I have an ancestor from Isle of Jura, Scotland, who came to American in the mid-1600’s (don’t recall the exact date off the top of my head). He was on a ship’s manifest with a ‘P’ next to his name. I have been told this stood for Prisoner of the Crown. I am wondering if this is similar to what was going on with the Irish at the time. Any idea? I have assumed that someone paid for his passage to avoid prison and he would have to work off the cost of the passage.
My Scot ancestor came over after the Jacobite Rebellion in the 1730s. He was given the choice to live indentured in the new world or be hanged. So yes, you are correct.
Here’s another take on the issue.
http://www.academia.edu/9475964/The_Myth_of_Irish_Slaves_in_the_Colonies