William Poland was born April 10, 1788 presumably in Loudoun County, Virginia based on a letter written by his mother Elizabeth asking that he be bound out to John Houghman Jr in 1791. The letter is dated 10 September 1791 and states:
"Gentlemen
Please to make an order for the Overseers in Cameron Parish to bind my child William Poland four years at the 10th day of April next to Mr. John Houghman Junior and you? O???? gentleman
Your Hble Serv Elizabeth Polen"
Loudoun County Order Book Entry O page 3 dated September 12, 1791 states: "Ordered that the overseers of the Poor bind William Poland age 4 years the 10th of April next to John Houghman Jr. according to law".
In Louisa Skinner Hutchinson's book Apprenticies, Poor Children and Bastards Loudoun County, Virginia 1757-1850 she states that children were bound out until they became of age and for males that was 21.
William was definitely still with John Houghman Jr in 1799 because Elizabeth took John to court to try to get William out of his apprenticeship\binding.
On Oct 15th, 1799 it was ordered that John Huffman be summoned to appear at the next court to show cause why he detains William Poling in his service as an apprentice and for ill treatment of the said apprentice.
On October 16th, 1799 the Sheriff is ordered to summon Pierce Bayley, Nathaniel Poland, Nancy Stephens, Jno Stephens and Ann Elmore to appear in court the 1st day of November to testify on behalf of Eliza Poling in the case against John Huffman.
On November 6th, 1799 the Sheriff is ordered to summon Theophilus Hughs and Elizabeth his wife, Peggy Hiler, John Holding, Harry Lowe, Nathaniel Pegg and Polly Stevens to appear in court the 1st day of the next court to testify on behalf of John Huffman. in the case against Eliza Poland.
The case was dismissed on November 13, 1799 and John Huffman was ordered to pay his witnesses One Dollar and 5 cents each for two days attendance as a witness for him.
