## Richard Frethorne's Letter: A Glimpse into Indentured Servitude in 17th Century Virginia This letter, written by Richard Frethorne on April 3rd, 1623, paints a grim picture of life as an indentured servant in the Virginia Colony. It's a powerful firsthand account of hardship, fear, and desperation. ### The Harsh Realities of Life in Virginia Frethorne's letter vividly describes the brutal conditions he faced: * **Disease and Sickness:** He details widespread illness, including scurvy and bloody flux, leading to weakness and poor health. Scurvy is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, common among sailors and those with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. * **Starvation and Inadequate Food:** His diet consists primarily of peas and "loblollie" (water gruel), a stark contrast to the food he enjoyed in England. Rations are meager; a penny loaf is divided among four men. Imagine surviving on a tiny portion of bread and a few spoonfuls of watery porridge each day. This highlights the extreme scarcity of food. * **Constant Fear:** The constant threat of Indian attacks creates a pervasive atmosphere of fear and anxiety. He mentions a recent combat and the vulnerability of their plantation, outnumbered 32 to 3000. It's easy to underestimate the psychological toll of living in constant fear. Frethorne's letter shows how this fear permeates every aspect of life. * **Backbreaking Labor:** Long working hours are the norm, with little reward beyond the meager rations. The phrase "work hard both early and late" emphasizes the relentless nature of the labor expected of indentured servants. * **Lack of Possessions:** Frethorne describes his poverty, possessing only one suit of clothes, one pair of shoes, and a few other essential items. Even his cloak has been stolen. This lack of possessions underscores the vulnerability and powerlessness of indentured servants. **Key Takeaway:** Life as an indentured servant in 17th-century Virginia was characterized by disease, starvation, fear, and backbreaking labor. ### Frethorne's Plea for Help The core of the letter is a desperate plea to his parents for help: * **Redemption:** He begs his parents to redeem him from his servitude, either by paying his debt or sending provisions. Redemption refers to buying his freedom from his indenture contract. * **Specific Requests:** He requests specific provisions like beef, cheese, butter, and old cheese (carefully packed to prevent spoilage during transport). He emphasizes the profitability of these items in Virginia. His detailed instructions on packing the cheese show his understanding of the challenges of transporting goods across the Atlantic. * **Goodman Jackson's Help:** He highlights the kindness of Goodman Jackson, who has provided him with shelter and support, further emphasizing his dire situation. * **Emotional Appeal:** He uses emotionally charged language, describing his tears, sighs, and despair, to appeal to his parents' compassion. **Key Takeaway:** Frethorne's plea is a powerful testament to the desperation and suffering experienced by indentured servants, highlighting the human cost of the colonial system. ### The Violence and Instability of the Colony Beyond his personal struggles, Frethorne describes the violence and instability of the colony: * **Indian Raids:** He recounts a recent attack where the Indians killed the captain of a pinnace, decapitated him, and paraded his head. This illustrates the brutality of the conflict. * **Growing Boldness of Indians:** He notes the increasing skill of the Indians in using firearms, posing a greater threat to the colonists. * **Threat of Starvation:** The lack of crops due to previous raids and the limited food supplies leave the plantation on the brink of starvation. **Key Takeaway:** The letter reveals the volatile and dangerous environment of the Virginia colony, shaped by conflict with Native Americans and the precariousness of food supplies. ### Conclusion: A Window into the Past Richard Frethorne's letter provides a poignant and unflinching look at the harsh realities of indentured servitude in 17th-century Virginia. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of colonization and the struggles faced by those who built the early American colonies. His desperate plea for help resonates across centuries, offering a glimpse into the lives of those often overlooked in historical narratives.