Gender, Season, Society Daily Life in New France and British North America

Their Location

Daily Life for the Settlers Relied heavily on agriculture as their primary source of food. Men would clear the land of forests and scrub brush and it took up to a year to clear 1 hectare. Men also went into the brush to hunt animals for the Fur Trade or trade with the local Indigenous peoples. Called Coureurs de Bois.

Farming Practices

Daily Life in New France In addition to their farming the settlers depended on animals they raised as another sources of food. The Habitants grew wheat, peas, barley, oats and barely. They raised chickens, pigs, cows, sheep and horses as sources of food and other resources. The men were in charge of farming only becoming bushmen once their children were old enough to run the farm.

Daily Life in New France The women were in charge of the Household They watched over the children, often having around 10 children. The women maintained the house, worked the gardens, cooked meals and sewed clothing. Women also appeared to often manage the family business expenses and own Inns,.

Managing the House

Social Life The Habitants went to Church regularly on Sundays. Those these days were spiritually important they were also a time to socialize with friends. During the winters the Habitants regularly got together with friends for feasts and to party.