Posted on 12/16/2006 6:01:23 PM PST by scouse
My earliest American ancestors were indentured servants. Where are my reparations?
Will you take a self winding Timex watch?
I have read that the average life span of the white servants who came to the New World, until the new society learned to adapt to the new conditions, was about 7 or 8 years. During the 18th Century, however, after the population became acclimated, the population. began to grow at a phenomenal rate. The populastion boombs--among whites and black alike--was surely one cause for the American revolt. And we were healthier. The average American in the continental army was about 2 inches taller than his British counterpart, who, contrary to what has be said were not city dweller pressed into service but usually countrymen like their American opponents.
Hey, if that's the best offer. I could use 40 acres, but I don't want a damn mule.
I've always been a little irritated that the Brits get a pass on the slave guilt. Many times I hear it from Brits who wish to trash America.
The simple fact is that slavery lasted much longer in the colonies under British rule than it did under American rule.
In my opinion, the Brits only declared the slaves free because they needed a ready made army to fight the revolution.
Accurate, well-researched historical scholarship presents a different picture.
While indentured servitude existed, it was limited to 7 years for volunteers and 10 years for convicts. In no case was it hereditary.
Some of the convicts had it rough in isolated mining camps and large plantations, but the big market demand was for skilled labor. A good carpenter or bricklayer could get away with a 4-year indenture.
Those who found their deal irksome often ran away. Since they were white and spoke English, they were usually never found.
The Brits ended slavery(including indentured slaves) in their far flung empire at least 40 years before us; and, they didn't need a war to do it.
But they let it continue here when they still ruled.
I was under the impression that indentured servitude was (for the most part) voluntary. Generally, slavery was not something that one volunteered for.
Thanks for this article!!!
My family history is that when we first came from Germany in 1732, (Rudolf with his wife, two parents, two of his sisters), the sisters were indentured when they arrived to pay for part of the passage. They apparently wre not heard from again.
This is the first confirmation I've had that this was even possible!
We didn't have a war to do it either, it was a convenient excuse after the war started.
And I hereby further declare all indented servants, Negroes, or others (appertaining to Rebels) free, that are able and willing to bear arms, they joining His Majesty's Troops, as soon as may be, for the more speedily reducing the Colony to a proper sense of their duty, to this Majesty's crown and dignity.
-- Lord Dunmore's Proclamation
" Hey, if that's the best offer. I could use 40 acres, but I don't want a damn mule. "
I will take your damn mule, then I wll have a team for MY 40 acres
btt
If you happened to be born into servitude (parent was the slave), it was hereditary. What else are you going to be allowed to do? White's didn't get an allotment when slavery was "emancipated".
There was also a lot of white slavery/servitude after the civil war. Lots of poor orphans who took the place of freed slaves to have food and shelter. They just happened to be invisible.
The problem was: runaway to where? Certainly not to the frontier, which in 1750 was still a howing wilderness. Nearer the coast land was hard to get. Granted, everywhere better than England where status was more or less fixed for life.
Let's get real here.
Cracker propaganda.
Just sayin'...
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