Of the Servants and Slaves in Virginia

Robert Beverley was a Virginia Planter who wrote about the slave society which existed
in Virginia during the beginning of the 18
th
century.
The slaves, who were servants, were distinguished by the Names of Slaves for Life and
Servants for a time. Slaves were considered to be Negroes, and the future generations would
follow the condition of their mother. African Americans were classified as slaves because it
reflected their time of service, which would be as long as their lifetime.
Servants were only individuals who served for a few years, and this depended on the time
of their Indenture, or the customs of their homeland. If the customs of their country does not
include indentures, then those servants who are under 19 years old were taken to court to have
their age determined, and from that age up until they are 24 they will be servants. However, if
they were categorized as being older than nineteen then they were only required to be servants
for 5 years.
Both male and female servants were employed together and were required to tile and
manure the ground, they were required to sow and plant tobacco, corn, etc. There were some
distinctions between male and female slaves because of their clothing and food. However, the
work of the male and female slaves was nothing other than what their overseers, the freemen,
and the planters could do themselves.
There was a significant distinction made between the female-servants, and the slaves.
White women were never put work in the ground if she would be able to do other tasks. And to
discourage planters from using women for physical labor, there were laws that imposed heavy
taxes upon those who used them. However, African American women were not included in this
system, so they were allowed to work the land, and work outside.
I can't forbear affirming, that the work of their Servants, and Slaves, is no other than what
every common Freeman do's. Neither is any Servant requir'd to do more in a Day, than his
Overseer. And I can assure you with a great deal of Truth, that generally their Slaves are not
worked near so hard, nor so many Hours in a Day, as the Husbandmen, and Day-Labourers
in England. An Overseer is a Man, that having served his time, has acquired the Skill and
Character of an experienced Planter, and is therefore intrusted with the Direction of the
Servants and Slaves.

There were also extremely specific laws which were for servants by their country:
1. All servants were entitled to have their complaints heard with charge, and if their Master
was found guilty then the charge of the complaint would be imposed upon him.
2. Any Justice of Peace could receive the complaint of a servant, and the final verdict would be
determined by the next County-Court.
3. All masters were required to provide their servants with a good diet, clothes, and living
arrangements.
4. Servants were always required to appear to their duties, or else their services could be
forfeited.
5. Any and all complaints from servants were to be received by the court at any time, without a
process, and would not be delayed. The merits of the complaints would be immediately
sent to the Justices for inquiry, and if their Masters cause any sort of problem then the Court
is allowed to remove the servants until their Master goes to trial.
6. If a Master is to disobey the Order of Court, the Court is allowed to remove the servant and
deliver to another Master who will be kinder to them.
7. If a Master is cruel and uses his Servant when they are ill, sick, or unable to perform their
service, they will be removed by the Church-Wardens, and they will be relocated to some
good Planters House.
8. All hired servants are entitled to the listed Priviledges.
9. No Master can make a new bargain for service, or conduct other business with his servant
without the consent of a Justice of Peace.
10. The property, money, and goods sent to the Servants or carried with them is only
themselves, and remains entirely to their disposal.
11. Each servant at his freedom receives 15 bushels of corn (which is enough for 1 year), 2 new
suits of clothes (both linen and wool), and then becomes free in all respects. They would be
entitled to all the liberties, privileges of the country as any other individual or native would
be.
12. Servants also have the right to take up 50 acres of land that unaccounted for.

These were all the laws which were in favor of servants.