INDENTURES & TESTIMONIALS

Contents...   Indenture - George Blue, 1905   Testimonial - George Blue, 1912   Testimonial - Claus Schuhmacher, 1855

 

Indenture for George Meldrum BLUE, jun, 1905

On 14th August 1905, George Meldrum Blue, originally from Greenock and himself an engineer at Abram Lyle's refinery at Plaistow Wharf, Silvertown, entered into an agreement with John Lyle, managing director, regarding the apprenticeship of his son George Meldrum Blue, junior. At just 14, young George was to follow in his father's footsteps and train as an engineer. The papers shows that the Blue family lived at 22 Knights Road, West Silvertown, West Ham, Essex, and that the apprenticeship was for 6 years during which time "... the Apprentice shall faithfully serve the Masters, their secrets keep ...etc." George was to be paid ...    Eight shillings per week during the first year    Ten shillings per week during the second year    Twelve shillings per week during the third year    Fifteen shillings per week during the fourth year    Eighteen shillings per week during the fifth year    Twentyone shillings per week during the sixth year ... though the wages would not be paid for any period of absence whether it be illness, accident, holiday or any other cause. The indenture was eventually signed and sealed on 23rd January 1906 by George, his father and John Lyle, and witnessed by John Galbraith and Walter Hudson.

 

George Meldrum Blue, jun, served his full apprenticeship and on 28th June 1912 was handed his papers to which John Lyle had added a short testimonial ..."George Meldrum Blue completed the within indenture to our satisfaction and showed himself to be honest, sober, industrious and a good tradesman during the time he was with us."

 

... and his Testimonial, 1912

George continued to work as an engineer, both locally and in Canada & USA, but not in the sugar industry.

 

My thanks to Chris Eddington.

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Testimonial for Claus Heinrich SCHUHMACHER, 1852

This would appear to be the testimonial with which Claus Schuhmacher left his employment with Grant, Baldwin & Co in London in 1852. He spent the following 3 years in the West Indies, returning to become foreman boiler at the newly established Sankey Sugar Works in Earlestown, Lancs.

 

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