Initially a device used to transport European workers to the New World, over time servitude dwindled as black slavery grew in importance in the British colonies.
"[3] Although most Irish immigrants were free or indentured and not slaves, it has been popularly claimed that Cromwell's sale of thousands of military prisoners in the 1650s could be seen as closer to slavery than voluntary indentured immigration.
Chattel slavery was a different legal category based on race as codified in The Barbados Slave Code, did not cease after a period of time (usually 7 years for indentured servitude), and stripped those who fell under it entirely of their rights.
Moreover, school absenteeism, poor health, the mixture between members of the same family (which causes severe disease in their descendants) and the poverty of the community, reinforced by the possession of small land, shortage of employment opportunities and maintenance of large families (and therefore greater food shortages for each of its members), have adversely affected their presence on the island.
Today, redlegs are characterized by anomalies and difficulties to survive on the island.