What is a labor contract that young impoverished and often illiterate English men (and occasionally English women) signed in England pledging to work for a number of years?

Answer 1

The labor contract you are referring to is known as an "indentured servitude" agreement. Young impoverished men and women in England would sign these contracts, agreeing to work for a specific number of years—typically four to seven—in exchange for passage to America, basic necessities, and sometimes training in a trade. Indentured servitude was a common practice during the 17th and 18th centuries, allowing individuals to escape poverty while providing labor to colonial landowners. While it offered an opportunity for a better life, many faced harsh conditions and limited freedoms during their term of service.