Hubert Patey - an Indentured Servant

 We don't know how Hubert came to be an indentured servant but it was a common practice in the 17th century for even young children to be shipped to the colonies to work. Sometimes parents died. Sometimes they just couldn't afford to feed another mouth. Some were kidnapped. Whatever the reason, many were transported to the colonies as a source of labor. Their contracts were usually from four to seven years, enough to pay for their passage. Sometimes a father would sign legal documents with a ship captain. The captain would transport the youth and sell his contract to someone who needed laborers.

Sometimes young men and women were attracted by higher wages and opportunities that awaited them after their term of indenture was over.

Being an indentured servant was very much like slavery, with the notable exception of freedom after the contract was up. The holder of the contract had all the rights of a slaveholder. He could punish the servant by whipping. He could add time to his indenture as punishment. He could sell, barter or gamble the contract away. As many as 40% of indentured servants did not survive until the end of their service. Female servants often were at the mercy of male masters. Women who became pregnant while in servitude often had years added to their service time. Many had such a hard life that they ran away or committed suicide. Those that were caught were punished and had more years added to their service.