What happened to female indentured servants when they got pregnant in the tobacco colonies of the Chesapeake in the seventeenth century?

Answer 1

In the tobacco colonies of the Chesapeake during the seventeenth century, if female indentured servants became pregnant, the consequences were often severe. They could face extended periods of servitude, as their contracts might be lengthened to account for the time lost during childbirth and caring for the child. Additionally, the fathers of the children, who were often white male planters or laborers, had little to no legal obligations towards the mothers or their offspring. This situation often resulted in increased hardship for the women, as they had to navigate both the challenges of servitude and motherhood without adequate support.