The Infortunate
October 2, 2013
The Infortunate
William Moraley
Edited by: Susan E. Klepp & Billy G. Smith
The Infortunate is an autobiography about the life of an indentured servant in the 1700’s. In his story, William Moraley talks about the jobs he once performed as a young man which included working as a clerk attorney, and then later learning the skill of watch making from Henry May by the age of seventeen. (Klepp and Smith, pg 8-9). About ten years later, Moraley’s family moved to Newcastle and soon after moving, his father passed. (Klepp and Smith, pg 12). While his mother obtained most his father’s fortune, Moraley then decided to move to Pennsylvania. After realizing the trouble it would be for a poor man to move from England to Pennsylvania, he decided to sell himself for work as an indentured servant. (Klepp and Smith, pg 12-17). While still in his home country, Moraley met a man who introduced the idea of indentured servitude to him. This man convinced Moraley that his best bet for a successful life was in America so Moraley agreed to venture to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by ship. Before he left for America, Moraley had to take an oath stating that he was not married, nor was he an apprentice by indenture which was paid for by this man. (Klepp and Smith, pg 14-16). According to the contract of servitude written for Moraley, the man that helped him so much was known under the name of Neal MacNeal. The contract also noted that Moraley's destination was the Caribbean island of Antigua, which is where MacNeal sent the bulk of his recruits to. (Klepp and Smith, pg 14). After arriving to Philadelphia in December of 1729, Moraley was the last of his companions to be sold off. During his time spent in Philadelphia, he was allowed to wander about the city which was not typical for servants. (Klepp and Smith, pg 26-28). Three weeks later, Moraley was then sold to Isaac Pearson of Burlington, New Jersey. He was a
The Infortunate
William Moraley
Edited by: Susan E. Klepp & Billy G. Smith
The Infortunate is an autobiography about the life of an indentured servant in the 1700’s. In his story, William Moraley talks about the jobs he once performed as a young man which included working as a clerk attorney, and then later learning the skill of watch making from Henry May by the age of seventeen. (Klepp and Smith, pg 8-9). About ten years later, Moraley’s family moved to Newcastle and soon after moving, his father passed. (Klepp and Smith, pg 12). While his mother obtained most his father’s fortune, Moraley then decided to move to Pennsylvania. After realizing the trouble it would be for a poor man to move from England to Pennsylvania, he decided to sell himself for work as an indentured servant. (Klepp and Smith, pg 12-17). While still in his home country, Moraley met a man who introduced the idea of indentured servitude to him. This man convinced Moraley that his best bet for a successful life was in America so Moraley agreed to venture to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by ship. Before he left for America, Moraley had to take an oath stating that he was not married, nor was he an apprentice by indenture which was paid for by this man. (Klepp and Smith, pg 14-16). According to the contract of servitude written for Moraley, the man that helped him so much was known under the name of Neal MacNeal. The contract also noted that Moraley's destination was the Caribbean island of Antigua, which is where MacNeal sent the bulk of his recruits to. (Klepp and Smith, pg 14). After arriving to Philadelphia in December of 1729, Moraley was the last of his companions to be sold off. During his time spent in Philadelphia, he was allowed to wander about the city which was not typical for servants. (Klepp and Smith, pg 26-28). Three weeks later, Moraley was then sold to Isaac Pearson of Burlington, New Jersey. He was a