During the 17th century, labor needs in the colonies were generally filled by indentured servants from England. In exchange for passage to the colonies, individual men and women signed themselves into virtual slavery, with the stipulation that once their terms of service were completed, they would receive "freedom dues"—land and tools—with which they could establish their own estates. Wesell Webling signed this three-year contract, which offered him passage to America as well as land when he completed his period of indenture.

To all to whom theife presents shall come greeting in o' Lord God everlasting.

Know yee that I Wessell Webling sonne of Nicolas Webling of London Brewer for & in consideration that I have bene furnished & sett out & am to bee transported unto Virginia, at the costs & charges of Edward Bennett of London, marchant & his associates, & for & in consideration that they have promised & covenanted to maintain me with sufficient meat drinke & apparell doe by these presents bind myself an apprentise unto ye said Edward Bennett for the full terme of three yeares to begin the first [fic. feast] of St Michaell the Archangell next after the date of these presents. And I doe promise & bind myself to doe & perform all the said terme of my aprentishippe true & faythfull service in all such labours & busines as the said Edward Bennett or his assignes shall imploy me in, & to bee tractable & obedient as a good servant ought to bee in all such things as shalbe comaunded me by the said Edward Bennett or his Assignes in Virginia, & at the end of the said terme of three yeares the said Edward Bennett do promise to give unto the said apprentice and house & 50 acres of land in Virginia to hold to me my heires & assignes for ever, according to the custome of land there holden, & alsoe shall give to the said apprentice necessary & good apparell, & the sayd apprentice shall inhabitt & dwell uppon the said land, & shall pay yearely for the said fiftye acres of land fro & after the hee shalbe therof possessed unto the said Edward Bennett the yearely rent of 50 shillings starling for ever & two dayes worke yearely, & to all & singuler the covenants aforesaid, one the Party & behalfe of the said apprentice to bee performed & kept in manner & forme as aforesaid. The said apprentice bindeth himselfe to his said Master per these presents: In witnes whereof the Partyes aforesaid to these present Indentures have sett their hands & seales, the 25th of September 1622.

Signett Ed. Bennett
Ext Willm Claybourne