A sizable indentured servants' uprising occurs in Virginia in 1661 over the issue of adequate food.

The customary ration for servants at this time includes meat three times a week.

When a planter named Major Goodwin decided to keep his servants on a diet of cornbread and water, discontent followed.

Leaders of the servants named Isaac Friend and William Cluton determine to petition the king for redress.

 

According to one witness, the plot becomes more troublesome to the plantation owners when Isaac Friend states, "they would get a matter of Forty of them together and get Gunnes, and he (Cluton) would be the first and lead them and cry as they went along 'who would be for liberty and freed from bondage?' and that there would enough come to them, and they would goe through the country and Kill those that made any opposition, and that they would either be free or die for it". (Punctuation editor's.)

 

The York county court settles the case by bounding William Cluton over for inciting servants to rebellion, but after several witnesses testify to his good character, the judges discharge him.

Isaac Friend escapes punishment as well.

The court admonishes the masters and magistrates to keep a close watch on their servants.