redemptioner

American  

[ri-demp-shuh-ner] / rɪˈdɛmp ʃə nər /

noun

American History.

1. an emigrant from Europe to America who obtained passage by becoming an indentured servant for a specified period of time.

---

redemptioner British  

/ rɪˈdɛmpʃənə /

noun

1. history an emigrant to Colonial America who paid for his passage by becoming an indentured servant

---

Etymology

Origin of redemptioner

First recorded in 1765–75; redemption + -er ¹

Example Sentences

I tell you ’t was great sport ter see him an’ your redemptioner give it ter each other.

From Janice Meredith by Ford, Paul Leicester

Overdursh,--, Dutch redemptioner bought with his family, 167.

From George Washington: Farmer by Haworth, Paul Leland

Mr. Quimby bought him at the wharf out of a redemptioner ship.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

Many an old caxon or "gossoon"--a wig worn yellow with age--ended its days on the pate of a redemptioner, who thereby acquired dignity and was more likely to be bought as a schoolmaster.

From Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Earle, Alice Morse

One thing they certainly made plain—that Mr. Miller had never taken the Müller family or any part of them to Attakapas or knowingly bought a redemptioner.

From Strange True Stories of Louisiana by Cable, George Washington