An indentured servant was a worker in a contract with an employer for a certain length of time. Usually a laborer or craftsman would have to work three to seven years in exchange for the cost of transportation across the ocean, food, clothing, land, a place to live and other things they needed to live or work during their contract. This kind of contract was called "indenture." Indentures were quite common in Colonial America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Indentured servants were different from slaves in that their captivity was temporary.
Indentured servant
Questions and Answers
Q: What is an indentured servant?
A: An indentured servant is a worker who is bound in a contract with an employer for a specific period of time, usually three to seven years.
Q: How did indentured servants receive payment?
A: Indentured servants received payment in the form of transportation across the ocean, food, clothing, land, a place to live, and other necessities during their contract.
Q: What are indentures?
A: Indentures are contracts between an employer and an indentured servant that specify the terms and length of their agreement.
Q: When were indentures common?
A: Indentures were quite common in Colonial America during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Q: What is the difference between indentured servants and slaves?
A: Indentured servants were different from slaves in that their captivity was temporary, and they were only bound in their contract for a specific period of time.
Q: Who was most likely to become an indentured servant?
A: Usually, laborers or craftsmen were most likely to become indentured servants.
Q: What did an indentured servant receive during their contract?
A: An indentured servant received transportation across the ocean, food, clothing, land, a place to live, and other necessities during their contract.