Colonial Ways of Life Mr. Heath Spring 2016

The Gentry Included: Wealthy Planters with large plantations Business Owners Lawyers Government Officials

The Gentry: Women In charge of home life Ran the house Took care of the children Provided medical care for everyone on planation

The Gentry: Children Educated often by a private tutor Both boys and girls learned to read and write. Both boys and girls learned to play a musical instrument. Boys learned Latin and Greek. Girls learned to sew.

Gentry Education

Drayton Hall, Near Charleston Typical Colonial Plantation Home Homes of Gentry Class Large Homes Furnished with fancy furniture imported from England Drayton Hall, Near Charleston Built in 1738 Typical Colonial Plantation Home

Colonial Plantation Homes

Possessions of the Gentry Large Library of Books Musical Instruments Fine Clothes Gold Jewelry

Families in the Middle Neither rich nor poor Owned a home and some land Some rented land from someone else. Many were craftsmen such as carpenters and cobblers. May have had one or two slaves or servants

Colonial Middle Class Homes Most homes simple One or two rooms Fireplace for cooking and keeping the house warm Usually dirt floors Made much of their own furniture and clothes

Colonial Middle Class Roles “A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.” Men Women Worked in fields or at their craft. Made and washed clothes Prepared the meals Took care of garden Made candles Children Both boys and girls helped with the family’s work.