Overseers of the Poor Bind John Joseph to Jacob Yost

I confess I’ve neglected 3^rd Great Grandfather John Joseph on this blog. I published six items for John’s father, 4^th Great Grandfather Daniel Joseph, which you can view here.

2^nd Great Grandfather William Wilson Joseph, John’s son, was featured in blog post William Wilson Joseph and Eliza Jane Spitler of Augusta Co., VA and includes a photograph of my 2^nd Great Grandparents.

John was born August 4, 1787 in Virginia to Daniel Joseph and Eva Margaretha Hanger. His family included an older sibling, Eve born 1785, younger sister Margaret and little brother Daniel. 

His parents had ties to Augusta and Rockingham Counties while John was a boy so it’s hard to say where he was raised. When he was about 9 or 10 years old, his father died in Rockingham County. A few years later on January 5, 1799, John’s mother married Warner Peters.

Today I’m sharing an apprenticeship I found in the Rockingham County, Virginia Minute Book 5, pages 175-176.

Tuesday, At a Court Held for the County of Rockingham On the 17^th day of January 1804

Ordered that the Overseers of the poor bind John Joseph orphan of Daniel Joseph dec’d to Jacob Yost to learn the trade of a House Joiner he agreeing to take him for three years & a half from the first of August last

Grandfather’s apprenticeship with Jacob Yost began in August 1803. This would have been close to John’s 16th birthday—a good time to plan his future. I have no reason to believe John was not well cared for by his mother and step-father. This makes me wonder if 4^th Great Grandmother Eve voluntarily arranged the apprenticeship with the Overseers of the Poor so John could learn a craft.

I’m certain the agreement was beneficial for both. Jacob Yost gained a young strong willing worker and Grandfather learned skills that would insure his livelihood. Jacob Yost taught him well as John worked in the carpentry and woodworking trade his entire life.

 

Excerpt from Rockingham Co. Minute Book 5, page 175