White Servitude in Colonial America (docs)

[Electronic God-Man]

I've been looking through tons of primary documents about White indentured servants in colonial British North America. In this case, the sources have been colonial newspapers that issued advertisements looking to recapture runaway servants. There are also instances of advertisements being taken out to request servants as well as to sell off certain white servants.

All of the following excerpts are from the Pennsylvania Gazette and that is solely because other searchable databases that I have access to do not have the newspapers actually transcribed but scanned. The dates range from the early 1700's to 1776 (the end of the colonial period).

At least half of all European migrants to British North America during the eighteenth century signed a contract which indentured themselves to a master for a period of between three and seven years. In doing so, the immigrant received payment for his or her trip across the Atlantic, food, shelter, and clothing during the length of the indenture, and sometimes land or money at the end of their servitude if they were lucky.

Once bought by someone in the colonies the servant was more or less a slave to their master with the main difference being of course that at some point he/she was to be given their freedom. It's important to point out that when white indentured servants ran away they were tracked down much like a runaway Black African slave would be (punishments after capture and chances of succeeding were most likely different, I would imagine). The advertisements taken out to tell people to be on the look-out for runaway servants were very similar to those you would see for runaway slaves.

I have on occasion heard (generally any occasion where the topic is brought up) many Europeans express their belief that when Europeans traveled to the American colonies they lived a fairly well-to-do life, living off the backs of Indians and African slaves. The truth is that most came as small-time farmers and a very large number (at least 1/2 of the total immigrants during the 18th century alone) came as indentured servants.

The advertisements give many details such as the date of the newspaper article, the date the servant fled, a description of the servant's physical appearance, the place of birth of the servant, whether or not the servant could speak English (including which accents at times), where the person is thought to be heading, their occupation, reason for fleeing, who they might be running off to or with, etc. Many of these advertisements can be quite hilarious, especially in the descriptions of the runaways. Such as the "Dutch Servant Man" with hair "of a pissburnt colour". :D

Feel free to ask any questions whatsoever about the topic at hand. After all, apparently I am supposed to know something about it now. Add anything you want. Most likely, I'll add some things I find as I go along. Maybe some quotes from the biographies of an indentured servant or two.

In general, it's never a bad idea to have some primary documents lying around. So without further ado...



Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: September 16, 1762
RUN away on the 31st of August, from David Rose, A Servant Man, named John O Neal, about 20 Years of Age, has red Hair, white Eyebrows, is about 5 Feet 7 Inches high: Had on, and took with him, Two Jackets, one white , the other Blue, an old castor Hat, and white and check Shirts. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant , so as his Master may have him again, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward, paid by David Rose, in Philadelphia.



Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: October 30, 1755
A NEGROE or white servant lad, that can serve in a gentleman house; and a good servant woman, that understands house work, and can dress victuals well, upon applying to the printers, may hear of a place.
N.B. To be sold, a strong likely Dutch servant woman, fit for country business, and who has been above a year in the place. Enquire as above.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: November 22, 1733
RUN away on Saturday Morning last the two following Servant Men, viz From Joseph Gray at the Middle Ferry on Skuylkill, a Dutch Servant Man speaks a little English and French, named Andreas Baseener [Bafeener], about 25 Years of Age, long strait Hair of a Pissburnt colour, tall, swarthy Complexion; Had on a Broadcloth Coat and Breeches somewhat worn, Felt Hat, wears a Stock with a large Brass Clasp, Ozenbrigs Shirt, Grey Yarn Stockings, strong Shoes. From Christian Grassholt a Dutch Servant Man, by Trade a Taylor, talks little or no English, named Hans Wulf Eisman, no Hair, about 22 Years old, wears a white Cap under his Felt Hat, white Flatband, an old Olive green Duroy Coat, one Sleeve a little torn, a black Cloth Wastecoat and Breeches, white Yarn Stockings, and dark Stockings, square toe'd Shoes with large Brass Buckles, coarse Linen Shirt. Whoever secures the said Servants so as they may be had again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward for the first and Twenty Shillings for the other, and reasonable Charges paid by Jos. Gray & Ch. Grassholt. Novem. 13.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: May 14, 1741
RUN away last Night, from John Dabbin, of this City, Blacksmith, an Irish servant man named Nicholas McGray, aged about 26 years, a well set fellow, full fac'd, and red complexion: Had on when he went away, a suit of brown duroy, white stockings, new pumps, beaver hat, white wig or cap, and white shirt. Whoever secures the said servant so that his master may have him again, shall have Five Pounds reward, and reasonable charges paid by John Dabbin.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: September 8, 1763
RUN away, the 22d of August last, a Dutch Servant Girl, named Elizabeth Ferringhan, about 16 Years of Age, short Stature, and thick set, of a brown Complexion, and dark Hair, pitted with the Small pox: Had on when she went away, a brown Serge Petticoat, with a black Quilt under it, a blue and white stamped Linen short Gown, a white Apron, with a Piece across it, white Stockings, old Shoes, with odd Buckles in them, a brown Sattin Bonnet, lined with White , and a white Ribbon round it; also took with her a black Bombazeen ruffled Gown. Whoever brings the said Servant to her Master in Philadelphia, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward, paid by JOHN CHEVALIER.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: February 2, 1744
RUN away, on the 8th Instant, from William Baker, in Chesnut Street Philadelphia, a Dutch Servant Woman, named Catherine Vernon, lusty and well set. fair Complexion, drest after the Dutch Fashion, dark Petticoat, short calico Jacket, dutch Cap, white Apron and Handkerchief, dutch Shoes with Nails in them; the said Servant can talk pretty good English, and has been in this Country about three Years. Whoever takes up the said Servant , and secures her so that her Master may have her again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges paid by William Baker.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 13, 1748
Philadelphia, December 13. 1748.
Run away, last Tuesday night, from Jacob Asleman, in Conestogoe, a Dutch servant lad, middle stature, a fat, chunky fellow, and of a fresh complexion: Had on when he went away, a blue linsey woolsey jacket, white trowsers, new felt hat, and red silk handkerchief about his neck. Whoever take up and secures said servant in any goal, so as his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JACOB ASLEMAN. N.B. All masters of vessels, and others, are desired not to entertain said servant at their peril.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 2, 1762
RUN away from near Newport, a Servant Man, named John Shannan, about 5 Feet 10 Inches high, born in England, and came here from Cork with Captain Rankin: Had on, when he went away, a green SailorJacket, and Hat, and Check Shirt, carried with him two Check Shirts, one white ditto, a dark coloured Coat; he is Pock marked, his Hair club. Whoever takes up said Servant , and secures him in any Goal, so as Notice may be given to Victor King, in York County, or to John King in Philadelphia, at Capt. John Mease, that said servant may be had again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by me
JOHN KING.

Let me know if the font is too small. I want to fit more in but I didn't want it to take up a huge amount of space.

[Electronic God-Man]

One thing to point out here is that (to Ulf's great disappointment) the "Dutch" described in the ads are actually Germans from the Palatinate not the Dutch as we would think of today. I have been wondering whether anyone has ever found an ancestor who at one point ran away from their servitude by looking through these newspaper ads.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: October 19, 1774
RUN away from the subscriber, an English servant girl, named Christiana Weeks, came from Bristol in the ship Two Brothers, Captain Robert Adams, in July last, of a brown complexion, black hair, dark eyes, and stoops when she walks; had on, and took with her, three short gowns, one of white linen, another red and white India calicoe, and the other blue and white striped linen, one brown camblet long gown, a good black quilt, three check aprons, a black Barcelona handkerchief, a new black bonnet, lined with blue, black leather high heeled shoes, and a pair of large white plated buckles. She has with her a certificate of her marriage with Nathaniel Weeks. Whoever takes up and secures said servant , so that her master may have her again, shall have TWO DOLLARS reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN CHEVALIER.
It is supposed she is gone towards New York; all masters of vessels are forbid to harbour or carry her off.
October 17.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 2, 1742
RUN away last Night, from William Rush, in Front street, Philadelphia, an Irish Servant Man, named Garrat Condon, round shoulder'd: Had on when he went away, a good felt Hat, worsted Cap, or white Wig, an olive colour'd drugget Coat, new kersey Jacket, lead colour'd, with flat mettal Buttons, white Shirt, light broad cloth Breeches, new yarn Stockings, and good Shoes. Whoever takes up and brings the said Servant to his Master, or secures him so that he may be had again, shall have Three Pounds Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by William Rush.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: October 6, 1748
Philadelphia, October 6. 1748.
Run away, on the 29th of last month, from Joseph McFarlan, of Tenicum township, Bucks county, a native Irish servant man, named Bryan O'Murry, about five foot six inches high, dark complexion: Had on when he went away a good felt hat, very short black hair, white shirt, brown linsey jacket, leather breeches, white yarn stockings, and old shoes. Whoever takes up said servant , and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by Joseph McFarlan.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: November 20, 1766
RUN away from the Subscriber, on the 9th Instant, living in Soleberry Township, Bucks County, a Servant Man, named John Johnson, an Englishman; had on, when he went away, a green Jacket, lined with white Swanskin, white Linen Shirt, old Buckskin Breeches, dark coloured Stockings, old Shoes, with carved Buckles; he is about 5 Feet 8 Inches high of a fair Complexion, and blind of the right Eye. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant , so that his Master may have him again, shall have Eight Dollars Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
JAMES BOYLES

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: August 20, 1767
Title: RUN away from the Subscriber, living in West Nottingham, an
RUN away from the Subscriber, living in West Nottingham, an Irish Servant Woman, named Eleanor Kinney, but apt to change her Name; she is about 25 Years of Age, a very fat, short thick woman, sandy Complexion, red faced, Pockmarked, chews and smoaks tobacco much, and given to strong Liquor; had on, when she went away, a Linsey Petticoat, striped brown and white , with a short blue and white striped Gown, and other Things, not her Property. Whoever secures said Servant in any Goal, or brings her to the Subscriber, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by JOHN CARMICHAEL.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: October 16, 1755
Lancaster, October 13, 1755. RUN away from the Subscriber, living near John Harris, in Derry Township, Lancaster County, an Irish Servant Man, named Andrew Walls, about 24 Years of Age, 5 Feet 9 Inches high, is small bodies, round faced, thick liped [sic], and is a Weaver by Trade. Had on when he went away, a good Castor Hat, a pale bob Wig, a brown Rateen Coat, with White Metal Buttons, and only the Fore skirts lines, blue Cloth Breeches, a blue and white stripes Linsey Jacket, the Stripes across, two white Linen Shirts, blue worsted Stockings, and good Shoes, with Brass Buckles in them: He is but lately come into the Country; he dresses neat, writes a good Hand, and does not appear like a Servant . Whoever takes up and secures said Servant , so that his Master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by JAMES McCREA.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: August 31, 1758
Title: Philadelphia, August 31, 1758.
Philadelphia, August 31, 1758. RUN away on the 22d Instant, from Edward Parrish, an English Servant Man, named William Simmons, by Trade a Bricklayer, about 30 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 8 Inches high, very well made, of a sandy Complexion, and has a remarkable Scar on his under Lip: Had on when he went away, a Castor Hat, pretty much worn, a short brown cut Wig, a dirty white Fustian Coat, with a Cape, Ozenbrigs Trowsers, good Shoes, with Soldiers square Copper Buckles; he took with him two Pair of Breeches, one of dark Fustian, the other white twilled Ditto, two Check Shirts, one white Ditto, two Pair of Thread Stockings, and a new Felt Hat. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant so that his Master may have him again, shall be entitled to a Reward of FIVE POUNDS. EDWARD PARRISH. Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry off said Servant at their Peril.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 21, 1758
Run away, on the 10th of this Instant December, from William Kindell, of Kent County, Maryland, a Welsh Servant Man, but speaks good English, named John, alias William Philips, and took with him a dark roan Mare, her off Hind foot white , a Blaze in her Face, and a hanging Mane, with a half Hunting Saddle, and a yellow and white Saddle Cloth. Said Servant is about 5 Feet 9 Inches high, of a dark Complexion, round Face, black Eyes, Black Hair, and is lame, in his left Ancle [sic]. Had on when he went away, a brown Fly Coat, and a white Jacket, with black Buttons, whoever takes up said Servant and Mar, and secures them, so that said William Kindell may have them again, shall have Two Pistoles REward, and reasonable Charges, or for the Mare only, One Pistole, paid by WILLIAM KINDELL.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: August 20, 1761
Philadelphia, August 14, 1761. RUN away, on the 11th Instant, from the Subscriber, living in Donnegall Township, Lancaster County, an Irish Servant Man, named Peter McLane, about 30 Years of Age, 5 Feet 7 Inches high, wears his own short black Hair: Had on when he went away, a good Felt Hat, white lapelled Flannel Jacket, tied with Strings, a good white Shirt, Check Trowsers, and good Shoes, with Brass Buckles. He took with him a black horse, about 15 Hands high, with a Blaze to his Face, shod before, paces and trots, has four white Feet, branded I. S. on the near Buttock, and a Saddle, with green Cloth Housings. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant and Horse, so as the Subscriber may have them again, shall have Five Pounds Reward, and reasonable Charges, if brought Home and paid by
JOHN MEAS.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry off said Servant , at their Peril.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: August 1, 1765
RUN away from the Subscriber (about the 29th of June last) in New London Township, Chester County, at the Cross Roads, an Irish Servant Girl, named Jane Scott, came from Carrickfergus in the Sally, Capt. Taylor, about 20 Years of Age, of a middle Stature, rather low, of a clear open Countenance, black Hair, tolerable handsome: Had on, and took with her a Cotton Gown, light ground and purple sprig, a green and white striped Lincey Petticoat, two Shifts, a long white Linen Bed Gown, a red short Cloak, white Silk Bonnet, coarse Cotton Stockings, and old Worsted Shoes. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant , shall have Forty Shillings Reward, paid by Randle Mitchell, in Philadelphia, or the Subscriber,
ALEXANDER JOHNSTON.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 1, 1773
West Caln, November 24, 1773. RUN away from the subscriber, in the night of the 21st instant, an indented servant girl, a native of Ireland, named MARY BAILY; had on, and took with her, a red and white stuff gown, striped camblettee petticoat, blue stuff shoes, white yarn stockings, a plain muslin apron, one check ditto, a white linen handkerchief, a light blue bonnet, pretty much worn. Said servant is supposed to be gone off with a certain JOSEPH SILVIAN, by trade a shoemaker, a talkative drunken fellow, and was shipped from the city of Dublin to this country. Whoever takes up and secures said servant , so as her master may have her again, shall receive FOUR DOLLARS reward, and reasonable charges, if brought home, paid by
GEORGE LIGGETT.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Packet
Date: July 14, 1778
RAN AWAY on the 21st of January last from the subscriber, a Scotch servant girl named JENNY CAMERON, short and thick, of a dark complexion, has dark brown hair rolled on a string: Had on and took with her a new lincey petticoat and bed gown with brown and white stripes, a lincey petticoat, with red, black and white stripes, one under brown quilt, patched with different colours of linen, an under brown and white petticoat, two new hempen shifts, three lawn caps, four linen handkerchiefs, three white and one purple, two pair of yarn stockings, one blue and the other brown, strong shoes with leather heels, two white tow aprons, and is supposed to have check aprons. Whoever takes up said servant , and secures her in any jail, so that her master may have her again, shall have Ten Dollars reward and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN SPEAKMAN.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 8, 1737
RUN away on the 12th of Novemb. past, from the Subscriber, living in Sussex County, an Irish Servant Man named David Finly, by Trade a Blacksmith, of middle Stature, short dark Hair, and hath a scar on the right side of his upper Lip about an Inch long, which scare is up and down or Perpendicular: Was Clothes when he went away, with a checker'd Shirt, a blue and white stripp'd flannel Jacket, a seersucker Vest lin'd with Linnen, a white duroy close bodied Coat, a white old great Coat, a pair of white stockings newly footed, and a pair of ozenbrigs Trowsers, He rode on a white Horse, that has but one Eye. Whoever secures the said Servant , so that his Master may have him again, shall have Three Pounds Reward, and reasonable Charges paid by John Shankland.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: July 22, 1736
RUN away from William Beeks of New Castle , an English Servant Man named William Darlington , formerly a Servant to Jacob Metcalf , opposite to Philadelphia , and afterwards to George Hargrave back of Burlington , aged about 30 Years, of middle Stature, light brown strait Hair, brown Complexion, down look, wheyish Beard; Had on when he went away, a white corded Fustian Jacket, much worn and to big for him, good ozenbrig Shirt, new ozenbrigs Trowsers, Felt Hat. Note, He was sent to Town with Horses to return to New Castle, and has absented himself from the Three Tuns. Whosoever secures the said Servant so that he may be had again, shall have Thirty Shillings Reward and reasonable Charges paid. William Beeks.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: May 31, 1770
RUN away the 20th of May, from the subscriber, a servant man, named Daniel Thomas, he says that he is an Irishman, but I am firmly of opinion that he is country born, a cunning fellow, about 21 years of age, middle size, but very fat and clumsy, pretends he has been sick, which was the occasion of his becoming a servant ; I am informed that Michael Duffey, who sold him to me, gave him a writing before they parted which makes me think they have combined together to defraud me; had on, a drab coloured cloth jacket, an old white shirt, a wool hat, new tow trowsers, and old shoes, with steel buckles in them. He says he has lived in New Castle county, and never was but once in Philadelphia, though the man who sold him to me, told other people, that he had lived in Philadelphia a considerable time. Any person who secures said servant , so that I may get him again, shall receive Five Pounds, reward, and reasonable charges, from his master, living in West Nantmell, Chester county.
PETER HUNTER.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: May 6, 1736
ON the 15th Instant, an English Servant Man named John Galloway, belonging to Cornelius Tobit, made his Escape from William Tufft, Sub Sheriff of Salem County; he is about 22 Years of Age, pretty tall and slender, fresh coloured, a Roman Nose, wears his own Hair and has a down Look: Had on when he went away an old Beaver Hat, a good Silk blue and white Handkerchief, 3 or 4 homespun white Shirts, a striped woolen Jacket and Breeches, blue stuff Breeches, grey Stockings, and having a sore Heel wears his left Shoe slipshod. Whoever secures the said Servant so that he may be had again, shall have Three Pounds Reward paid by William Tufft.

[Angharad]

I don't see any familiar names in the posts that you made. I looked up some ancestors in a indentured servant list, but I only came up with one, the ancestor of Martin Van Buren, Cornelis Maessen.

He must have been a good boy and didn't run away, because the farm he lived on/bought after his indenture is now a big chunk of Greenwich Village.

[Electronic God-Man]

The following comes from the autobiography of William Moraley, an English indentured servant who spent his indenture in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. He later returned to England. It explains how people, at least in the British Isles, commonly entered into an indenture. This scene took place on the streets of London, 1729.


A man accosted me in the following manner. Sir, said he, I have for some time observ’d you, and fancy your Condition of Life is alter’d for the worse, and guess you have been in better Circumstances; but if you will take my Advice, I’ll make it my Business to find out some way which may be of Service to you. Perhaps you may imagine I have a Design to inveigle you, but I assure you I have none; and if you will accept of a Mug of Beer, I will impart what I have to propose to you.


Then he ask’d me, if I was bred to any Business. I told him, Watchmaking was my occupation. He said, he was afraid I would not do for any other Business, that being of little service to the Americans; the useful Trades being, Bricklayers, Shoemakers, Barbers, Carpenters, Joiners, Smiths, Weavers, Bakers, Tanners, and Husbandmen more useful than all the rest.

They drank two pints of beer together, Moraley signed up, and the man sent him on his way with other servants towards Philadelphia.
More on Moraley possible later...

But now I think it might be useful to go over a certain type of indentured servitude that was very important to Pennsylvania at least, the redemptioner style. This was used amongst the Germans from the Palatinate who were being sent to Pennsylvania.

The following quotations are from American Colonies: The Settlement of North America by Alan Taylor:


About three-quarters of the Germans landed in Philadelphia, the great magnet for colonial migration. During the late 1720’s about three ships, bearing a total of six hundred Germans, annually arrived in Philadelphia. By the early 1750’s some twenty ships and 5,600 Germans landed every year. Seeking farms, most emigrants filtered into rural Pennsylvania


About two-thirds of the (German) emigrants had sufficient means to pay their own way; the poorer third came as indentured servants. Sometimes parents could afford their own passage and that of younger children but had to indenture their adolescents, who had the highest value as laborers.


Migrant trade developed a relatively attractive form of indentured servitude adapted to the needs of families. Known as ‘redemptioners’, the Germans contracted to serve for about four to five years. Unlike other indentured servants, the redemptioner families had to be kept together by their employers and not divided for sale. Most contracts also gave the emigrant family a grace period of two weeks, upon arrival in Pennsylvania, to find a relative or acquaintance who would purchase their labor contract. Often arranged by prior correspondence, these deals afforded the emigrants some confidence in their destination and employer. If the two-week period passed, the redemption became open to general bidding from any colonist who needed laborers. After serving out their indentures, the redemptioners became free to seek out their own farms, usually on the frontier where land was cheaper.


The system worked well, because successful German farmers in Pennsylvania needed labor, preferred fellow Germans, and favored intact families. The redemptioner system accelerated the chain migration as the early migrants succeeded, reported their gains, encouraged friends and relatives to follow, and helped finance their journey by purchasing their contracts upon arrival.

I know of at least one German family I am descended from that emigrated in this manner. They (a husband and wife) worked on a farm in Bethlehem, PA for several years before they had paid their dues and were free.

[Ulf]

One thing to point out here is that (to Ulf's great disappointment) the "Dutch" described in the ads are actually Germans from the Palatinate not the Dutch as we would think of today. I have been wondering whether anyone has ever found an ancestor who at one point ran away from their servitude by looking through these newspaper ads.

Fortunately, none of my ancestors, that I know of, were in servitude. From the stories it seems we came here with enough money to at least purchase our own farms. Also, I don't know exactly what the Mennonite belief on 'slavery' is but I don't think we owned any slaves/servants either.

[Allenson]

Fortunately, none of my ancestors, that I know of, were in servitude. From the stories it seems we came here with enough money to at least purchase our own farms. Also, I don't know exactly what the Mennonite belief on 'slavery' is but I don't think we owned any slaves/servants either.

I haven't come across any servitude in my own genealogical searches either. That's of course not to say that there wasn't any, just that I haven't found it yet.

One of my forebearers though did squat for some years & even built a house & barn on someone else's land in the Catskills (later 1700s). And, many of my ancestors settled in the Hudson River valley where the Dutch Patroon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patroon) system was in play for a long time--particularly in Rensselaerwyck (which is now Albany & Rensselaer Counties). So, under this system, they built homes & farms, farmed the land but did not actually own the land itself but instead, had to cough up both crops & money every year to the Patroon as payment.

That is, until many of the famers of this area who wanted the option to buy the land from the Patroon staged the Anti-Rent War in the middle 1800s:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_1637_280/ai_88702710/

[Electronic God-Man]

The amount of indentured servants that were sent to the American colonies increases from New England to the Middle Colonies to the South. The South received, by far, the most servants while New England had relatively few. The regions had different economic systems in place. The South could use the most indentured servants, usually unskilled laborers, because of the plantation system. The Middle Colonies could use many servants that were skilled in some profession to work in the booming trades and businesses there, especially in New York City, Philadelphia, etcetera.

Here's some stuff about soldiers/sailors and convicted felons and how they made up a lot of the indentured servants.


Colonial emigration partially revived during the intervals of peace, when the crown demobilized thousands of soldiers and sailors, temporarily saturating the English labor market. Unable to find work, some people entered indentures for service in the colonies. Other demobilized men went unwillingly as convicted and transported criminals…Between 1718 and 1775, the empire transported about fifty thousand felons, more than half of all English emigrants to America during that period.


The crown generally paid three pounds per convict to shippers, who carried the felons to America for sale as indentured servants with especially long terms, usually fourteen years. The shippers’ profit came from combining the sales price (about twelve pounds) with the crown subsidy, less the cost of transportation (five to six pounds).

In order to fill the ranks of their army, the British recruited destitute poor off of the streets of cities and towns such as London. The process was not too different from the one used to indenture servants to be sent to the American colonies. Breaks in the war caused a flooding of cheap labor in Britain as those recruits were discharged from the army. With so many people in need of work and a great number of them unable to find any, many turned to petty crime. When arrested many chose to be sent away to the colonies as indentured servants with extended times of service (usually around 14 years) instead of face the harsh laws in Britain. Convicts from the British Isles were a substantial part of the total number of indentured servants sent to the American colonies.

Most convict indentured servants (around 80%) were sent to either Maryland or Virginia. They often had little or no skills in a trade.

[Bloodeagle]

I was wondering if this indentured servitude phenomenon might have been prevalent throughout all of the colonies or was it more common in Pennsylvania?

Was white servitude a condition of the North and black servitude a condition of the South?

My earliest American ancestors were quite active in the black servitude department.

[Loddfafner]

I was wondering if this indentured servitude phenomenon might have been prevalent throughout all of the colonies or was it more common in Pennsylvania?

Was white servitude a condition of the North and black servitude a condition of the South?

My earliest American ancestors were quite active in the black servitude department.

It was throughout the colonies, but from what I understand it was more prevalent in the South. The plantation owners first tried Indians as a labor source but they knew the lay of the land and ran off. Next they tried indentured servants. The plantation owners tried to get as much work out of them as possible so many were worked to death and others escaped into the hills and begat the Appalachian folk. Finally they switched to Africans who were more easily identified if they escaped. As they were now investment property, the plantation owners did not have the motive to work them to death as with the indentured servants.

[Jamt]

Seuthanan. Have you seen any other nationality than English, Irish Dutch and Germans?
And did poor Americans sell themselves or were forced in to similar servitude?

[Electronic God-Man]

Seuthanan. Have you seen any other nationality than English, Irish Dutch and Germans?
And did poor Americans sell themselves or were forced in to similar servitude?

Yes and yes.

Irish and Englishmen were the most prevalent in most cases except for Pennsylvania because of the Pennyslvania Dutch (Germans). I have found other ethnicities.

A Welshman:


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: December 21, 1758
Run away, on the 10th of this Instant December, from William Kindell, of Kent County, Maryland, a Welsh Servant Man, but speaks good English, named John, alias William Philips, and took with him a dark roan Mare, her off Hind foot white , a Blaze in her Face, and a hanging Mane, with a half Hunting Saddle, and a yellow and white Saddle Cloth. Said Servant is about 5 Feet 9 Inches high, of a dark Complexion, round Face, black Eyes, Black Hair, and is lame, in his left Ancle [sic]. Had on when he went away, a brown Fly Coat, and a white Jacket, with black Buttons, whoever takes up said Servant and Mar, and secures them, so that said William Kindell may have them again, shall have Two Pistoles Reward, and reasonable Charges, or for the Mare only, One Pistole, paid by WILLIAM KINDELL.


Several Frenchmen:

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: August 31, 1785
FOUR DOLLARS Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, a French servant man, named DAVID MARTIN, by trade a cordwainer, talks good English and broken German, about 20 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, fair complexion, dark brown hair, which is commonly cued, with a false tail; had on and took with him, when he went away, a corduroy jacket with sleeves, pieced at the bottom, white jacket and breeches of narrow corded dimity; one pair blue striped holland overalls, one pair of Russia sheeting ditto cut out, but not made up; he has taken part of his tools along with him, and will probably try to pass as a freemen. Whoever apprehends said servant , and secures him in any goal, so as his master may have him again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges, if brought home, paid by MARTIN SHUGART.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: July 24, 1755
Colts Creek, July 21, 1755. RUN away from Samuel Leonard, in Shewsbury, A French servant man, named Peter Barra, about 5 feet 6 inches high, of a pale complexion, has short brown hair, and speaks very broken English: Had on when he went away, A brown homespun jacket, with white metal buttons, tow shirt, an old felt hat, good leather breeches, with the same sort of buttons as the jacket, and a pair of tow trowsers. Whoever takes up and secures said servant , so as his master may have him again, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by SAMUEL LEONARD.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: January 2, 1772
Philadelphia, December 28, 1771. RUN away from JOHN WOOD, on the 23d instant, a French servant man, that speaks very little English, named BENJAMIN CREUSE, by trade a Watchmaker, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, well set, of a dark complexion, and chearful countenance, wears his own hair: Had on a brown broadcloth suit of clothes, with yellow metal buttons, a beaver hat, and worsted stockings. He stole a parcel of watch materials, and a watch cock, with a diamond in the center. Whoever apprehends the said servant , shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS reward.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: May 21, 1772
FORTY SHILLINGS Reward. RUN away from the subscribers, a French servant man, named John Baptist Gilman, between 21 and 22 years of age, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, slim built, has short black hair, tied behind, and is of a swarthy complexion : Had on, when he went away, a short new green coat, with white metal buttons, calicoe jacket, twilled drawers, grey thread stockings, new shoes, and metal buckles, a new light blue handkerchief, bordered with white, and an old felt hat, cocked sharp in the French fashion, speaks very bad English. Whoever takes up said Servant , so that his masters may have him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JAMES PLUNKET, or JOHN REINHART.
All Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry him off.


A Spaniard, who ran away at least twice from the same master. Look at the dates and names. :D:

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: July 12, 1775
JULY 9, 1775.
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD. RUN away, last night, from the subscriber, a Spanish servant man, named Francisco Deherara, about 5 feet 7 inches high, dark complexion, very black beard, had a very large scar on the fore finger of his left hand; had on, when he went away, a black grey jacket, homespun shirt and tow trowsers, country strong shoes, with strings. Whoever takes up said servant , and secures him, so that his master may get him, shall have the above reward, paid by JONATHAN JOHNSON.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: May 8, 1776
FORTY SHILLINGS Reward. RUN away from the subscriber, living in New Garden township, Chester county, on Friday, the 26th day of April last past, a Spanish servant man, named Francisco de Herarra, about 31 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, a well set fellow, of a very dark complexion, with long black hair, tied behind, speaks bad English; had on, when he went away, a half worn wool hat, an old light coloured cloth jacket, much worn, an under ditto, of a mixed brown and white colour, tow shirt and trowsers, a hogskin apron, a pair of blue and brown woollen yarn stockings, and strong leather pumps or brogues, tied with firings; said servant has had a very bad cut on the fore finger of his left hand, which renders it useless; he likewise has a remarkable mark on the inside of each arm, put in with powder or the like; it is likely he is in or about Philadelphia. Whoever secures said servant , so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JONATHAN JOHNSON.


Scots:

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: July 14, 1763
RUN away on the 8th Instant from the Subscriber, living on Society hill, a Servant Man, named George Douglass, about 40 Years of age, pretends to be a Gardiner, is of a swarthy Complexion, thin faced, wears his own Hair, about 5 Feet 7 Inches high, speaks very low and weak, says he was born in Scotland, and talks very good English: Had on when he went away, a brownish coarse Cloth Jacket, a Pair of old white Ticking Breeches, Yarn Stockings, a air of new Shoes, Brass Buckles, and an old felt Hat. He can talk Spanish and French, and has been a Rebel in the Pretender Army. It is likely he may alter his Name, as he has a false Pass with him, and perhaps he may change his own Name so as to answer the one in the Pass. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant , so that his Master may have him again, shall have, if 20 Miles from home, Three Pounds Ten Shillings; if 30 Miles from home, Four Pounds Ten Shillings; if 40 Miles from home, Five Pounds; and if 100 Miles from home Six Pounds Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by me SIMON SHERLOCK.


Publication: The Pennsylvania Packet
Date: July 14, 1778
RAN AWAY on the 21st of January last from the subscriber, a Scotch servant girl named JENNY CAMERON, short and thick, of a dark complexion, has dark brown hair rolled on a string: Had on and took with her a new lincey petticoat and bed gown with brown and white stripes, a lincey petticoat, with red, black and white stripes, one under brown quilt, patched with different colours of linen, an under brown and white petticoat, two new hempen shifts, three lawn caps, four linen handkerchiefs, three white and one purple, two pair of yarn stockings, one blue and the other brown, strong shoes with leather heels, two white tow aprons, and is supposed to have check aprons. Whoever takes up said servant , and secures her in any jail, so that her master may have her again, shall have Ten Dollars reward and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN SPEAKMAN.


An Italian:

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: October 10, 1751
Run away, on the 2d of this inst. from Hance Hamilton, Esq; high sheriff, of the county of York, two servant men, the one a Low Dutch man, named Adam Massacre, about 23 years of age, country born, was bred up a farmer, and has been on the Canada expedition, speaks good English, is about 5 feet 10 inches high, a slim fellow, with short brown hair: Had on when he went away, a dark colourbearskin jacket, a good linnen shirt, coarse trowsers, half worn shoes, with square steel buckles, and thread stockings: Took with him likewise from his master a gun, brass mounted. with a bayonet in the butt. The other an Italian , speaks very bad English, his true name is James Marier, but sometimes calls himself Lawrence, a well set fellow, of a low stature, with short black Hair, of a very dark complexion; bred up a sailor, pretends to speak French, and several other languages: Had on when he went away, a half worn brown coloured coat, with mohair buttons, much too big for him, brown linnen shirt, coarse trowsers, half worn shoes, with buckles in them not fellows, and an old felt hat. Whoever takes up the said servants, and secures them, so that their master may have them again, shall have for the Dutchman, Three Pistoles reward, and for the Italian Two Pistoles, and reasonable charges for both, paid by HANCE HAMILTON.
N.B. All masters of vessels are forbid to carry them off at their peril.


Americans:

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: May 21, 1761
RUN away, on Thursday Night last from Joshua McDowell, at the Blue Ball, in London Britain Township, Chester County, a Servant Man, named Jesse Munrow, this Country born, about 5 Feet 11 Inches high, about 19 Years of Age, has sandy Hair: Had on a yellowish Coat, white Shirt, and old Sheep skin Breeches. He has a Stoppage in his Speech. Whoever secures said Servant , so that his Master may have him again, shall have three Pounds, and reasonable Charges, paid by Captain John Singleton, or JOSHUA MCDOWELL. May 10, 1761.

Many times it is not explicitly stated if they were born in America.

Also, many of these people who were not English took English names, so it is near impossible to tell in some cases. Here is an example where someone is looking for their servant, who he names as Alexander Simson. As a note at the end however, he says that he calls himself Kennedy and is Scottish.

Publication: The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: April 11, 1765
RUN away from the Subscriber, living in Augusta, Virginia, a Servant Man, named Alexander Simson: had on, when he went away, a Sort of grey Coat, brown Jacket, black Leather Breeches, mended with blue Cloth, white Stockings, about 45 Years of Age, of a low Stature, well made, much Pock pitted, a Book binder by Trade, and a very good Scholar. Whoever secures said Servant , so that his Master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, paid by THOMAS STEWART.
N.B. He passes by the Name of Kennedy, and is a Scotch man.


I actually did try to look for different nationalities and these are what I had come up with. I will look again for others and post them if I find them. No doubt there were probably actual Dutchmen, Scandinavians, and so on as well. But the numbers would have been very low.

[Electronic God-Man]

I found this one about a Swiss girl in Boston:

Paper: Boston News-Letter
Date: From Monday January 28, to Monday February 4, 1711
Ran-away from her mistress Sarah Wharton of Boston the 13th of January last, A Swiss servant Maid, named Anna Maria Barbara Collier, aged about 10 years, of a fresh colour, well fed, has a lump on her throat under her chin, had on when she went away a Stuff Gown and Petticoat strip’d with white and sad coloured Stripes…etc.


Here is a great story about a Portuguese boy who was kidnapped in his youth and was to be sold as a slave or indentured servant but ended up being a hero in the American Revolution. Peter Francisco is best known for his giant size and incredible strength.


Peter Francisco: American Revolutionary War Hero
On the morning of June 23, 1765, a ship dropped anchor in the James River at City Point, now a part of Hopewell, Virginia. A longboat was lowered to the water, and two sailors rowed it to the wharf, where they deposited a young boy. The sailors left, and the ship immediately slipped back down the river. Thus Peter Francisco arrived in the New World.
Found sitting on the dock, the boy appeared to be 5 years old and large for his age; later research seems to indicate that he was a few weeks short of 5. Olive-skinned, with black hair and dark eyes, he had a brave bearing and an engaging manner despite his predicament. He spoke a foreign gibberish — what might have been Portuguese mixed with French, or Spanish — and kept repeating the name ‘Pedro Francisco.’
His soiled suit was of the very best quality, with fine lace collar and cuffs, and on his shoes were silver buckles bearing the initials ‘P.F.’ Peter Francisco, as he was promptly called by the English colonists who found him, would grow up to become the strongest and the most remarkable private soldier of the American Revolution, a man whose legendary exploits are remembered even today.
For the moment, however, the boy had all the needs of any other orphan. City Point’s town fathers found an unused bed in a dock warehouse, housewives arranged for him to be well fed and the old watchman on the wharf guarded him at night. As the story of Peter Francisco’s mystifying appearance spread, Judge Anthony Winston, an uncle of famed orator Patrick Henry, investigated. He liked the boy and took him, as an indentured servant, to his sprawling plantation on the old Lynchburg?Richmond stage road.
Attempts at unraveling the mystery of Francisco’s origins, passage and arrival in America have led historical researchers to laudable efforts but uncertain results. Robert McKee of Tennessee studied Spanish Court records and learned of a small boy whose father, ‘the head of the House of Francisco, was in severe disfavor with the King and a secret order had been given that one of the Francisco children be killed to atone for the father’s guilt.’ The boy suddenly disappeared, but the deed was not done and the father apparently had to do his own atoning. McKee’s research seems to be at the root of the often-cited theory that young Pedro’s own parents arranged his kidnapping and transportation to Britain’s American Colonies for his own safety.
Far more plausible are the results of painstaking studies conducted in 1960 by John E. Manahan of the University of Virginia. Manahan spent seven months researching in the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge and Terceira in the Portuguese Azores. His efforts paid off on Terceira, where he uncovered in the seaside town of Porto Judeu the birth record, family history and even the parental home of a Pedro Francisco, who some have suggested was the very same boy whom the Colonists found at City Point and called Peter Francisco.
After learning some English, Francisco explained to his new friends that he recalled living in a mansion by the sea. His father was a shadowy figure in his mind, but he remembered a little sister and a beautiful mother whom he loved. Although he was never able to recall the name of his native country, he did retain some memories of what likely were the last moments of his life at home.
He was playing with his sister in the garden of his parents’ home when two sailors lured the children to the garden gate with cakes or toys. Opening the gate, the men seized both children. The girl managed to escape, but the kidnappers threw a blanket over Francisco and carried him off to their waiting ship.
Azorean historian Pedro de Merelim deemed the kidnapping a routine atrocity, likely the work of Algerian corsairs. ‘We all know how they infested these islands,’ he wrote in 1978, ‘and ravaged their peoples.’


You can read the rest of the story, continuing on with his role in the Rev. War here. http://www.historynet.com/peter-francisco-american-revolutionary-war-hero.htm

[Barreldriver]

It was throughout the colonies, but from what I understand it was more prevalent in the South. The plantation owners first tried Indians as a labor source but they knew the lay of the land and ran off. Next they tried indentured servants. The plantation owners tried to get as much work out of them as possible so many were worked to death and others escaped into the hills and begat the Appalachian folk. Finally they switched to Africans who were more easily identified if they escaped. As they were now investment property, the plantation owners did not have the motive to work them to death as with the indentured servants.


That sounds about right to me, I also have one of these "White" servants in my lineage, Moses Cleveland migrated from Ipswich, England and was a servant and apprentice under the Winn family, he was later released and married the Winn daughter. If my memory serves me right he entered himself into servitude since he was written out of his inheritance or something. It was a way to get to America and start a new life.

[Loyalist]

I am only descended from one indentured servant as far as I know; a Welshman who settled in Maryland in the early 17th century. All of my other colonial forbears were apparently of sufficient means to pay their own way across the Atlantic, and later for their own tracts of land. On the same note, however, I have come across a number slaveholders in my lineage.

[Barreldriver]

I am only descended from one indentured servant as far as I know; a Welshman who settled in Maryland in the early 17th century. All of my other colonial forbears were apparently of sufficient means to pay their own way across the Atlantic, and later for their own tracts of land. On the same note, however, I have come across a number slaveholders in my lineage.

Mine settled in Massachusetts. He is supposedly descendant from Thorkil de Cliveland, the only way I'd accept that is if all of his forefathers were proven to be 100% faithful to their spouses, going back that far there's a high chance for "unfaithfulness" and adoptions to occur so I just keep that in the back of my mind whenever I mention Thorkil lol. My Cleveland family eventually did well for themselves, after all they were U.S. president material lol.

[Electronic God-Man]

I found this great timeline of documents tracing a man named James Best from the time of his signing up for an indenture in England to his arrival in Philadelphia to his actual sale to a David Rittenhouse.

And by the way, this first document shows well how a Redemption indenture worked, notice it says that he will be free if he can pay the 15 pounds within 21 days of arrival in Philadelphia.


An indenture was a legal contract enforced by the courts. One indenture reads as follows:

This INDENTURE Witnesseth that James Best a Laborer doth Voluntarily put himself Servant to Captain Stephen Jones Master of the Snow Sally to serve the said Stephen Jones and his Assigns, for and during the full Space, Time and Term of three Years from the first Day of the said James’ arrival in Philadelphia in AMERICA, during which Time or Term the said Master or his Assigns shall and will find and supply the said James with sufficient Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and all other necessaries befitting such a Servant, and at the end and expiration of said Term, the said James to be made Free, and receive according to the Custom of the Country. Provided nevertheless, and these Presents are on this Condition, that if the said James shall pay the said Stephen Jones or his Assigns 15 Pounds British in twenty one Days after his arrival he shall be Free, and the above Indenture and every Clause therein, absolutely Void and of no Effect. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto interchangeably put their Hands and Seals the 6th Day of July in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Three in the Presence of the Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of London. (signatures)

When the ship arrived, the captain would often advertise in a newspaper that indentured servants (redemptioners) were for sale:

Just imported, on board the Snow Sally, Captain Stephen Jones, Master, from England, A number of healthy, stout English and Welsh Servants and Redemptioners, and a few Palatines [Germans], amongst whom are the following tradesmen, viz. Blacksmiths, watch-makers, coppersmiths, taylors, shoemakers, ship-carpenters and caulkers, weavers, cabinet-makers, ship-joiners, nailers, engravers, copperplate printers, plasterers, bricklayers, sawyers and painters. Also schoolmasters, clerks and book-keepers, farmers and labourers, and some lively smart boys, fit for various other employments, whose times are to be disposed of. Enquire of the Captain on board the vessel, off Walnut-street wharff, or of MEASE and CALDWELL.

When a buyer was found, the sale would be recorded at the city court. The Philadelphia Mayor’s Court Indenture Book, page 742, for September 18, 1773 has the following entry:

James Best. Who was under Indenture of Redemption to Captain Stephen Jones now cancelled in consideration of £ 15, paid for his Passage from London bound a servant to David Rittenhouse of the City of Philadelphia & assigns three years to befound all necessaries.


I'm not sure what the Rittenhouse family was all about, but they must have been a very important and wealthy colonial family here in Philadelphia. We have a place named Rittenhouse Square in the City.

Below is a picture of an actual Indenture Agreement for some other person, Henry Meyer from Germantown (also in Philadelphia) in 1738:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/Indenturecertificate.jpg

[Electronic God-Man]

This isn't European servitude but I was so surprised to see this that I have to post it. I came across a few suggestions that sub-continental Indians had been brought to the American colonies by the British East India Company and I started looking things up:


The first South Asians may have been brought to Virginia within a generation of the arrival of European settlers-as early as 1624.

As America celebrates its 400th anniversary this year, among the population are descendants of South Asians whose history extends back 375 years to colonial Virginia: people referred to in court documents of the time as "East Indians" or "Asiatic Indians." They came to be identified variously as "Mullato" "Negro" and "colored" in the ethnic cauldron that was evolving in America, losing much of their racial distinctiveness with each passing generation, merging into the African American community, and largely unaware of their links to the Indian subcontinent.

But two decades of meticulous research by members of this population group, historians and sociologists has produced exciting evidence of not only their presence in early America, but their driving desire to emulate in their own lives what would become the ethos of this "new" land-a striving for personal freedom. Research suggests that South Asians were transported as indentured servants or as slaves by Dutch, French, English and, later, American trading vessels. Yet the records of county courts along the eastern coast show that many of these transported "East Indians" were soon suing their "masters" to regain their freedom or simply running away.

There is considerable evidence that seamen were recruited from Indian ports by European trading ships, and, on reaching Europe, succumbed to the promises of agents who enlisted indentured workers for the New World. Or they were taken as servants by East India Company officials who returned home to England and thence to the newly established colonies in America. We will never know their true names or their original homes in South Asia. It's likely they hailed from ports in Bengal, Madras, Pondicherry, Malabar, Mumbai and Goa as well as Mauritius, Madagascar and South Africa, where the ships routinely sailed.

Much of the evidence of South Asians in early America is found in old newspaper advertisements seeking help to retrieve runaway slaves.

On July 13, 1776, the Virginia Gazette reported the escape of a "Servant Man named John Newton, about 20 Years of Age, 5 feet 5 or 6 Inches high, slender made, is an Asiatic Indian by Birth, has been about twelve Months in Virginia, but lived ten Years (as he says) in England, in the Service of Sir Charles Whitworth. He wears long black Hair, which inclines to curl, tied behind, and pinned up at the Sides…He left his Master on the Road from Williamsburg, between King William Courthouse and Todd's Bridge, where he was left behind to come on slowly with a tired Horse..." The advertisement goes on: "He is a good Barber and Hair-Dresser, it is probable he may endeavour to follow those Occupations as a free Man. Whoever takes up the said Servant, and secures him in Gaol, giving me information thereof, so that I may get him again, shall have eight dollars Reward; and if delivered to me...further reasonable Charges, paid by William Brown."

It appears that Newton made good his escape. Brown placed another ad six days later, raising the reward to $10. More such snippets are compiled by Thomas Costa, a history professor at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, for the Virginia Center for Digital History and Electronic Text Center. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/subjects/runaways/allrecords.html

At the heart of the early migration to colonial America was the headright system designed to encourage immigration. Every Englishman who "imported" a laborer or servant to the colony received a 20-hectare land grant. Each "head" gave the importer a "right" to land; thus, headright.

A 2006 archaeological report from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation identifies George Menefie as a wealthy English merchant who was assigned 485 hectares in Williamsburg, near Jamestown. He arrived in Virginia in 1622, and obtained a right to the land by paying passage for 24 immigrants, including an East Indian, named Tony, identified as a headright. Menefie got land in Jamestown in the same fashion. This evidence suggests that the first South Asians may have been brought to Virginia within a generation of the arrival of European settlers-as early as 1624.

There is more evidence from Paul Heinegg, a retired engineer in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, a leading archival researcher and author. He has spent 20 years investigating primary sources to reconstruct the geneologies of people of color in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina and South Carolina. "Many people from India lived in England and came to the colonies as servants. I found a number who sued for their freedom in Maryland and some in Virginia. They blended into the free African American population," says Heinegg.

His principal sources are the colonial-era county court order and minute books-nearly 1,000 manuscript volumes now preserved on microfilm. Also important are the national tax lists, deeds, wills and estate accounts, late 18th- and 19th-century free Negro Registers, marriage bonds, colonial parish registers, census records, newspapers, and Revolutionary War pension files.

Heinegg chronicles the earliest Indian American family trees in his book Free African Americans of North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. In March 2007, Heinegg added to his Web site additional information on indentured servants and slaves from India: www.freeafricanamericans. com/East_Indians.htm

Here are some examples of his finds in colonial records:

Lancaster County: William Weaver, born say 1686, and Jack Weaver, East Indy Indians, sued Thomas Pinkard for their freedom in Lancaster County court on 13 August 1707. The court allowed them five days time to produce evidence relating to their freedom but ordered them not to depart the county to some remote county without giving security to return to their master within the time allowed. Neither party appeared for the trial on 10 March 1707/8.

Richmond County: 6 February 1705/6, Petition of Sembo, an East India Indian Servant to Jno. Lloyd, Esq., for his freedom. Petition of Moota, an East India Indian, servant to Capt. Thomas Beale, surviving executor of Mr. William Colston, deced., for his freedom...ordered and judged that said Moota be free...ordered and adjudged that said Sembo be free.

Westmoreland County: March 1708, Will an East India Indian late a supposed slave to Mr. Danll Neale by his Petition to this Court setting forth that some tyme in yeare 1689 being fraudulently trappand out of his Native Country in the East Indies and thence transported to England and soon after brought into this Country and sold as a slave to Mr. Christopher Neale deceased father of his sd present Master And that hee had ever since faithfully served the sd Christopher and Daniel Notwithstanding which the sd Daniel though often demanded denied him his freedome And the sd Daniel being summoned to answer the sd complaint appeared and both parties Submitted the whole matter of the complaint to the Court All which being maturely & fully heard It is considered by the Court that the sd Will ought not to have been sold as a slave and that he is a freeman.

Stafford County: Martha Gamby, born say 1675, was an (East) Indian woman living in England on 5 January 1701/2 when Henry Conyers made an agreement with her that she would serve him in Virginia on condition that he would pay her passage back to England if she wished to return within the following four years. The agreement was recorded in Stafford County court about 1704.

Such documentation provides historians with indisputable evidence for the earliest historical link between people from the Indian subcontinent and America. This allows Asian Americans and African Americans, particularly those with South Asian ancestry, to re-vision their history and claim their full heritage.

Was anyone else aware of this? I certainly wasn't. I suppose some Blacks must have Indian ancestors as well.

[Barreldriver]

This isn't European servitude but I was so surprised to see this that I have to post it. I came across a few suggestions that sub-continental Indians had been brought to the American colonies by the British East India Company and I started looking things up:



Was anyone else aware of this? I certainly wasn't. I suppose some Blacks must have Indian ancestors as well.

This may explain some Melungeon groups.

[Angharad]

My understanding is that most of the East Indians went to the Caribbean. However a few may have found their way to the states as well.

[Electronic God-Man]

My understanding is that most of the East Indians went to the Caribbean. However a few may have found their way to the states as well.

Did you read it? The accounts are from different counties in Virginia.

[Angharad]

Yes, that would be the few that were in Virginia, and that would be just about the only way that Melungeons would have South Asian/East Indian ancestry.

I was just stating that East Indian ancestry was more common in the Caribbean.

[Osweo]

Do we know who came up with this system and the thinking behind it? Quite an interesting self-financing idea - did it just appear more or less spontaneously? Who made the money out of it? Ships' captains?

Are there any spaces left? I'm getting a bit bored here, and New World adventure might be an experience. Anyone on the forum fancy taking me on as indentured farmhand? :p

[Electronic God-Man]

Do we know who came up with this system and the thinking behind it? Quite an interesting self-financing idea - did it just appear more or less spontaneously? Who made the money out of it? Ships' captains?


Great question! Let me see if I can't find out.


Are there any spaces left? I'm getting a bit bored here, and New World adventure might be an experience. Anyone on the forum fancy taking me on as indentured farmhand? :p

I don't have a farm...how about a butler? My place is a wreck right now.

[Electronic God-Man]

I think the system just occurred naturally. I also think the ships' captains benefited the most, because they found a way to be ensured of payment for transport and more people to transport.

In this way they were sure to be paid up front for taking people across the Atlantic. The alternative of having the people who are going pay up-front would have meant far fewer would have gone and business would have been horrible. Actually, it seems like only the logical way to make money off of the deal. You have lots of poor people that are at least somewhat willing to strike off to a new place, but they have no money, so you need someone to pay for them. They can work it off later, and the captain doesn't have to worry about that, it's the problem of whoever "hired" them then.

[Electronic God-Man]

For Osweo: I'm not familiar enough with the shipping system of the time to determine whether it was individual captains or shipping syndicates that were running these operations. I'm not sure that many shipping syndicates existed beyond the West Indies companies, etc. :confused: I don't truly know.

[Barreldriver]

I do know that a lot of these indentured servants used their servitude as a means to gain a certain tract of land and passage to the Colonies. My ancestor that did it signed himself on as an indentured servant so that by the end of his service he would have been a known individual in the Colonies by the reputation of the person he served and he would have a 50 acre tract of land for payment.

Or in the case of my Cleveland ancestor, he used indentured servitude as a way to gain an apprenticeship and a bride.

Sort of similar to a bride price/bride service concept.

[Stefan]

I don't have my mother's PA German side tracked enough, and her English ancestor came in the 1800s, so I don't know if I have any servants or runaway servants in my ancestry. This is a very good and interesting thread though, and if I ever find a servant in my ancestry I will let you know. :) Something that interests me, is how they denoted complexion back then. I've seen Red, Brown, Pale, Dark, Swarthy and a whole bunch of colors denoted for just European settlers. Many of which were Northern Europeans as well. Things seem to have changed, I guess.

[Electronic God-Man]

I do know that a lot of these indentured servants used their servitude as a means to gain a certain tract of land and passage to the Colonies. My ancestor that did it signed himself on as an indentured servant so that by the end of his service he would have been a known individual in the Colonies by the reputation of the person he served and he would have a 50 acre tract of land for payment.

Sort of similar to a bride price/bride service concept.

In fact, many settlers were enticed to make this trek by offers of land once they finished their indenture. In the early days of the colonization this happened without many problems. However, in the South good, fertile land started to become scarce and indentured servants were being given inferior plots of land. Eventually there was no land at all to give between the settlers and the Indian backcountry.

The refusal of the big planters and the governor to take away land from the Indians in the backcountry, who were incredibly valuable to them due to the fur trade, infuriated many indentured servants who felt cheated. This led to Bacon's Rebellion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon%27s_Rebellion) in Virginia. You can read the rest for yourselves.

[Osweo]

50 acre tract of land ... an apprenticeship and a bride.
Man, this deal's sounding sweeter and sweeter! Where do I sign? :D

[Electronic God-Man]

Something that interests me, is how they denoted complexion back then. I've seen Red, Brown, Pale, Dark, Swarthy and a whole bunch of colors denoted for just European settlers. Many of which were Northern Europeans as well. Things seem to have changed, I guess.

The world has become much smaller since then. Ben Franklin even called the Swedes "swarthy" compared to the English. He also did not consider Swedes, Finns, or Germans (except Saxons) "White".

The term "White" has evolved to an incredible degree. Even you're white nowadays, amigo. ;)

[Barreldriver]

Man, this deal's sounding sweeter and sweeter! Where do I sign? :D

Do you have "connections"? :D

[Electronic God-Man]

Man, this deal's sounding sweeter and sweeter! Where do I sign? :D

Osweo's descendants would be old stock Americans by now had he lived back then. :cool:

[Osweo]

Do you have "connections"? :D

I'll er... bring my sister. Is that enough? :D


Osweo's descendants would be old stock Americans by now had he lived back then. :cool:

You betcha. :thumbs up Rootin an tootin in the Ozarks, no doubt...

[Electronic God-Man]

You betcha. :thumbs up Rootin an tootin in the Ozarks, no doubt...

Osweo's would-be great-great-great-great-X-granddaughter in the Ozarks:
yljP2qyk6BU

BTW, this lady is AWESOME. :thumb001:

[The Lawspeaker]

Man, this deal's sounding sweeter and sweeter! Where do I sign? :D
Yap. Where do I need to put down an X ?

[Barreldriver]

I'll er... bring my sister. Is that enough? :D





Wa' she look like? :D

[Stefan]

The world has become much smaller since then. Ben Franklin even called the Swedes "swarthy" compared to the English. He also did not consider Swedes, Finns, or Germans (except Saxons) "White".

The term "White" has evolved to an incredible degree. Even you're white nowadays, amigo. ;)

Oh so that was when the term "White" actually made sense and didn't denote race. I don't know how Swedes were considered darker than the English though. :crazy: If that is what denotes "White" then I definitely am not white, neither are my parents. Maybe I was white when I was a baby that is it.

[Electronic God-Man]

Oh so that was when the term "White" actually made sense and didn't denote race. I don't know how Swedes were considered darker than the English though. :crazy: If that is what denotes "White" then I definitely am not white, neither are my parents. Maybe I was white when I was a baby that is it.

White meant English.

But (and honestly I don't have the time to go into the depth this subject deserves), the term "White" has a very long and complex history, which makes a whole lot of sense once you know this history.

In short, it had to do with the triple division of the main people in the colonies: English, Injun, and Negro. The term was later expanded to make room for other Euros...and it kept on expanding until we get this notion that we have today that even North Africans are White.

Honestly, it deserves an entire in-depth study. Look into it if you have the time and interest (steer clear of liberal works that just want to conclude that the whole idea has always been incomprehensible).

[Jamt]

The world has become much smaller since then. Ben Franklin even called the Swedes "swarthy" compared to the English. He also did not consider Swedes, Finns, or Germans (except Saxons) "White".

The term "White" has evolved to an incredible degree. Even you're white nowadays, amigo. ;)

William Penn had opinions on the Swedish/Finn settlers in Pennsylvania, mildly patronizing if I remember correct. I can’t find the actual quotes.

[Stefan]

White meant English.

But (and honestly I don't have the time to go into the depth this subject deserves), the term "White" has a very long and complex history, which makes a whole lot of sense once you know this history.


Even then, in your reports, all of the English weren't labeled as "white". Most were actually labeled as dark or some "red". From what I understand, "White", was to differ the Euros from Blacks and Indians, as you mentioned. It seemed to be a general term, having many "actual" skin tones under it such as Translucent, Dark, Opaque, Swarthy, Pale, etc. These were just regular adjectives, and weren't consistently used.

This classification definitely isn't exclusive to the English language either. I've heard the word "Blanca" before to describe light/white skin Hispanics and Spaniards, even if they were mix breeds. Actually there is a reason to believe that this classification by color actually originated from the Spanish and Portuguese. Just look at the word "Negro". It is the deviation of the Latin root for "black" in both of these languages.

What I was mainly interested in, was how skin color wasn't so prevalent in denoting race back then. Today, that is all the average person sees as the difference between race. When in fact it is probably one of the least important factors. It seems to me, that back in colonial times, skin color was more dependent on the individual when discussed, than a certain group. Similar to how we denote hair and eye color as individual qualities today. As you said, it wasn't until far after the introduction of other more 'distinct' groups such as Africans, and Natives where it became commonplace to just label Euro-descendants as "White".

[Electronic God-Man]

Even then, in your reports, all of the English weren't labeled as "white". Most were actually labeled as dark or some "red".

I just want to say here that yes, people were labeled as "dark", "red", etc but it was within the context of being British. There are PLENTY of British people who could be labeled "swarthy" (I'm looking at you Osweo ;) ) or "red" within the narrow scope of those from the British Isles.

Compared to an African, however, even the swarthiest Brit is lily-white.

[Andorran]

William Penn had opinions on the Swedish/Finn settlers in Pennsylvania, mildly patronizing if I remember correct. I can’t find the actual quotes.

I believe it. I read a book years ago that seemed to point to his being a little holier-than-thou. Did you know he sat on the only witch trial in the history of PA? (At least the only "official" one anyway).

[Electronic God-Man]

I believe it. I read a book years ago that seemed to point to his being a little holier-than-thou. Did you know he sat on the only witch trial in the history of PA? (At least the only "official" one anyway).

Yes, he did. And he found the Swedish (quite possibly Finnish) woman innocent of committing a crime...regardless of whether or not she was a witch!

His actual judgement was something like, "there is no law against riding your broomstick through the air at night!".

(I rule at colonial history! I don't even need to look this shit up, I just know! muahahaha!) :p :cool:

[Stefan]

Compared to an African, however, even the swarthiest Brit is lily-white.

We are in agreement here. The only problem I have with this statement, is that if you put any European in general next to an intermediate African tone, they will look "lily white". Actually I'd say even a few non-Europeans like some NorthEast Asian groups would look "lily white". ;)

[Electronic God-Man]

We are in agreement here. The only problem I have with this statement, is that if you put any European in general next to an intermediate African tone, they will look "lily white". Actually I'd say even a few non-Europeans like some NorthEast Asian groups would look "lily white". ;)

You must have misunderstood.

The English colonists had absolutely no reason to consider other Europeans in their system. They were the absolute majority. Especially if we count other British Islanders.

They just didn't have to think about Polaks or Eye-ties or Dagos at all. It was not a fact of life. People in the colonies were overwhelmingly British or the Germans, largely concentrated in Pennsylvania, who Penn makes an exception for by saying some are "Saxon" (because he knows English are Anglo-SAXON)

Skin color has honestly NEVER had much to do with it, except for those people that could not understand it in anything but the CRUDEST terms. It was a system based loosely on skin color, inasmuch as it, at the time, demarcated English Protestants from all other groups.


I hope this makes sense to you.

[Andorran]

Yes, he did. And he found the Swedish (quite possibly Finnish) woman innocent of committing a crime...regardless of whether or not she was a witch!

His actual judgement was something like, "there is no law against riding your broomstick through the air at night!".

(I rule at colonial history! I don't even need to look this shit up, I just know! muahahaha!) :p :cool:

You are pretty damn good, but I just pulled a book off the shelf claiming the following is the verbatim record from the first volume of the Colonial Records of PA, in the witchcraft trial of Margaret Mattson (a Swedish immigrant):

"The Jury went forth and upon their returne brought her in guilty of haveing the common fame of a witch, but not guilty in matter and forme as Shee stand indicted". (actual spellings)

And the punishment:

"Neels Mattson and Antho. Neelson enters into a recognizance of fifty punds apiece, for the good behavior of Margaret Mattson for six months."

[Stefan]

You must have misunderstood.

The English colonists had absolutely no reason to consider other Europeans in their system. They were the absolute majority. Especially if we count other British Islanders.

They just didn't have to think about Polaks or Eye-ties or Dagos at all. It was not a fact of life. People in the colonies were overwhelmingly British or the Germans, largely concentrated in Pennsylvania, who Penn makes an exception for by saying some are "Saxon" (because he knows English are Anglo-SAXON)

Skin color has honestly NEVER had much to do with it, except for those people that could not understand it in anything but the CRUDEST terms. It was a system based loosely on skin color, inasmuch as it, at the time, demarcated English Protestants from all other groups.


I hope this makes sense to you.

It does make perfect sense, and that is why I noted skin color as being thought of as an individual trait back then. It is the same thing with Hair and Eye color. While they are tones exclusive mostly to Europids and mixed breeds they are thought of as individual traits in a euro-descendant dominated society, not racial ones. That is what I was trying to point out with the one paragraph of my first post. It wasn't a big deal, just a little difference I noticed. Also, I love the terms you use; Polaks, Eye-Ties, and Dagos. They are great. I actually never heard the last two before, but google fixed that. :)

[Electronic God-Man]

You are pretty damn good, but I just pulled a book off the shelf claiming the following is the verbatim record from the first volume of the Colonial Records of PA, in the witchcraft trial of Margaret Mattson (a Swedish immigrant):

"The Jury went forth and upon their returne brought her in guilty of haveing the common fame of a witch, but not guilty in matter and forme as Shee stand indicted". (actual spellings)

And the punishment:

"Neels Mattson and Antho. Neelson enters into a recognizance of fifty punds apiece, for the good behavior of Margaret Mattson for six months."

Yes, you are correct and I remember this, but she was not charged AS a witch only as seeming to be a witch by popular outcry. Very different, and very telling. Penn would not have her punished as being a Witch.

[Andorran]

Yes, you are correct and I remember this, but she was not charged AS a witch only as seeming to be a witch by popular outcry. Very different, and very telling. Penn would not have her punished as being a Witch.

Yes - he made a good call in not condemning her as an actual witch.

The testimonies from the eyewitnesses are hysterical. They all accuse her of bewitching cows!

Here's one you'll enjoy:

"Henry Drystreet attested, saith he was told 20 years agoe, the the prisoner was a witch & that several cows were bewitched by her; also, that James Saunderling's mother told him that she bewitched her cow..."

Good thing Billy let her go in spite of that compelling evidence.

[Osweo]

I was listening to my Harry Cox album today (the one I put up in the Funders' Lounge), and noticed in Track 9, Disc One – Betsy the milkmaid - the line about having someone sent away to be ‘a slave in Amerikee…’, and thought it worth bringing to your attention how the phenomenon had got into folk consciousness in song…

And so I was wondering; Was penal servitude practiced alongside voluntary indenture? The two types of servant were kept and worked together? What did a former convict receive if anything after his sentence? How many of both types were abused and worked to death?

[Piparskeggr]

If the stories handed down by my paternal grandmother (nee Burke) are correct; I had an ancestor who was sold into penal servitude in Massachusetts or Connecticut from Ireland, in punishment for crimes he committed against his English Landlord...circa 1645.

She said it was in her mother's (nee Brady), mother's (nee McNamara), father's line, back when.

Massachusetts was, again if I recall correctly, the first colony to legalize, or have the Crown legalize, chattel slavery.

The story also goes that his owner was a "liberal" for the time, getting the colonial court to commute the sentence to a 21 year indenture, which was further, fully commuted, after 9 years of faithful, productive service.

My dad's brother Edward told me that he knew of a branch of the family that still had property received back in the late 1650's.

I have not been able to nail this down, though I do have some names and locations back to the late 1780's.

[Electronic God-Man]

Just found another indentured servant story in my family....


Daniel BRAINARD was born in 1641 in Braintree, Essex, England. (1072)(1073) He Stolen as a child about 1649 in Braintree, Essex, England. (1074) When Daniel was 8 years old, he was stolen and brought to America where he was sold as an indentured servant to a farmer Wadsworth in Hartford "to be learned to read and write and at the time of his freedom when twenty-one years old to be given two suits of clothes." Daniel served 13 years for Wadsworth until he was freed in 1662 at age 21 whereupon he moved to Haddam. He moved in 1662 to Haddam, Hartford, CT.(1075) He died on 1 Apr 1715 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT. (1076) He left, according to his inventory, £834 on 19 Apr 1715 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT.(1077) He was a merchant.(1078)

Personal note from family research: Daniel Brainard was one of the first people in Haddam, Connecticut. He was a surveyor there who helped establish the township and became a well-respected town leader.

[Electronic God-Man]

I was listening to my Harry Cox album today (the one I put up in the Funders' Lounge), and noticed in Track 9, Disc One – Betsy the milkmaid - the line about having someone sent away to be ‘a slave in Amerikee…’, and thought it worth bringing to your attention how the phenomenon had got into folk consciousness in song…

Indeed, it has. I know you must be aware of this one too:


cOYvtSppA9M


And so I was wondering; Was penal servitude practiced alongside voluntary indenture? The two types of servant were kept and worked together? What did a former convict receive if anything after his sentence? How many of both types were abused and worked to death?

Yep, penal servitude and voluntary servitude were practiced side by side. Many were even "Shanghaied".

I know that the voluntary servants were given a new suit of clothes in Pennsylvania. And in the South I think some were given land. I am not sure if the convicts got anything at all, I doubt it.

I'll look up how many are estimated to have died.

[Electronic God-Man]

Some quotes culled from Indentured Servant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indentured_servant) at Wikipedia.


Given the high death rate, many servants did not live to the end of their terms.

Source: White Servitude by Richard Hostadter (http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/hpolscrv/whiteser.html)


Indentures could not marry without the permission of their owner, were subject to physical punishment (like many young ordinary servants), and saw their obligation to labor enforced by the courts. To ensure uninterrupted work by the female servants, the law lengthened the term of their indenture if they became pregnant.


Both male and female laborers could be subject to violence, occasionally even resulting in death.


On the Caribbean:

In the 17th century, the islands became known as a death traps, as between 33 to 50 percent of indentured servants died before they were freed, many from Yellow fever, malaria and other diseases.

Source: A Failed Settler Society: Marriage and Demographic Failure in Early Jamaica (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2005/is_n1_v28/ai_16106981/pg_2/)

------------------

Another reminder of how prevalent White servitude was:

One half to two thirds of all immigrants to Colonial America arrived as indentured servants. At times, as many as 75% of the population of some colonies were under terms of indenture. Even on the frontier, according to the 1790 U.S. Census, 6% of the Kentucky population was indentured.


In theory, the person is only selling his or her labor. In practice, however, indentured servants were basically slaves and the courts enforced the laws that made it so. The treatment of the servant was harsh and often brutal. In fact, the Virginia Colony prescribed “bodily punishment for not heeding the commands of the master.” (Ballagh, 45) Half the servants died in the first two years. As a result of this type of treatment, runaways were frequent. The courts realized this was a problem and started to demand that everyone have identification and travel papers. (A.E. Smith 264-270).

Regarding the dues given freed servants:

If a servant worked their full indenture, they received freedom dues, which were based on Hebrew law from the Old Testament. (Deut. 15:12-15) Many colonies also granted land to the newly freed servant.

Source: Indentured Servitude in Colonial America by Deanna Barker (http://mertsahinoglu.com/research/indentured-servitude-colonial-america/)



"Richard Frethorne came to Jamestown colony in 1623 as an indentured servant. In this letter dated March 20, 1623, written just three months after his entry into the colony, he described the death and disease all around him. Two thirds of his fellow shipmates had died since their arrival. Those without capital suffered particularly precarious situations with the lack of supplies and loss of leaders. Frethorne pleaded with his parents to redeem (buy out) his indenture." His letter below:



LOVING AND KIND FATHER AND MOTHER:

My most humble duty remembered to you, hoping in god of your good health, as I myself am at the making hereof. This is to let you understand that I your child am in a most heavy case by reason of the country, [which] is such that it causeth much sickness, [such] as the scurvy and the bloody flux and diverse other diseases, which maketh the body very poor and weak. And when we are sick there is nothing to comfort us; for since I came out of the ship I never ate anything but peas, and loblollie (that is, water gruel). As for deer or venison I never saw any since I came into this land. There is indeed some fowl, but we are not allowed to go and get it, but must work hard both early and late for a mess of water gruel and a mouthful of bread and beef. A mouthful of bread for a penny loaf must serve for four men which is most pitiful. [You would be grieved] if you did know as much as I [do], when people cry out day and night – Oh! That they were in England without their limbs – and would not care to lose any limb to be in England again, yea, though they beg from door to door. For we live in fear of the enemy every hour, yet we have had a combat with them … and we took two alive and made slaves of them. But it was by policy, for we are in great danger; for our plantation is very weak by reason of the death and sickness of our company. For we came but twenty for the merchants, and they are half dead just; and we look every hour when two more should go. Yet there came some four other men yet to live with us, of which there is but one alive; and our Lieutenant is dead, and [also] his father and his brother. And there was some five or six of the last year’s twenty, of which there is but three left, so that we are fain to get other men to plant with us; and yet we are but 32 to fight against 3000 if they should come. And the nighest help that we have is ten mile of us, and when the rogues overcame this place [the] last [time] they slew 80 persons. How then shall we do, for we lie even in their teeth? They may easily take us, but [for the fact] that God is merciful and can save with few as well as with many, as he showed to Gilead. And like Gilead’s soldiers, if they lapped water, we drink water which is but weak.

And I have nothing to comfort me, nor is there nothing to be gotten here but sickness and death, except [in the event] that one had money to lay out in some things for profit. But I have nothing at all–no, not a shirt to my back but two rags (2), nor clothes but one poor suit, nor but one pair of shoes, but one pair of stockings, but one cap, [and] but two bands [collars]. My cloak is stolen by one of my fellows, and to his dying hour [he] would not tell me what he did with it; but some of my fellows saw him have butter and beef out of a ship, which my cloak, I doubt [not], paid for. So that I have not a penny, nor a penny worth, to help me too either spice or sugar or strong waters, without the which one cannot live here. For as strong beer in England doth fatten and strengthen them, so water here doth wash and weaken these here [and] only keeps [their] life and soul together. But I am not half [of] a quarter so strong as I was in England, and all is for want of victuals; for I do protest unto you that I have eaten more in [one] day at home than I have allowed me here for a week. You have given more than my day’s allowance to a beggar at the door; and if Mr. Jackson had not relieved me, I should be in a poor case. But he like a father and she like a loving mother doth still help me.

For when we go to Jamestown (that is 10 miles of us) there lie all the ships that come to land, and there they must deliver their goods. And when we went up to town [we would go], as it may be, on Monday at noon, and come there by night, [and] then load the next day by noon, and go home in the afternoon, and unload, and then away again in the night, and [we would] be up about midnight. Then if it rained or blowed never so hard, we must lie in the boat on the water and have nothing but a little bread. For when we go into the boat we [would] have a loaf allowed to two men, and it is all [we would get] if we stayed there two days, which is hard; and [we] must lie all that while in the boat. But that Goodman Jackson pitied me and made me a cabin to lie in always when I [would] come up, and he would give me some poor jacks [fish] [to take] home with me, which comforted me more than peas or water gruel. Oh, they be very godly folks, and love me very well, and will do anything for me. And he much marvelled that you would send me a servant to the Company; he saith I had been better knocked on the head. And indeed so I find it now, to my great grief and misery; and [I] saith that if you love me you will redeem me suddenly, for which I do entreat and beg. And if you cannot get the merchants to redeem me for some little money, then for God’s sake get a gathering or entreat some good folks to lay out some little sum of money in meal and cheese and butter and beef. Any eating meat will yield great profit. Oil and vinegar is very good; but, father, there is great loss in leaking. But for God’s sake send beef and cheese and butter, or the more of one sort and none of another. But if you send cheese, it must be very old cheese; and at the cheesemonger’s you may buy very food cheese for twopence farthing or halfpenny, that will be liked very well. But if you send cheese, you must have a care how you pack it in barrels; and you must put cooper’s chips between every cheese, or else the heat of the hold will rot them. And look whatsoever you send me – be in never so much–look, what[ever] I make of it, I will deal truly with you. I will send it over and beg the profit to redeem me; and if I die before it come, I have entreated Goodman Jackson to send you the worth of it, who hath promised he will. If you send, you must direct your letters to Goodman Jackson, at Jamestown, a gunsmith. (You must set down his freight, because there be more of his name there.) Good father, do not forget me, but have mercy and pity my miserable case. I know if you did but see me, you would weep to see me; for I have but one suit. (But [though] it is a strange one, it is very well guarded.) Wherefore, for God’s sake, pity me. I pray you to remember my love to all my friends and kindred. I hope all my brothers and sisters are in good health, and as for my part I have set down my resolution that certainly will be; that is, that the answer of this letter will be life or death to me. Therefore, good father, send as soon as you can; and if you send me any thing let this be the mark.

ROT

RICHARD FRETHORNE,

MARTIN’S HUNDRED.


We should remember that White indentured servants were treated just as poorly as Black slaves, often worked harder, often punished more severely, and less suited to the climate of the South than the Blacks. Disease and starvation in an alien world coupled with being overworked killed many of them.

[Electronic God-Man]

Michael A. Hoffman II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_A._Hoffman_II) wrote a book called They Were White and They Were Slaves wherein he makes the argument that there were perpetual White "indentured servants", ie slaves. Although it is the case that White servants were no better than slaves for their periods of servitude, and that many never lived beyond their servitude, I think most that survived were set free. He also claims that the children of White indentured servants were also made servants, which is something I haven't seen evidence of elsewhere.

In any case, it would be interesting to track down Hoffman's sources. Apparently, Jim Goad cites Hoffman many times in his Redneck Manifesto.

An interesting quote from Ella Kelly, a Black former slave from South Carolina, is used by Hoffman:

You know, boss, dese days dere is three kind of people. Lowest down is a layer of White folks, then in de middle is a layer of colored folks, and on top is de cream, a layer of good White folks...

Which seems to show the White underclass as being the bottom rung in society, at least to Ella Kelly.

You can read some of Hoffman's claims here (http://www.revisionisthistory.org/forgottenslaves.html).


An interesting fact is that Blacks were initially treated as "indentured servants" as well. The first shipment of African slaves to the American colonies was in 1619. 20 or so Africans were brought by a Dutch ship to Virginia. These Africans were indentured servants. White servants had been used from day one in 1607 in and around Jamestown. These new "Blacks" were treated the same way...that is, rather harshly as slaves for a period of years. These Africans were eventually set free and given small plots of land to farm.

I came across the story of Anthony Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Johnson_%28American_Colonial%29), an African from Angola who was set free in this manner. His story is most interesting because it seems that Anthony ("Antonio") was quite successful and even owned other African "servants." One of his "servants" was John Casor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Casor) ("Cazara," "Corsala"). John Casor claimed that Anthony Johnson was holding him in servitude beyond his years indentured. Casor went off to work for a wage on the farm of a White neighbor, Robert Parker. Anthony brought the case to court on 8 March 1655:


This daye Anthony Johnson negro made his complaint to the court against mr. Robert Parker and declared that hee deteyneth his servant John Casor negro under the pretence that said negro was a free man. The court seriously consideringe and maturely weighing the premisses, doe fynde that the saide Mr. Robert Parker most unjustly keepeth the said Negro from Anthony Johnson his master ... It is therefore the Judgement of the Court and ordered That the said John Casor Negro forthwith returne unto the service of the said master Anthony Johnson, And that Mr. Robert Parker make payment of all charges in the suit.

Anthony Johnson claimed that John Casor was his "servant" for life. The court upheld Mr. Johnson's right to own John Casor for the remainder of his life. He was the first person known to be declared a slave in the American colonies.

A Black African, himself a former indentured servant, owned the first legal slave in what was to become the United States.

You can't make this shit up! :cool: