To ensure the welfare of the child but more definitively to ensure that the child did not become a burden of the parish, Margaret's child, as all illegitimate children of indentured servants, was bound out. Margaret had no way to support the child since she was being supported by her master. 

The answers to these type of questions are usually found in county court/minute books.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Janice 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 1:21 PM
  Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] indentureships in VA


  I don't know, we may be looking at this thing backwards.

  If Margaret had a child of "mixed" descent perhaps she had a hard time  
  moving forward during and after her indenture ended. She may not have  
  received the emotional support and place in the community given to  
  other former indentured servants.

  Perhaps the extension of servitude by the vestry was actually an  
  effort to ensure the welfare of her child? Especially if the either  
  she or the child had problems physically?

  Janice



    Poldi Tonin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
  >
  > Also the length of Margaret's indenture seems to be very long. If  
  > she was
  > indentured prior to 1712 and was still under contract in 1737, that  
  > would be
  > 25 years.
  >
  > Good luck on your hunt for Margaret.
  > Poldi
  >

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