“Indentured Servants in Marion: Peter & Susan Magilson” – September 17
Why would a person leave his family home and move across the ocean to a country with an unfamiliar language and an unknown life? What would cause a person to willingly commit himself to seven years of labor and bondage? And following the servitude, how would a person assimilate into the new culture and achieve fulfillment?
Peter Magilson did those exact things. Around 1850, he left Holland and went to America by indenturing himself to a Marion farmer. In 1854, Susan Malgee did the same. After working off their obligations, they became part of the Marion farming community, raised a family and prospered.
“Indentured Servants in Marion, NY – Peter and Susan Magilson” is their story. Told by great, great granddaughter Lucinda Hance Collier, it an oral history passed down by the generations and accompanied with treasured artifacts. It is a story of hope, trust, courage, commitment and faith.
Come to the Walworth Historical Society, 2257 Academy Street, Walworth on Monday, September 17 at 7:30 PM to hear this story from Cinda. Refreshments will be served. The program is FREE and open to the public. Bring a friend and join us!
Lucinda Collier made this presentation in Marion in April. Thanks to Caryn Devlin for the photos.
