Sailmaker's Documents

A collection of indentures and related ephemera relating to Henry William Gladwell and his son Henry, 19th Century.

The collection includes birth certificates, certificates of discharge, an apprentice indenture on vellum with signatures and wax seals, 1st July 1856, an earlier apprenticeship indenture, 1812, a pension certificate dated 1846, birth and baptism certificates at Milton-next-Gravesend, Kent, 1851, a printed booklet, ‘Rules, Articles and Regulations, to be Observed by the Sail Makers’ Burial Society… ‘, 1869, orig. printed wrappers, small 8vo, and a quantity of manuscript ephemera and letters.

A collection of letters provide character testimonies of Gladwell, including one from Willaim Miller, writing “Henry William Gladwell has served with me as Mate on a voyage from Sunderland to Dundee and back to Sunderland again during the whole of which time, he discharged his duties in a most sober, seaman-like and exemplary manner. I have much pleasure in testifying to his upright character abilities” , Brig Helen Richards, Sunderland, January 30, 1882;

Another character witness, Henry Steel, writes “… I always found him to be a most sober, trustworthy, honest and a well conducted journeyman. Very attentive to his duties.”,July 7th, 1881;

Through the various character witness’, the numerous voyages Gladwell participated in are revealed. Several around the UK, but also travelling from London to Melbourne in 1879. A sailmaker’s life is represented through this collection of formal documents, from his birth certificate to the invitation to his funeral.