Indenture
From Free net encyclopedia
The term Indenture comes from the medieval English "indenture of retainer" — a legal contract written in duplicate on the same sheet, with the copies separated by cutting along a jagged (toothed, hence the term "indenture") line so that the teeth of the two parts could later be refitted to confirm authenticity. (From Stan Zegel's origin of the term on page Indentured servant.)
The term is used for any kind of deed executed by more than one party, in contrast to a deed poll which is made by one individual. Each party to the deed would then retain a part of the indenture.
Perhaps its best known use was in establishing a contract for slavery or apprenticeship and this use is more fully discussed under Indentured servant.
Certainly in England an Indenture was commonly used as a form of sealed contract or agreement, especially where land and buildings were concerned. An example of this use can be found at Caleb Adkins.