Note 43 — Chapter II · THE UNITED STATES. COLONIAL PERIOD

These terms are used somewhat loosely in the contemporary documents and in modern writings. “Indented servants” is the broader term, including all who signed indentures, or were sold under an indenture, whether they came willingly or under compulsion. “Redemptioners” is sometimes used to refer specifically to those who voluntarily sold themselves. But there is authority for the view that “redemptioner,” strictly speaking, referred to one who came without an indenture, on the expectation of finding some one on this side who would pay for his passage. He was given a period of time after landing to accomplish this. Failing in this, he was to be sold by the captain to the highest bidder. See Geiser, K. F., Redemptioners and Indentured Servants in the Colony and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ch. I. But the words are sometimes used interchangeably.