The English Colonies

Jamestown Jamestown was the first successful English colony in the New World. They had a rough start but with the help of John Smith and Powhatan Indians the colony survived. It was not until Tobacco was introduced as a cash crop that it was saved and became successful.

Plymouth Plymouth was founded by Puritans seeking to escape religious persecution back in England. The Mayflower compact was one of the first instances of representative government in the colonies. Like Jamestown they had a rough start. Many of the Pilgrims died in the first year. With the help of Native Americans like Squanto and Samoset the Pilgrims were able to survive and thrive in the new world.

The New England Colonies The New England colonies were mostly proprietary colonies. The soil was poor for farming. They relied on fishing, whaling and logging as the basis for their economy.

The Middle Colonies The Middle colonies were sometimes called the bread basket colonies. They had great soil for farming.

The Southern Colonies Cash crops that would not grow in colder northern colonies were important in the South. They used slaves to grow tobacco, rice, and indigo.

Colonial Life

Social Classes The Gentry (wealthy merchants, nobles, plantation owners and royal officials) The Middle Class (farmers and craftsmen) Indentured servants/poor (Worked to pay off a contract for passage) Slaves

Daily Life Most colonists were farmers. Men were responsible for outdoor labor such as planting and harvesting crops or butchering cattle. Women were responsible for food preparation, sewing and cleaning. Children did not go to school. They were educated at home or by a local minister in some places. This was usually reserved for the boys as they were expected to run the farm later in life.

Daily City Life Tradesmen worked long hours in order to be successful. During busy times, they might work 16 hours a day for six days a week. Merchants would spend their days in their office or inspecting goods at the docks. Women had similar jobs to those in rural areas. They were responsible for preparing food, cleaning and sewing. More children in cities had an opportunity to be educated. Boys might attend a Latin Grammar school where they would learn Latin, Greek, and some basic math. Wealthy children would be taught by hired tutors or sent off to school in England.

Food Corn was a staple of most colonial diets. In rural areas people ate a variety of game animals such as deer, turkey, squirrel and pigeons. Breakfast and supper included cold meat and bread. Dinner was served in the early afternoon and usually consisted of a meat stew. Food was difficult to store. Some meats were salted and root vegetables were stored in cellars. Most food was consumed seasonally.

Religion Religion was an important part of life in the colonies. Churches served as community centers. Almost all colonists practices some form of Christianity. In many colonies it was illegal to skip church. Churches kept important community records such as births and deaths.

Crime and Punishment There were no jails or prisons like we have today. Minor crimes such as petty theft, drunkenness, swearing and not going to church were punished in a Varity of ways. Crimes such as robbery, counterfeiting, murder, piracy and treason were punished by death. Most criminals with a death sentence were hung.

Travel Colonial travel was difficult. Most people did not go far from their homes. Ships were the most reliable way to travel long distances. There were almost no roads between colonies during colonial times. The few that existed were private roads that charged a toll to use.