Hi Everyone, My question pertains to both Genealogy and History (don't they all?). In Colonial New York State, was the title "servant" always used in reference to an indentured servant, i.e. someone who was "working off" his or her passage, or did it also pertain to an employee, such as a manservant? My 7x-g-grandfather is listed as a servant when testifying at a coroner's inquest re the drowning death of his MASTER in 1681 Westchester County, NY. It's the word Master that throws me here. Servants in people's homes in twentieth century America have employers, not masters, because they are non-indentured. If my ancestor was indentured for passage, then he should be on a ships list shortly before 1681 as an immigrant to this country. I haven't found him. If he were just an employee, then he could have been in America for quite some time before coming to Westchester. I don't know at this point in which direction to go. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Maureen