John Ruston Pagan’s book, Anne Orthwood’s Bastard: Sex and Law in Early Virginia closely examines the legal system and social structures in Virginia during the seventeenth century. Pagan initially focuses on Anne Orthwood, an indentured servant, who has become pregnant out-of-wedlock. Orthwood’s illegitimate pregnancy captured the interest of the courts by creating four legal cases that challenged early English law in Virginia. By following Anne Orthwood’s life and the cases that stemmed from her trial, Pagan is able to examine the slow evolution of law in America while highlighting its differences from England. Pagan describes Anne Orthwood as an indentured servant who had been labeled a bastard as a child. The courts in Virginia during this …show more content…
Jasper Cross had only been her employer for a brief amount of time before eventually selling her indenture to William Kendall. Kendall was one of Northampton County’s most well-known and respected citizens. When describing this transaction, Pagan notes how Anne was not seen as a piece of property similar to livestock. Since Cross had the rights to Anne’s services, he was simply transferring these services over to her new master, Kendall. It is at this point where Anne Orthwood meets William Kendall’s nephew, John Kendall. Anne and John’s budding turned out to be a concern for William. This prompts William to sell her indenture to a new employer, Jacob Bishopp. Pagan points out that there may be several reasons as to why Bishopp eventually decides to sell Anne’s indenture. One possible motive could have been for economical reasons. With the drop in tobacco prices, Bishopp might have felt his business was unstable, thus a need to reduce his group of employees. However, Pagan also points out that Bishopp could have been aware of Anne’s pregnancy. Anne’s inability to complete her duties would have been a financial hit for her employer. Bishopp’s decision to sell Anne’s services to William Waters would eventually spark a law suit, Waters v.