1895 Pretoria domestic service contract
I bought this recently, mainly because of the fiscal stamp cancelled by a Landrostkantoor cachet with an 11 year dating error ((19)06 instead of (18)95!); but thought that its content might be of interest - the rate of pay (£2 per month, increasing to £3 after 6 months service) compares favourably with the payment of domestic servants in the UK at the same date.
"Contract of service between J.A. deWet on behalf of his wife and Lilly Songishe, a Baccha wonan from Kokstad, whereby she agrees to hire herself to Lady de Wet as a general servant for a period of twelve months beginning on the first day of April 1985 and terminating on the 1st day of April 1896 and the said JA deWet on behalf as aforesaid agrees to pay her for her services at the rate of two pounds per month for the first six months and three pounds per month for the following six months, payable monthly. She shall reside on the premises and be provided with the usual board and lodging. Thus done and agreed at Pretoria this 8th day of April 1895.
[Signed] JA deWet / Lilly Songishe"
[Countersigned etc. by CE Schutte, a Pretoria magistrate]
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