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For the first two centuries of the history of British North America, one word best
characterizes the status of the vast majority of immigrants -servitude. From the
founding ofJamestown until the Revolution, nearly three-fourths of all immigrants
to the thirteen colonies arrived in some condition of unfreedom. (See tables 1 and
2.) These migrations of slaves, convicts, and servants played a critical role in the
demographic, economic, social, and cultural development of the colonies. When
they came (or were brought) in large numbers, these strangers often caused a sen-
sation in colonial society. Yet at a time when servitude was considered "normal,"
few were concerned that their arrival in America meant a temporary or permanent
loss of freedom for most of them.1