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.

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redemptioner British  

/ rɪˈdɛmpʃənə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of redemptioner

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

Example Sentences

Sons and daughters of German farmers in Pennsylvania and many a redemptioner who had discharged his bond of servitude pressed out into Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, or beyond.

From History of the United States by Beard, Charles A. (Charles Austin)

Perhaps the most noted of these was Matthew Lyon of Vermont, known as "the Hampden of Congress," who, on his arrival in New York in 1765, was sold as a "redemptioner" to pay his passage-money.

From The Glories of Ireland by Lennox, P. J.

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

Not fancying the idea of becoming a son of �sculapius he flew the course and without money or the knowledge of his friends entered as a redemptioner on board a vessel bound for Philadelphia.

From Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by Judson, L. Carroll