Mr. Hureau
US History I
Name: ______________
Date: _____________
Elizabeth Sprigs: Letter from an Indentured Servant in Maryland (1756)
The Maryland colony was set-up as a “feudal style” colony. That is to say that all of the
land was owned by a single family, the Calvert family. Upon the adoption of a tobacco
plantation economy, however, the demand for labor rose dramatically. Maryland adopted
a headright grant system in 1640. (The Headright System set up by the London company in 1618
gave 50 acres of land to colonists who paid their own way to Virginia, or paid the way for someone else.)
This was very successful, as the English population in Maryland exceeded 15,000 by
1670. As stated above, masters were expected to feed, clothe and house servants. The
reality, however, could be quite different. Indentured servants were treated the same as,
and in some cases worse than, slaves. Female servants were the victims of sexual
exploitation. 2 out of 5 of indentured servants died before completing their term. Living
and working conditions were horrible, and servants who tried to escape could have their
term of service extended.
1
Maryland, Sept'r 22'd 1756
Honored Father
My being forever banished from your sight, will I hope pardon the Boldness I now take of
troubling you…, my long silence has been purely owning to my undutifullness to you, and
… knowing I had offended in the highest Degree, put a tie to my tongue and pen, for fear
I should be extinct from your good Graces and add a further Trouble to you, but too well
knowing your care and tenderness for me so long as I retain'd my Duty to you, induced
me once again to endeavor if possible, to kindle up that flame again.
O Dear Father, believe what I am going to relate the words of truth and sincerity, and
Balance my former bad Conduct my sufferings here, and then I am sure you'll pity your
Destress Daughter. What we unfortunate English People suffer here is beyond the
probability of you in England to Conceive, let it suffice that I …, am toiling almost Day
and Night, and very often in the Horses drudgery, …, and then tied up and whipp'd to
that Degree that you'd not serve an Animal, scarce anything but Indian Corn and Salt to
eat and that even begrudged nay many Negroes are better used. (I am) almost naked no
shoes nor stockings to wear, and the comfort after slaving during Masters pleasure, what
rest we can get is to wrap ourselves up in a Blanket and ly upon the Ground.
(T)his is the deplorable Condition your poor Betty endures, and now I beg if you have
any Bowels of Compassion left show it by sending me some Relief, Clothing is the
principal thing wanting, which if you should condiscend to, may easily send them to me
by any of the ships bound to Baltimore Town Patapsco River Maryland,
Duty to you and Uncles and Aunts, and Respect to all Friends
Honored Father
Your undutifull and Disobedient Child
Elizabeth Sprigs
1
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/servitude_slavery/servitude_account1.cfm
Mr. Hureau
US History I
Name: ______________
Date: _____________
Questions to Consider
1) What is the Headright System?
2)What is the tone of this letter? Please explain your answer.
3) What are her working conditions like? Her meals?
4) What is Elizabeth in need of? Why is she writing the letter?
5) Do you think this is an unreasonable request?