William Moraley facts for kids
William Moraley (1698–1762) was an Englishman who moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1729. He came as an indentured servant, which meant he agreed to work for someone for a set number of years to pay for his trip to America.
His book, The Infourtunate: or the Voyage and Adventures of William Moraley, Written by Himself, was first published in 1743. It gives a special look at life in colonial America. Moraley wrote about the lives of servants, enslaved people, and Native Americans. These topics were not often mentioned by other writers at that time.
Who Was William Moraley?
William Moraley was born in England in 1698. He decided to leave his home country and travel to the American colonies. In 1729, he arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This city was a busy and growing place in colonial America.
When Moraley arrived, he became an indentured servant. This was a common way for people who couldn't afford their journey to come to America. They would sign a contract to work for a master for several years. In return, their trip was paid for, and they often received food, housing, and sometimes clothes.
A Different Kind of Story
Many books from the 1700s were written by wealthy people or important government figures. William Moraley's book is different. He wrote about his own experiences as an ordinary person. His story gives us a look at daily life from a commoner's point of view.
He described the plants and animals he saw. He also wrote about the people he met. This included other servants, enslaved people, and Native Americans. His writing style was simple and easy to understand. He didn't use complicated scientific words. This makes his book feel very real and personal.
Why His Book Matters Today
Today, William Moraley's book is used in history classes at colleges. It helps students understand what life was like for everyone in colonial America. It shows a different side of history than books written by richer people.
For example, it is often studied alongside The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was a famous and successful person. Moraley's book helps to show the contrast between the lives of the rich and the lives of common people. It helps us see the full picture of history.
An updated version of Moraley's book was published in 1992. It was edited by Susan E. Klepp and Billy G. Smith. This edition has a long introduction. It shares more details about Moraley's life. It also explains how his book is different from other writings from that time. This makes it even more helpful for students and historians.
