Note 34 — Chapter I
Reading edition
In after life he was accustomed to say that it was the richest cargo he ever shipped and the best bargain he ever made.—History of New London.
It was a frequent custom in those days, for persons emigrating to the colonies to pay the expenses of their passage by selling their services for a term after landing. Such passengers were called “redemptioners.” Thus, Captain James actually purchased, as the term was, his wife Mary.