Beginners Level Article
Indentured Servitude in Colonial America
Indentured servants and other immigrants came to the American colonies from throughout the British Isles and Europe. The term “indentured servant” in this historical context refers to a labor system used to finance the emigration of people from the Old World to the New World. Indentured servants came from a variety of backgrounds. Almost all shared a common characteristic of abject poverty. The poorest citizens saw coming to the New World, especially America, as their only real hope for a better life. Yet, most could never afford the expensive voyage to America.
To accomplish the goal of coming to the America, they sold themselves as laborers to merchants and seamen in the British Isles or other European countries who carried them aboard their ships to the colonies free of charge. Emigrants used this form of transportation principally during the Colonial Period. Increased African slave imports during the 18th century triggered the decline of white indentured servitude, and, by the early 19th century, the system permanently disappeared amongst Britons coming to the United States. Immigrants from England and the British Isles in general made up the largest group of indentured servants. They are the focus of this article to help patrons trace their origins.
The concept of indentured servitude resembled craftsmen apprenticeships in England. Apprentices were primarily young people who served under a master craftsman for a specified number of years in order to learn a trade. While not all indentured servants served as apprentices, they shared many of the same experiences and were forced by circumstances to agree to similar conditions.
Indentured servants came from a variety of backgrounds. Some came from urban areas and had to confront miserable physical, emotional, and financial circumstances on a daily basis. Others went through the apprentice process and became tradesmen but were forced to emigrate when they either became unemployed or were never able to find employment in their areas of residence. The majority of indentured servants previously lived as peasants in small rural villages throughout the British Isles.
Financial instability caused by factors such as a parent’s (usually father’s) premature death, droughts, economic depression, etc. caused working class youth to seek better employment opportunities in neighboring towns with higher populations such as London, Bristol, and Liverpool, among others. Unfortunately, even this strategy seldom was successful. When they arrived in these larger areas, there was no initial intent to leave the country. Many had never travelled far from their homes. The lure of free food and housing aboard a ship bound for America provided the stimulus for many of England’s poor to agree to indentured servant terms. Many naïve people had no idea of what they were consenting to.
Indentured servants usually traveled solo. Some never told their families of their departure until months or years later. The merchants and seamen who owned the vessels could sell indentured servants’ labor at good prices. For this reason, they usually provided adequate food, drink, and clothing to keep their “merchandise” healthy. They preferred single males between the ages of 25-35 trained in specific occupations, whose labor strength and trade skills would appeal to American colonists. They also permitted teenagers and female servants aboard. Surviving passenger lists reveal a ratio of two to three males for every one female servant. Sadly, it was also a common practice in some cities and ports to kidnap destitute children and youths and forcibly transport them.
After docking at an American port city or, in some cases, along a plantation owner’s riverside estate, the servants stood on the deck of the ships and unfamiliar buyers boarded the ship. Potential buyers inquired about each of the servant’s skills. The servants had incentive to make the best impression possible since they hoped that the higher the price they sold for, the better accommodations they would receive. Sickly and unskilled servants might have to remain on the ship several extra weeks before someone purchased their labor.
In the 17th century, many plantation owners used their labor principally in tobacco cultivation. Many learned their first farming lessons upon arrival in America. The advent of slavery resulted in different responsibilities being assigned. The 18th century saw servants assigned to clear forest lands, and help develop the back country. Highly skilled servants became involved in construction projects such as building houses, designing and construction of buildings, and specialized civil work projects.
Indentured servant terms usually lasted four to five years. The period differed for minors who remained in their masters service until age 21.
Legally, the courts considered indentured servants chattel owned by the master. While they had rights afforded to them, they had numerous restrictions legally against them. These restrictions varied from colony to colony. Here are some examples. In many areas, indentured servants were forbidden to marry, trade with freemen, or vote during their terms of service. If they were severely mistreated by their master they could plead their cases before local magistrates. However, the results were only marginally successful in remedying the situation. During their terms, many colonies also placed the servants in local militias to provide “expendable” protection from enemy attack.
As in the case in the South with slaves, a sizable portion of indentured servants ran away from their masters. Advertisements from masters seeking to retrieve their lost “property” were common daily occurrences in Colonial newspapers. If captured, court punishments included whippings, extension of terms, and, in some cases, executions. While their numbers were small, there were sympathizers who frowned on the concept and treatment of indentured servants and helped them evade detection when they escaped. The escape strategies that runaway servants employed resulted in multiple factors which can complicate researching for genealogists, but were necessary based on the historical context of the time period and circumstances. Escapees often changed their identities to avoid detection. Many escaped to other colonies or migrated to sparsely populated areas out west. While it could be difficult, Canada was always an inviting option.
Upon completion of their labor term, masters supplied “freedom dues” to former servants. These entitlements varied from colony to colony but usually included money, food, clothing, and sometimes land. Freed servants were finally free to enjoy the same privileges extended to others. They could start families, work for hire, and own property. Historically, while many former servants initially remained in the working class, many over time climbed up the social ladder to eventually hold responsible positions in the colonies. In some cases, they were not only assisted by the master’s family but also married into the family. The following resources listed below will help researchers trace their indentured servitude ancestors.
Young, Emma. My Ancestor Came to Colonial America as an Indentured Servant.
FamilySearch Blog. 2014
Bryan L. Mulcahy
Reference Genealogy Librarian
Fort Myers Regional Library
bmulcahy@leegov.com9/18/2026