Life as an indentured servant

1. Life as an indentured servant Diary entries and letters of Timothy Smythe of Virginia mid 1600’s

2. Diary entry 1652 An account of my arrival in Virginia I, Timothy Smythe, formerly of London, England, have survived the perilous journey of ten weeks across the vast and cruel Atlantic and have finally arrived in this new world, Virginia. I am recently recovered from those many weeks of rough seas and the crowded, sickening conditions aboard ship. There was much Illness, disease and death as we were given but 2 pieces of bread and 2 cups of water a day. I now begin my life anew as an indentured servant.

3. Diary entry October 1656 I now find time to write of my four years in Virginia as an indentured servant to a William Benfort, tobacco farmer of fair practice, yet I have observed many cruel punishments toward his laborers. Even I have been flogged twice for matters of small consequence; for not working at a pace satisfactory to my master. Generally I am treated better than many, for I am also a blacksmith and my skills are useful to the farm. In this way I am able to work toward my freedom two years hence and save more coins toward purchase of my own land. My contract of servitude for a period of six years. This gave me passage to Virginia, housing and sustenance for the duration of my labors.

4. On matters of survival 1657 I have been ill for many months but have now recovered. My life since leaving England has been only about survival. Having arrived after a rough voyage, I was overjoyed upon seeing land and thought life’s dire conditions would improve; however, many here have died of starvation, disease and Indian uprisings. This is a great and bountiful land but life is harsh beyond compare. I feared death for myself on several occasions but am now in good health so I may resume my work blacksmithing and in the tobacco fields. There is much need for labor and my illness has not pleased my master; yet I am still promised my freedom as contracted. I leave my destiny to our Lord who has kept me safe from the many perils of this new world.

5. To my dear love Elizabeth - Spring 1657 To my dear love in England I write to tell you it will be soon when I send you the fare for passage to Virginia. I long for you to be here when my contract is complete and I am free to marry you. This spring is temperate and lovely after the harsh winter. The conditions improve, the farming produces more crops for sustenance each year, and tobacco is plentiful. There is much need for labor; they are bringing more Africans for tobacco field work and house labor. These slaves have no contract, are bought and sold at market and treated with much brutality and cruelty. They keep us separate from the Africans for fear of shared rebellion. I have enough saved for a small piece of land for our own farm, and my blacksmithing skills will afford us a good life together. I miss my England but we will have our own life and property here in Virginia so I dream of better days. Until then, Your loving future husband Timothy Smythe. My drawing of Benfort’s tobacco farm. It is most difficult work in the sweltering heat of summer and he is in need of more laborers. Soon we will be ourselves landowners.

6. DIARY ENTRY JULY 1658 An etching of a tribal native lord with markings upon his skin. A treaty of the sort often broken and the cause of much conflict. One cannot give a proper account of life in Virginia without regard to the Indian tribal people here. What contact I have with them has been fair as many are friendly in trade and compromise. However, there is much fear among the Europeans due to bloody and brutal uprisings wherein tribes such as the Powhatans have rebelled and killed hundreds along the James River. Many treaties have been signed, yet promises have not been kept and so they rise up against us. I at times fear for my own life yet there is some part of me that yearns to leave and live among them as many have, for they appear to have a strong social and political system and work the land to abundance. Many Indians have also died from disease and rebellion or have settled farther West. I fear continued conflict and attempt to stay on friendly terms.

7. Diary Entry September 1658Africans in captivity I have often felt that I am living a life in captivity; yet the good Lord and my terms of contract have allowed me to see the end of this servitude. More and more ships arrive with Africans who are bought and sold at auction, with no regard for family or anything save their fitness for labor. They are replacing Europeans in the field and plantation houses; yet their treatment is far more punishing than any I have experienced. There are no contracts such as I have had and now there are laws such as the fugitive slave law, which is changing us from a society with slaves to a slave society. There are fewer indentured servants and Africans are to be laborers only, enslaved for life. My drawing of newly arrived African slaves and the Portugese

8. Diary Entry ~ Spring 1659 The colonies grow ever stronger yet the General Assembly of Virginia remains loyal to British rule. Unlike many who arrived here with the same dream of owning property, I have survived my years of servitude and earned enough to purchase a small farm for myself and Elizabeth. I do not look back to England, but rather forward to my new life in this new world; I am, and will forever be, a Virginian.