Letter home….
August 12, 1619
Dear Mother,
I am sorry I signed the indentured servant contract for the Virginia Company without your permission but our family’s conditions forced me to do so. I could not find any employment in England. Fortunately, I will only have to serve for a period of 4 years and after that I will be free and able to earn money and have you people come here as well.
The journey to the Americas was harsh. Very little food was given to me on the ship. Some people even committed suicide due to the misery and hunger. When I reached Jamestown, my master showed me around and told me my duties which included farming, doing the chores of the house, and looking after the livestock.
To tell you the truth, my condition is much worse than it was in England. I wake up before dawn and my work continues endlessly. I only get a couple of hours of sleep and a small amount of food once a day. Along with this, I have to bear the rude comments and insults from the owner. Sometimes, I even get a beating from my master. I feel like a machine with no feelings, no rights, and no happiness.
However, the hope that keeps me going is that after 5 years I will receive some share of land. Although, the other indentured servant working here, Ruth, told me some terrifying stories of the punishments given to indentured servants. For example, those that run away are punished severely. Some are even denied their share of land after their contract is over. Still, I will continue to work hard and hope for the best.
I think I took the right decision in coming here because the conditions in England would have forced us to migrate anyway. Doing it this way, I have learned the customs and traditions of this new country and this can help us later on when we settle here.
Nowadays, the conditions are very harsh and this might force the indentured servants to rebel. Maybe in the future some laws might be created for the protection of our rights. Or African slavery might be used more often.
Here I close my letter. Please pray for me and wish me the best. Take care.
Sincerely yours,
Kaminkow Bacon
