Apprentice Tailor – George Bertram
After living for 10-12 years on their rented farm in Delhi, the Andrew and Alison Bartram family moved to New York City. Perhaps, this was out of necessity or simply to have better opportunities for their family, but by 1832, they were living in New York City.
With the downturn of the economy in 1833, George, at the age of 13, and with the consent of his father, was bound as an apprentice to serve for seven years under Andrew Little, Tailor.
The certificate of indenture lists George as being 13 years, 11 months, 4 days of age and his term of service to end December 1840. The contract wording is interesting, for it states, “The Apprentice is to serve his Master faithfully, to keep his secrets, to obey his lawful commands, and neither to gamble, nor drink, nor commit matrimony within the times”. “In return, the Master agrees to teach the Art, Trade and Mystery of the tailor, to provide sufficient meat, drink, washing, lodging and clothing fitting for an Apprentice” and also to give him two quarters of evening schooling in the term.
At this time in history, apprenticeships were considered very serious business and rewards were often offered for “lost, strayed or stolen” apprentices!
For the first two years of the apprenticeship, George’s tasks would have included: hauling wood and water, sweeping the shop, stocking and putting in order blocks of clothes, picking up pins and needles and other necessary tasks to help the Master. As time went by, he would have learned the “mysteries” of measuring, cutting, basting, pressing, fitting, sewing and button-holeing.
George persevered and on May 1, 1840, Andrew Little released him from his contract in consideration for his “uniform good conduct, for his honesty, truth, integrity and sobriety”.
George Bertram (new spelling as mentioned in an earlier tidbit) continued as a journeyman tailor for the next several years but little is mentioned as to which shops he may have been employed at. During this time he met and married Julia Hamilton and began his family.
