[I continue with the story of Robert Bailey.]
Robert Bailey informally apprenticed himself to Mr. Brooken to learn the trade of carpentry. He was to serve until he was 21 with a year of schooling. The first assignment, with several other apprentices, was to build a barn on the Robinson River. He used the crosscut saw extensively which he found to be much harder work than plowing. Robert respected Mr. Brooken who treated his apprentices well. The second job was at Orange Courthouse where a tavern was repaired and additions were made to a house. Next, the work was for Mr. Alcock where Mr. Alcock complimented him upon the quality of a gate that Robert made. Then they built a house for Benjamin Winslow. Robert used the crosscut saw and whip saw, made shingles, laid floors. He learned to make a window sash and a panel door. He was generally happy and contented.
Robert was then left at Mrs. Blankenpicker's to go to school at Mr. Buchanan’s. Mrs. Blankenpicker gave him a piece of ground upon which he cultivated tobacco. School and this farming were his chief pleasures. He remained four months and sold the tobacco for $15. He was treated well by the family and every member was endeared to him. They wanted him to go to church and lent him a horse for that purpose. [Now you see why Marilyn Hansen brought the story of Robert Bailey to my attention.]
At the end of four months, Mr. Brooken called in all his apprentices to build himself a mill and a house. There were seven apprentices. Robert, as the youngest, had to cook for them besides working on the mill. Eventually, he was replaced as cook and then worked full time at the mill using the crosscut saw, making shingles, and rolling stones for the mill dam. When the mill and house were completed, Mr. Brooken married. Mrs. Brooken and Robert got along fine and Robert was a favorite of hers. The other apprentices did not like Mrs. Brooken and they left. Mr. Brooken had Robert work in the mill then. Robert had been with Mr. Brooken two years and six months.
The schedule was extremely hard. Robert worked in the mill in the morning then went three miles to school. When he returned in the evening, he had to grind whatever grain had come in during the day. Robert did not like doing the mill work and felt that he was not being trained in carpentry as he was supposed to be. On arising one morning, he packed his meager belongings and threw them out of the window. He fed the hogs, did the mill work, ate breakfast, and quietly left the Brookens. The day was the 15th of December in 1788. He had two dollars in his pocket.
(28 Sep 06)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.