redemptioner

[ ri-demp-shuh-ner ]

/ rɪˈdɛmp ʃə nər /

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

Origin of redemptioner

First recorded in 1765–75; redemption + -er¹

And if my father came out a redemptioner, and worked his way, so had old Mr. Dulany.

Richard Carvel, Complete |Winston Churchill
The Sot-Weed Factor gives a much less rose-colored account of the life of a redemptioner.

The Colonial Cavalier |Maud Wilder Goodwin
Mr. Quimby bought him at the wharf out of a redemptioner ship.

Pencil Sketches |Eliza Leslie
Overdursh,--, Dutch redemptioner bought with his family, 167.

George Washington: Farmer |Paul Leland Haworth

This proprietor, who is now so wealthy, came over a redemptioner, and owes his present wealth to his industry and frugality.

Travels Through North America, v. 1-2 |Berhard Saxe-Weimar Eisenach

redemptioner

/ (rɪˈdɛmpʃənə) /

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