According to article linked to below, both White and Black indentured servants in Virginia early in the 17th century were freed after a period of time - and given "freedom dues", usually a piece of land, supplies, and a gun. I've read of a similar practice in Pennsylvania. How long did it continue for? I'm still working on where my ancestor got the resources to buy his piece of land after not long in this country... He had to have arrived after 1787, and he bought the land in 1798, in London Britain township. I theorize that he and his wife, who worked for some time for a local farmer, may have been indentured servants. Also, would hte gift have been in cash, or in land? The deed says John Smith and his wife Isabella paid $65 in cash. Dora --- REDSKI9136@aol.com wrote: > <A > HREF="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aiaold/part1/1narr3_txt.html">Click > here: > Africans in America | Part 1 | Narrative | From > Indentured Servitude to > Racial Slavery</A> > http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aiaold/part1/1narr3_txt.html > > > > Mary Jane, Bright Star > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/