William Moraley
Encyclopedia
William Moraley was an Englishman
who emigrated to Philadelphia
, Pennsylvania
in 1729 as an indentured servant
. In his autobiography
, The Infourtunate: or the Voyage and Adventures of William Moraley, Written by Himself, originally published in 1743, Moraley gives a different view of colonial America, commenting on the lives of slaves, servants and Native Americans, topics not often mentioned by other writers of the time.
The book is used in college history courses, contrasting the lives of wealthy landowners and government figures with the lives of common people. It is often taught in conjunction with Benjamin Franklin
's autobiography. Moraley describes flora, fauna and life in general as a commoner would, with a non-esoteric vernacular and little respect for scientific details.
An edition of this book published in 1992 and edited by Susan E. Klepp and Billy G. Smith has an extensive introduction with biographical information, and commentary on the contrast between this work and others of the era.
Englishman
Englishman may refer to:*English people*Grey Partridge*Jason Englishman, Canadian rock music singer and guitarist*Jenny-Bea Englishman, real name of the Canadien singer Esthero*Erald Briscoe, reggae musician who records under the name Englishman...
who emigrated to Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1729 as an indentured servant
Indentured servant
Indentured servitude refers to the historical practice of contracting to work for a fixed period of time, typically three to seven years, in exchange for transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities during the term of indenture. Usually the father made the arrangements and signed...
. In his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, The Infourtunate: or the Voyage and Adventures of William Moraley, Written by Himself, originally published in 1743, Moraley gives a different view of colonial America, commenting on the lives of slaves, servants and Native Americans, topics not often mentioned by other writers of the time.
The book is used in college history courses, contrasting the lives of wealthy landowners and government figures with the lives of common people. It is often taught in conjunction with Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
's autobiography. Moraley describes flora, fauna and life in general as a commoner would, with a non-esoteric vernacular and little respect for scientific details.
An edition of this book published in 1992 and edited by Susan E. Klepp and Billy G. Smith has an extensive introduction with biographical information, and commentary on the contrast between this work and others of the era.