Hidden History

by Angela Breidenbach, Guest Blogger

Indentured servants had it rough. Hidden in our history is how indentured servants helped build America as the lowest of the low. Some entered the institution of slavery intentionally in order to take a chance on a future they couldn't get otherwise. Some were born to it. Others entered into a contract but couldn't get out for reasons beyond their responsibility because the law favored the contract owner. Some, branded as criminals in their homeland, entered indenture against their will to pay their debt to society and clear the streets of poor people. Many of these worked on the plantations in the South right alongside the stolen peoples of Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Central and South America. Still others served in the fledgling military in place of the man who held their contract. Let's take a look at how indentured servitude played a part in U.S. history...

In the American Colonies, all of the above scenarios were true, and then some. Prisoners, from the hardened criminals to simple thieves who stole a loaf of bread to feed starving children, were loaded on ships to clear Britain of the unwanted, especially the Irish and Scottish in the 17th through early 19th centuries. Branded criminals, they were listed as King's Passengers. A bit misleading, wouldn't you say? They certainly weren't a part of the royal court. Over 50,000 men, women, and children were sold into the colonies as a special class of slaves, forced indenture, via over 400 ships sent from Britain. Children's ages were of no consequence. Orphans were especially vulnerable—to rid the home country of beggars and the unwanted miscreants.

Each colony had its own set of laws dealing with indentured servants because there wasn't a standard law of the land. An indentured person could only hope they landed in a more favorable system. One law that often crossed through the colonies was that the condition of the mother determined the condition of the child. An already living child sold into indenture due to theft or criminal behavior was given a time frame they might escape in a set time frame like seven, ten, or even as few as two years. But a pregnant woman delivering a child into indenture meant that child served thirty-five years of his or her life in the less favorable colony while a favorable colony might let that child go at twenty-five. And, the law kept changing. Though no colony necessarily agreed on when that time started, birth or old enough to work. When was a child old enough? Some said five and others said seven, and so on. The woman's indenture contract was also at risk. She commonly had to serve an additional set period to "pay" for her non-working time in birth, recovery, and any medical fees. Even if she only took two weeks off, her contract could be extended two years or more. Imagine gaining freedom only to have your child remain indentured for another thirty-three years! Could you go and leave your child? Did you marry while indentured and not know that law? So many possibilities for tragic circumstances. Consider a young widow with children. She had no rights to her children under the law of the time unless her husband was living or the orphan court made an exception. She might have to leave a free child with an indentured contract because she had no rights as his mother at that time in history and no living male family to adopt him. One more tragic situation.

Those who entered willingly, with the hope that in five to seven years they'd be free to make a new life in the new world, often ran into major hardships. The contracts usually guaranteed something like two suits of clothing, one year's staples, and even acreage, if you were lucky. During the contract, the indentured servant could expect to learn a trade and clear any criminal stigma... in a perfect world. Yes, sometimes that all happened. But more often the indentured servant was the bottom of the ladder, literally. If a dangerous job had to happen such as climbing into the deepest mine or well, the indentured servant was forced to do it to protect anyone else "worth more." The lowered value of an indentured servant also had fiscal motivation as the contract progressed toward the end. It helped avoid the passing of promised land and/or goods, and to keep lifelong slaves who could produce (without the higher cost of paying off a contract) from harm or becoming a liability to the owner. From the beginning of time, humans take advantage of other humans for profit. If the servant died in service, well darn. As you can imagine, some contract owners planned for the "accidental" demise of their servants in order to avoid paying the promised contract agreement.

Built in 1812 by John Vass, a German immigrant who started as an indentured servant and ultimately achieved financial success. By Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The value of human beings, indentured or enslaved, challenges our modern sensibilities and understanding of freedom. Did you know indenture contracts were sellable as property? Indentured servants usually did not have a say in whether their contract was sold. They also didn't have a say if the owner went to court to tack on extra time because the servant fell ill or was injured and unable to work or was deemed unfruitful in their labors. Two weeks of flu or two months off from a broken limb likely meant several years added on by the court with no recourse for the servant for fairness or compassion. Some were punished for various reasons and sentenced to more time or even life as an indentured slave.

Men who did not want to fight in the American Revolution could legally send an indentured servant in their stead, but they'd be required to provide weapons, food, and clothing. Additionally, if sent to war, those indentured servants would earn their freedom as soon as their time in the military ended. One other enticement to an "early out" of their contract was the promise of large tracts of land. So a man who served as few as six months and lived, could gain hundreds of acres...if he could wrestle it away from the natives, forest, and the constant threat of Redcoats. That was enough incentive for men who wanted a fresh start and opportunity. They'd be free and their records expunged. Of course, there were many who joined up only to disappear into the uncharted territories. But that's another part of our hidden history. What we do know is that many plantations, buildings, laws, and even our bid for independence were all deeply affected because of the existence of indentured servants who slaved, scraped, and fought for a future they might not ever see. Yet, many of us are here because those people came to America. Are you a descendant of an indentured servant?


For more information on indentured servitude:

http://www.ushistory.org/us/5b.asp


and this excellent one:

https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Indentured_Servants_in_Colonial_Virginia


Link to a book on Google about King's Passengers: https://books.google.com/books?id=fvQeTWZe33cC&source=gbs_book_other_versions

The Captive Brides Collection including His Indentured Bride by Angela Breidenbach:

Nine historical women are about to make their escape from some of lifes greatest challenges. Can their captive hearts be freed to dream, to dare, to love?

Travel from Scotland, across the sea, as the American Colonies forge a new destiny... Pennsylvania, 1773-1776 — Leaving Scotland for a short indenture with her betrothed, Maire Greer’s contract is sold when disaster strikes her kindly owner, and then extended through cruel circumstances. Can Kirk Lachlan’s service in the American Revolution save her or will she lose love and freedom forever?


Angela Breidenbach writes romance through the ages, hosts the radio show Lit Up, and is in college to get her genealogical studies degree. She's the president of the Christian Authors Network. Angie lives in Missoula, MT with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who can shake hands, lay down and roll over, and jump through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angie can also.

http://AngelaBreidenbach.com

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest: @AngBreidenbach

iTunes: Lit Up With Angela Breidenbach