George Garioch, merchant in Aberdeen, depones, that about the year 1740, and forward for some years, several of the gentlemen merchants in Aberdeen, were in use to indent servants for America: and if any young boys or girls of under-age were so indented, and that any of their parents or relations came to claim them back, even after they were indented and attested, they were, so far as the deponent knows or remembers, delivered back to their parents or relations, upon paying up what money the merchant had disbursed on their account.

Depones, that he was informed, that, unless a servant was attested, their indentures were of no avail, and which was his own opinion.

Depones, that several servants were indented in the years 1740 and 1741, at which time provisions were scarce in this country; that many servants were turned oft from their masters, who could not afford them daily bread for their work, which forced sundry persons to come from the country to Aberdeen and indent; and on that account, the deponent himself, at that period, indented several out of charity, and, for the above reasons, believes he was the first, at the time of scarcity, that began to indent such servants.

And being interrogated by the said Peter Williamson, whether or not he employed people to go and inlist such kind of servants through the country; or if all the servants he inlisted about that period, came to the deponent's house, voluntarily, to be indented by him?

Depones that he never employed persons to go and bring persons to be indented as servants at his house, but such as he indented came of themselves, or with their companions, voluntarily to him; and that some of those who had indented he has afterwards discharged without exacting any money of them.

And being further interrogated by the said Peter Williamson, whether or not there were any boys or children, from eight to fourteen years of age, that indented themselves with the deponent; or did their parents, after they were indented, come and demand them back from you after they were indented? or did you not send over boys of that age, after they desired themselves to be released, or that their parents or relations had come and demanded them back ? and were any of such young boys or children offered up by their pa- rents or relations to you to be indented for scarcity of bread, who were to your knowledge the master of such servants who dismissed them as before said ? and whether or not did you sell such indented boys in America — for what number of years, and what sums did you receive for them ?

Depones, that he never indented any boy or girl of eight or ten years of age, except when the parents of such children indented with him likewise. [1]

Depones, that he never sent off any boys or girls of under age indented with him, that had been demanded back by their parents or friends.

Depones, that never did he indent any boys or girls in town without their parents consent.

Depones, that several servants were indented as aforesaid to the deponent, who told the deponent they were turned off by their masters for want of bread; but does not remember the name of their masters.

Depones, that he went not to America himself, but that their indentures were sold there from £5 to £8 sterling; that such as were of under age might be indented for five or six years, and such as were of full age only for four. [2]

1. Repeated excuses and inquires concerning the parent’s clearly indicates that it was the custom of the country to sell one’s child under various circumstances.

2. The practice of enslaving [for indenture means exactly that] younger children for longer periods than older children and adults could have no other effect that to encourage the trafficking in younger and younger children, as children were well known to be productive in light agricultural tasks from age five and up.