Signs a Marriage Is Going Poorly

MILDRED BRADLEY,

 Heretofore Mildred Coleman. having in vain attempted to live with her husband, (if he can be entitled to that appellation) in New Kent (where however he had made no sort of provision for a family,) has, with his consent, under a promise that he would restore to her the little property he may justly be said to have robbed her of, but which, regardless of that promise, he now refuses to do. returned to Richmond, where, as she is, in consequence of the conduct of Mr. Bradley, destitute of say other means of subsistence, she has again resorted to the MANTUA MAKING BUSINESS for a support. She is thankful for the encouragement she has heretofore received, and will be grateful for a continuance of it. Her residence for the present, is opposite to Mr. Thomas Wilson’s office, where her business will be assiduously attended to,
Richmond, Nov. 7, 1805.

- Virginia Argus, 16 November 1805

Researching the 1810 Census shows a Pleasant Bradley living in the county. That census only listed the names of heads of households. The household breakdown was three males one between 10-15 years of age, another 16-25, and the third between 26-44. It also showed two women, one between 10-15 and the other 45 or older.

A question arises: Could this be the mother of our young wayward apprentice Daniel Bradley?

To Each His Just . . .

TEN CENTS REWARD

FOR apprehending and delivering to me to New Kent county, near Bottom’s Bridge, Daniel L. Bradley my apprentice, who absconded on last Sunday; he is a personal youth, very forward, 16 years of age his mother resides in New Kent.— All persons are forwarned from entertaining or harbouring said apprentice, & masters of vessels from carrying him out of the state, as the law will he enforced against them.
                                                 BENJAMIN KEININGHAM. :
November 23, 1805.                            3t*

 -Virginia Argus, 4 December 1805


From the 1803 edition of A Collection of All Such Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia, of a Public and Permanent Nature, as are Now in Force: 1776-1801

XI EVERY orphan who hath no estate or not sufficient for a maintenance of the profits, shall, by order of the Court of the County or Corporation in which he or he resides, be bound Apprentice by the Overseers of the Poor until the age of twenty-one years, if a boy, or of eighteen years, if a girl, to some master or mistress, who shall covenant to teach the Apprentice some art, trade, of business, to be particularized in the indenture, as also reading and writing; and if a boy, common arithmetic, including the rule of three, and to pay him or her twelve dollars at the expiration of the time; and the indentures of such Apprentices shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County, and not transferable to any person whatsoever without the approbation of the Court. 

XII ANY Guardian may with the approbation of that Court in which his appointment shall be recorded, and not otherwise, bind his Ward Apprentice to such person for learning such art or trade, and with such covenants on part of the master or mistress as the said Court shall direct and every such Apprentice with the like approbation, or any Apprentice bound by his father, may, with the approbation of the Court of that County in which the father reside, after he hall be sixteen years of age, agree to serve until he shall twenty-four years of age, or any shorter time, and such agreement entered on record shall bind him.

The Code of 1819 has this . . .

If any person shall knowingly harbor or conceal any apprentice who shall have deserted from his master or mistress, such person, besides being liable to an action for damages, shall forfeit and pay, to such master or mistress, the sum of three dollars for every day that he shall so conceal or harbor such apprentice. 

And according to this calculator the relative wage value of 10 cents in 1805 is . . . $2.25.