Perhaps we are all converging on the definition. Ann is correct that few convict types came to Maryland, so the Maryland-o-Centric definition applies - it was transportation that transported them. But, Britain had a habit of sending to the colonies (and to their Caribbean possessions) folks with a police or court record whom they did not want to keep at home. This continued, albeit minimally to Maryland, but when the American Revolution ended, the Brits could no longer send those types of misfits to America. As a result they began sending them to Australia. Britain definitely used the term "transported" for them. Modern Australians are now proud if their ancestors populated their continent that way! - Bye from Bill Howard On Apr 23, 2007, at 8:48 AM, Ann Stinson wrote: > This is what Peter Thompson wrote: > I don't think this distinction between immigrated and > transported is correct (see below). I think immigrate refers to > those who paid their own passage to come as opposed to those whose > passage was paid for by someone else, either willingly or otherwise. > The Conditions for Land Grants under Baltimore's government has a > rich history. (For a quick summary see "The Flowering of the Maryland > Palatinate" by Harry Wright Newman, starting at page 61. > (Incidentally in the next chapter he reviews "Hundreds".)) In the > early days of Maryland many, actually most, came as transportees and > had to work off their indentures under carefully defined contracts. > These people hadn't done anything wrong--they just agreed to work off > the cost of their passage. Under English inheritance laws generally > only the oldest son inherited the family lands. Younger sons who had > no means of support often indentured themselves to come to Maryland. > After they had "paid" for their service they were awarded land under > the"Conditions" terms. Very few transportees came to Maryland > against their will. > > I think Peter is correct. Most of those who came against their > will were Scot prisoners. Most of those who were transported were > family members. Even if they could afford to pay their own way, it > was beneficial to all to have financial help with the costs of > transportation as the benefactors were awarded land, and land was > more useful than money. Immigrants, of course, paid their own way. > In any event, immigrants , transportees and Scot prisoners were > land rich in short order. i.e. Ninian Beall.