Owing to their color and the ease with which they found sympathizers among the white population, however, the runaways often managed to make good their escape.
To give a complete list of Washington's indentured servants, even if it were possible, would be tedious and tiresome.

For the most part he bought them in order to obtain skilled workmen.

Thus in 1760 we find him writing to a Doctor Ross, of Philadelphia, to purchase for him a joiner, a brick-layer and a gardener, if any ship with servants was in port.

As late as 1786 he bought the time of a Dutchman named Overdursh, who was a ditcher and mower, and of his wife, a spinner, washer and milker; also their daughter.

The same year he "received from on board the Brig Anna, from Ireland, two servant men for whom I agreed yesterday--viz--Thomas Ryan, a shoemaker, and Cavan Bowen a Tayler Redemptioners for 3 years service by Indenture." These cost him twelve pounds each.