60 years later, in the early years of the chesapeake bay settlements, colonial officials found it difficult to convince people to come and work for them. this was because the weather and environment of the settlements was very harsh. there was a very high chance that people would die. most people came from great britain as indentured laborers. they signed contracts that said they would pay with work for their transportation, their upkeep, and their training, usually on a farm. the colonies had agricultural economies. these people were often young people who wanted to become permanent residents. in some cases, convicted criminals were sent to the colonies as indentured laborers, rather than being sent to prison. these people were not slaves, but they were required to work for four to seven years in virginia to pay for the cost of their transportation and maintenance. many germans, scots-irish, and irish came to the colonies in the 18th century, settling in the backcountry of pennsylvania and further south.