[Kenton]

I hope that someday they will take notice of the fact that in the 17th and 18th centuries, more than half of the people who immigrated to this country from the British Isles, did so as indentured servants (a form of slavery) in exchange for their passage.

The original African slaves were in fact, indentured servants, meaning that their servitude had a fixed contractual limit.

[rustbucket]

I hope that someday they will take notice of the fact that in the 17th and 18th centuries, more than half of the people who immigrated to this country from the British Isles, did so as indentured servants (a form of slavery) in exchange for their passage.

Judging by the old newspapers, the kindly people of the North simply couldn’t keep their bond servants from running away. Here are some ads from 1787 issues of the Pennsylvania Gazette:

Ran away last night from the subscriber, living in East Whiteland, Chester county, a SERVANT MAN, named William Thompson, about 5 feet 8 inches high, slim built, of a fair complexion, short fair hair, and sometimes ties it. Took with him a white linen coat, a spotted velvet waistcoat, flowered on the breast and pocket flaps, a pair of white ribbed cotton drawers, a pair of ribbed tow stockings, a pair of charmel pumps almost new, two shirts, two pair of trousers, a German flute, and can play on it well, stamped with the letters J. V. says he was born in England. Whoever takes up the said servant, and secures him in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall have FOUR DOLLARS reward, and reasonable charges. July 30, 1787. THOMAS HARRIS

EIGHT DOLLARS Reward. Ran away from the subscriber, in New Hanover township, Montgomery county, on the 19th of this instant July, a bound APPRENTICE LAD, named John Rutter, about 19 years of age, blackish hair, a wheelwright by trade; had on and took with him, a flax linnen [sic] shirt and trowsers, wool hat and calf-skin shoes. Whoever takes up the said apprentice, and delivers him to the subscriber, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by PHILIP YOST, New Hanover, July 23, 1787

FOUR DOLLARS Reward. Ran away from the subscriber, living in Brandywine hundred, New Cante(? unclear) county, about the 10th instant, an APPRENTICE BOY, named Levi Hughes, about 5 feet 8 inches high, has a down look, fairish hair. Had on when he went away a half worn wool hat, a light coloured cloth jacket without sleeves, tow trowsers, a pair of old shoes, with carved silver buckles, marked A. M. Any person or perons apprehending said apprentice, so that his master may get him again, shall receive the above award, paid by JOS. DAY. July 30, 1787. N. B. The said boy has got a remarkable bad scar on one of his legs.

THREE POUNDS Reward. Ran away from the subscriber on Sunday, the 1st instant, an Irish SERVANT LAD, named Hugh Wilson, about 17 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, brown hair, much pitted with the snall pox, had on when he went away, a linen coat and waistcoat, of a copperas colour, tow trousers, an old pair of shoes, and felt hat half worn. Whoever takes up said servant, and secures him so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by STEPHEN LOVE. Horsham township, Montgomery county, July 5, 1787.

Philadelphia, July 2, 1787. EIGHT DOLLARS Reward. Ran away from the subscriber, a Dutch SERVANT MAN John Henry Henning, appears to be about 45 years of age, is a middle sized, well set man, professed to be a tallow chandler by trade, understands but little of the English language; having been purchased from on ship board last fall. The fore part of his head is bald, his hair thin, of a light colour, and usually combed back. How he is appareled is uncertain, as he left his usual clothing behind him. Whoever apprehends this [my page ends]

Ran away, the 6th instant August, at night, from the subscriber, living in East Whiteland, Chester county, state of Pennsylvania, a SERVANT MAN, named James Shaerer, about 25 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, fresh coloured, short dark brown hair : Had on and took with him a white cloth coat with metal buttons, three jackets cloth and linen, light coloured cloth breeches, several pairs of trowsers, striped and plain, a new wool hat, new shoes and plated buckles. He had been in this country several years past, went to Ireland last fall, and returned again in the ship Friendship, Captain McCadden, who had lately arrived at the port of Philadelphia. Whoever secures said servant, so that his master may have him again, shall be entitled to SIX DOLLARS reward and reasonable charges, paid by THOMAS CUMMINS. August 9, 1787.