Life in the American Colonies

VA, MA, PA, NC and MD: largest populations by VA, MA, PA, NC and MD: largest populations by Since 1760, the overall population had increased by almost 1 million people largely because of a high birthrate. Since 1760, the overall population had increased by almost 1 million people largely because of a high birthrate. It was not uncommon for a man to go through several wives because they often died in childbirth. It was not uncommon for a man to go through several wives because they often died in childbirth. Most of this population lived in rural areas. Most of this population lived in rural areas.

Ethnic Composition of the Colonies English largest ethnic group English largest ethnic group Many Germans moved to Pennsylvania Many Germans moved to Pennsylvania Large number of Scotch-Irish lived along the frontier Large number of Scotch-Irish lived along the frontier Largest non-English group was African, most of whom were slaves. The vast majority of African-Americans lived in the South. Largest non-English group was African, most of whom were slaves. The vast majority of African-Americans lived in the South.

Social Organization Aristocrats including merchants, officials and clergymen Aristocrats including merchants, officials and clergymen Lesser professionals Lesser professionals Yeoman farmers Yeoman farmers Manual workers and hired hands Manual workers and hired hands Indentured servants and criminals Indentured servants and criminals African-American slaves African-American slaves

A New England kitchen. A hundred years ago Digital ID: (digital file from b&w film copy neg.) cph 3a Reproduction Number: LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.) Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA

Sack Back Gown and Matching Petticoats. Brocaded silk taffeta, linen bodice and sleeve linings, made in England or Virginia by Elizabeth Dandridge Aylett Henley.G

Mrs. Gavin Lawson (Susannah Rose) by John Hesselius. Oil on Canvas. Virginia, dated Mrs. Lawson wife of a planter and merchant of Stafford County, Virginia, wears a satin gown with stomacher front, fine lace, and pearls

Everyday Life Medicine: Bleeding was a common practice. Barbers and physicians practiced medicine. Medicine: Bleeding was a common practice. Barbers and physicians practiced medicine. Sanitation was poor. Smallpox was common. No running water or plumbing. Trash often thrown in the streets. Sanitation was poor. Smallpox was common. No running water or plumbing. Trash often thrown in the streets. Transportation: Poor system of roads making long distance communication difficult. Taverns along roads were important places for gossip and information. Transportation: Poor system of roads making long distance communication difficult. Taverns along roads were important places for gossip and information. Food was abundant. America provided fertile land and ample hunting grounds. Food was abundant. America provided fertile land and ample hunting grounds. Amusement: House raisings, quilting bees and other work opportunities allowed people to gather. Religion was very important and provided another gathering place. Amusement: House raisings, quilting bees and other work opportunities allowed people to gather. Religion was very important and provided another gathering place.

Leeches could ingest ten times their weight in a patient's blood.

Instruments used for bloodletting were often crude and unsanitary.

The eighteenth-century version of the universal cure was bloodletting. The genuine physician and the quack alike resorted to it in cases from brain fever to broken legs, colic to cancer.

An early version of a hack saw was also used by a surgeon.

Work Most individuals were farmers. Land was cheap and abundant. Most individuals were farmers. Land was cheap and abundant. Lumbering was most important manufacturing activity. Lumbering was most important manufacturing activity. Triangle Trade Triangle Trade Source: Florida Virtual School

Religion Two established religions (1775) - Anglican and Congregational Two established religions (1775) - Anglican and Congregational Roman Catholics were discriminated against. Roman Catholics were discriminated against. Salem Witch Trials occurred in 1692 Salem Witch Trials occurred in 1692 Great Awakening - This religious revival was America's first mass movement. Two clergymen who helped lead this mass wave of evangelism were Jonathan Edwards and Cotton Mather. Great Awakening - This religious revival was America's first mass movement. Two clergymen who helped lead this mass wave of evangelism were Jonathan Edwards and Cotton Mather.

Education New England: Primary and secondary schools were established early so individuals could read their Bible. New England: Primary and secondary schools were established early so individuals could read their Bible. South: Mass education not common. Wealthier families used tutors. South: Mass education not common. Wealthier families used tutors. New England: College education important. Harvard University was founded in 1636 partially to train new clergy. Many families sent their children to England for study. New England: College education important. Harvard University was founded in 1636 partially to train new clergy. Many families sent their children to England for study.

Art and Literature Art was not a major concern in early America. Art was not a major concern in early America. Architecture was modeled after England. Architecture was modeled after England. Literature was mainly theological in nature. Jonathan Edwards was one of the main authors. Literature was mainly theological in nature. Jonathan Edwards was one of the main authors. Benjamin Franklin wrote Poor Richard's Almanack that was known for its pithy sayings like: Waste Not, Want Not. Benjamin Franklin wrote Poor Richard's Almanack that was known for its pithy sayings like: Waste Not, Want Not. Franklin set up the first privately supported library in America. Franklin set up the first privately supported library in America. Printing presses and newspapers were common. Printing presses and newspapers were common.

Politics By the Revolution, eight colonies had royal governors, three had proprietors who chose governors, and two elected their own governors. By the Revolution, eight colonies had royal governors, three had proprietors who chose governors, and two elected their own governors. Almost all colonies had a two-house legislative body. Almost all colonies had a two-house legislative body. London did not spend a lot of time administering the colonies. This was known as 'salutary neglect.' London did not spend a lot of time administering the colonies. This was known as 'salutary neglect.' Local government varied. In the South, counties ruled. In New England, the citizens participated in town meetings (direct democracy). Local government varied. In the South, counties ruled. In New England, the citizens participated in town meetings (direct democracy). A tradition of self-rule became grounded in the colonies. A tradition of self-rule became grounded in the colonies.