR LAWS 1720