Contracts
The first indentured servant, based on documents recovered, was Robert Coopy in 1619. The details of his contract, like many others, included the term of his servitude of three years, room and board, paid passage to America, and thirty acres of land upon completion of his contract term. For undocumented reasons, Robert decided not to venture to America and complete his contract. Instead, a relative named Thomas entered into a similar contract with additional provisions to have his wife receive payment while he was in America. Thomas later had his contract term extended for an undetermined number of years in order to bring his family (wife and two children) to the New World for servitude. Unfortunately, after eighteen months of bondage, all but one member of the Coopy family would remain.
Indentures or contracts, like those entered into by the Coopy family, contained the terms both the masters and servants must abide by. The indentures were highly regulated where both master and servant were entitled to court intervention if terms were not followed. Areas addressed in the indentures included length of service term, types of punishment a master may use on a disobedient servant, infractions placed on runaway servants, and payment terms once a servant completed his/her contract. In addition, the indentures restricted the servants' families rights by forbidding women servants to marry without master permission. These contracts were designed to keep the indentured servants in line and prevent upheavals and disobedience.
This is an example of an indenture contract from 1682. It is important to note the phrasing "free and willing to be retained to serve". (National Women's History Mueum, 2007)) This highlights the voluntary nature of indentured servitude which would set it apart from slavery. Many other facets of the life of a servant could be compared to a slave, including punishments and lack of freedoms. The age of the servant is included as well as her length of service. This particular contract directs responsibility of payment for passage to America to the master. The master must also "provide and allow all necessary meat, drink, washing, apparel, and lodging".(National Women's History Museum, 2007). Servants could take their masters to court if they felt the terms were not being honored. This contract appears to contain an official seal as well as numerous signatures, indicating agreement amongst parties involved.
Runaway Ads
The difficulty of servant life contributed to high death rates and caused many servants to run away. Servants dying or fleeing caused problems in the indenture system, because the investment in the servant's transport would be lost before their debt was repaid. Here are some written examples and a picture of a runaway advertisement.
SOURCE: PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, MARCH 15, 1733
RUN away Mar. 14. from Edmund Farrel, Tanner, a Servant Man named Alexander Nelson, an Irishman, aged about 24 Years, of middle Stature. He has a black Wig, a lead colour Camlet Coat,a black Drugget Jacket, Buckskin Breeches, fine Hat, grey worsted Stockings, new Shoes; gas also taken with him a Quantity of Paper Money, and some Silver, and also the old Indentures of one James Mac Daniel, now free, and the Pass of the said Mac Daniel out of Maryland, and probably may use his Name. Whoever secures the said Servant so that he may be had again, shall have Three Pounds Reward, and reasonable Charges paid, by Edmund Farrel.
SOURCE: PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, MAY 11. 1738
RUN away on the 27th of April past, at
Night, from Samuel Butt of Plumsted Township, Bucks County, an Irish Servant
Man, named William Cough [Cuugh], short of Stature, bow legged, flat footed, of
a dark Complexion, round and full fac'd, much mark'd with the Small Pox, is
watry eyed, and wears a Cap or light colour'd Wig: Had a good Felt Hat, a blue
Duroy Coat lin'd with Silk Crape, a pretty good white Dimmity Jacket, and new
Breeches of the same, a new fine Shirt and two new homepsun ones, two new Muslin
Stocks, white Cotton Stockings and a pair of grey yarn ones, old round toe'd
Shoes with strings in them. He has taken his own and another Man's Indentures
with him. Whoever takes up and secures the said Servant, so that his Master may
have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid
by SAMUEL BUTT.