Redemptioners (indentured servants) in 1683 from The Immigration of the Irish Quakers into Pennsylvania (1902); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sandra Ferguson . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** From THE IMMIGRATION OF THE IRISH QUAKERS INTO PENNSYLVANIA 1682-1750, by Albert Cook Myers (published 1902) Robert Turner arrived in Philadelphia in 1683, with his family and a "cargo" of 17 redemptioners ( indented servants). They traveled on the "Lion of Leverpoole". Robert Trewecks, Henry Furnace, Robert Selford, Ben: Acton, John Reeves, Row: Hambridge, Richard Curlis, John Furnace, Daniel Furnace, Robert Threewecks, Lemuel Bradshaw, Robt. Lloyd,Wm. Louge, Hen. Hollingsworth, Aiolce Cales, Kath; Furnace, Jos. Furnace. " Frequently, poor emigrants sold themselves into temporary servitude, usually for a term of 4 years, in order to defray the cost of their transportation to PA. On engaging passage, the emigrants made an agreement or indenture with the shipmaster that they were to be sold after their arrival, and were known on this account they were known as indented servants or redemptioners. It is evident from certificates of removal and other extant documents, that many Friends, particularly those from Ireland, arrived in this manner. The redemptioners could not be sold out of the Province without their consent given in open court or before a justice of the piece, but this was the only restriction placed on their servitude. At the end of their service, if their behavior merited it, they received a suit of clothes, a set of tools of the occupation in which they were engaged, and often a sum of money...those that had come over with first purchasers were allowed by Penn to take up 50 acres of land at a rent of 1/2 penny an acre per year." The above listed redemptioners served from 2 year(Henry Hollingsworth) to Robert Threewecks, who signed up for 13 years! Mosted signed up for 4 years, but there were also a couple 6 years and one 9. All were to be allowed 50 acres, as Robert Turner was an original purchaser of Pa land.