to the servant at the end of his term was, in the absence of any provision in the indenture, fixed by custom with as much precision is if it had been prescribed by law. He was entitled to such a quantity of grain as would furnish him a support for one year. This, at the end of the century, was estimated at ten bushels.[1] He was also to receive two sets of apparel, — including in general two suits, one of kersey, the other of cotton, a pair of canvas drawers, two shirts, one of which was made of canvas, the other of lockram, and one felt hat.[2] In the time of Beverley, a gun worth twenty shillings was added.[3] The value of the grain, clothing, and other articles thus received was estimated at ten pounds sterling.[4]
The impression prevailed in England that every servant was also entitled to fifty acres. For this belief, however, there seems to have been no ground, — at least, previous to the administration of Culpeper. In 1679, this Governor was enjoined to lay off for each person of that class at the end of his term fifty acres of land, and a similar order was given to Sir Henry Chichely in January 1681-82, by the Committee for Trade and Plantations, which was renewed in a somewhat modified form in 1685
- ↑ Beverley’s History of Virginia, p. 221.
- ↑ See Records of Rappahannock County, vol. 1668-1672, pp. 60, 61, Va. State Library. In this case, provision was made for an apprentice at the expiration of his term.
- ↑ Beverley’s History of Virginia, p. 221.
- ↑ Colonial Entry Book, vol. 92, pp. 275-283.
to whom they were first put, and further if during thus time, they should commit any great malifice as whoredom, theft, drawing of blood, that then from that time toties quoties the time of their service to begin again for seven years, now whereas it appeareth to ye court that the said Henry Carman hath committed fornication with one Alice Chambers, servant of Abraham Chambers, the court orders he shall serve seven years longer.” Orders of General Court, Oct. 11, 1626, Robinson Transcripts, p. 52.
