having five years, from twelve pounds sterling to sixteen; having six years, from thirteen pounds sterling to seventeen.
The value of female servants was fixed at lower rates. Thus a woman having one year of her term unexpired was appraised at a figure ranging from one to three pounds sterling; having two years, from three to five pounds sterling; having three years, from four to eight pounds sterling; having four years, from eight pounds sterling to twelve; having five years, from twelve pounds sterling to fourteen; having six years, she was appraised at a figure which did not exceed fifteen pounds sterling.[1]
There are many indications that the largest proportion of the negro servants who were found in the Colony in the seventeenth century were mulattoes, who had either been set free by their white fathers or were sprung from emancipated African mothers. The county records show the presence of numerous persons of half blood who were earning a livelihood under ordinary covenants for a comparatively short time, or who had been bound out until they should reach their majority. If the mulatto was the offspring of a white woman, his period of service was extended by the vestry, which had all bastards at their disposal, to his thirtieth year. Among those who were employed by Robert Dudley of Middlesex just before his death, was a mulatto woman whose term was to expire at the end of two years.[2] The estate of Mrs. Rowland Jones of York, in 1689, included among its items of property a mulatto man who hall sixteen years to serve.[3] Colonel John Walker
- ↑ These estimates are based upon hundreds of entries found in the inventories of personal estates preserved in the county records.
- ↑ Records of Middlesex County, original vol. 1698-1713, p. 103; see also Records of York County, vol. 1687-1691, p. 658, Va. State Library.
- ↑ Records of York County, vol. 1687-1691, p. 381, Va. State Library.
