Reply #3: A way of working off the price for the trip to the New World [View All]

[Guckert]

If you had a trade but no money, you could sign up for indentured servitude. If you were needed in the new world the time would be lowered. If you were a debtor you would work longer. Some of the Colonies even gave the indentured servants a plot of land at the end of their service that was included in the contract before coming over.
Yes, there were those who took advantage of this policy. but it was substituted for actual slaves that could be used for life and they kept the kids as well.