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Meet John Halfhead Lesson 1
John Halfhead, Indentured Servant
Background Information for Teachers
John Halfhead
John Halfhead was an actual colonist who sailed on the Ark from England and arrived in Maryland in 1634.
Although Halfhead left no written documents in his own hand - he was illiterate - his name appears many
times in the public records documenting Maryland's early history. It is known that he was born in England
and was Protestant. He was indentured to Leonard Calvert, brother to Cecil Calvert (the second Lord
Baltimore and founder of the colony) and he apparently was skilled as a brick mason.
John Halfhead had the fortune of being present in the early days and years of Maryland and witnessed
some of the most significant events as the colony struggled to become established. Subsequent lessons will
follow John Halfhead through the 17th century as he finishes his indenture, becomes a member of the
General Assembly, a successful plantation owner, a husband, and a father.
The student reading, John Halfhead, Indentured Servant, should be introduced by way of stating . . . if you
could travel back in time to the 17th century and talk to John Halfhead, this is what he might say to you.
Indentured Servants
Most of the people who came to Maryland in the 17th century came as indentured servants. An indenture
was an agreement between a person who was willing to work for another for an agreed-upon amount of
time in exchange for passage to America, a place to live, and food and clothing -during the length of the
indenture. In Maryland, a person served as an indentured servant on average four to five years. Although
some women did come, most indentured servants were men who were often poor and had little chance to
improve their lives if they stayed in England. Even though Lord Baltimore suggested various skilled labor
positions for the colony, in reality, most indentured servants ended up working in the tobacco fields.
A servant's life could be hard, especially if his master did not treat him fairly. At the end of his term, a
servant was to receive a suit of clothing, one axe, two hoes, three barrels of corn, and the rights to fifty
acres of land. The newly-freed servant was responsible for paying for the land to be surveyed and
registered with the court.
Original Documents
The information for this lesson was taken from original documents such as Lord Baltimore's Suggestions for
Skilled Labor in the Maryland Colony and The forme of binding a servant [indenture form]. Both documents
contain original spellings, punctuation, and grammar for which there was little consistency of use in the
17th century.
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Lesson Plan:
1. Have students read Meet John Halfhead. Because the reading is done as if Halfhead is speaking,
it may also be read aloud by the teacher or members of the class.
2. A discussion should take place after the reading. The suggested questions are designed to
determine if students understood the reading and to give them the opportunity to express their
feelings.
•
Why did John Halfhead decide to come to Maryland?
•
What things did he seem to be impressed with once he arrived?
•
What things were promised to John Halfhead if he came?
•
Do you think he received a fair arrangement?
•
What does John Halfhead think his future will hold?
•
If you had been living in England in 1633, do you think you would have decided to come
to Maryland? Why or why not?
3. Have students define each of the positions listed in Lord Baltimore's Suggestions for Skilled
Labor in the Maryland Colony (use a dictionary or the Definitions of Skilled Labor Positions from
the 17th Century).
4. After reading Lord Baltimore's Suggestions for Skilled Labor in the Maryland Colony, discuss the
following questions:
•
Why do you think Lord Baltimore listed these particular skills?
•
Why do you think he felt a carpenter was "Almost necessary?"
•
What raw materials would be necessary for each job to be carried out in the colony?
•
How many of these materials were available in the Chesapeake region in the 17th
century?
•
How many of the skilled positions listed by Lord Baltimore are still done today?
•
How many of the skills listed by Lord Baltimore have been replaced by machines and/or
other technology?
5. Have part of the class assume the roles of skilled laborers based on Lord Baltimore's
Suggestions for Skilled Labor in the Maryland Colony. Have other students assume the roles of
gentlemen looking to secure the services of skilled indentured servants. Negotiate the terms of
an indenture based on how well the servant can argue for their need in the new colony.
6. Once indentured contracts have been agreed upon, students may complete The forme of
binding a servant [indenture form] for each position.
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