Articles of Agreement between Rupert Dovey of Stourbridge, Worcestershire Gentleman and Thomas Pearsall of Hawn, Salop Gentleman and Thomas Pearsall the Younger. 12 April 1735. Cat ref: CP 5/36 no. 7.

Rupert Dovey´s agreement to take Thomas Pearsall the Younger to be his articled clerk, in consideration of £105 5s paid by Thomas Pearsall the Elder. Thomas is articled for the term of five years and Dovey will ´employ teach & Instruct´ him ´in the practice & profession of an Attorney in the Court of Common Pleas´. Thomas will live in Dovey´s household and receive board and ´Sufficient & Wholsome meat Drink and lodging´. He was required to be diligent and not neglect his master´s affairs and keep secret his master´s business. His father was to provide his clothing, and washing, and provide him with a horse for journeys to London. Should Dovey die before the term of five years was up a proportion of the money was to be repaid to the father, within the first year £70, in the second year £40, and in the third year £30.