New York House of Refuge Contracts for Labor, Goods, and Services
Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources
Overview of the Records
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
0.2 cubic feet
1 volume
Arrangement
Roughly chronological within type of contract.
Scope and Content Note
This volume contains contracts for inmate labor or for the supplying of goods or services to the institution. The rules of the institution required that contracts for inmate labor, service to the institution worth over $5.00, and hiring of employees be drawn up and kept in a contract book.
Half of the volume consists of contracts between the Board of Managers and manufacturers for the labor of inmates. These records cover the years 1845-1880 except for extracts of two contracts from 1826-1842. The contracts provide: date; name of employer; type of work; number of inmates to be employed; date employment to commence; and amount employer will pay managers per day for each inmate. In some cases agreements modifying the terms (e.g. hours, rate of pay) of the original contract are attached. Contract labor was employed in shoemaking, chair making, hosiery, printing, and other jobs.
The other half of the volume contains contracts for goods or services. These include employment contracts providing: date; name of employee; position (teacher, matron, assistant superintendent, etc.); and compensation (wage, board, lodging). This half of the volume also includes contracts for goods such as food or clothing providing: date; name of supplier; goods supplied; and price. These records cover the years 1826-1895.
Custodial History
The New York State Department of Correctional Services placed these records on loan to the Syracuse University Library from 1960-1977.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Access Terms
Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents in the City of New York