SECTIONS Families and Leisure during the Colonial Era

Colonial Families Families included grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, stepchildren Most married in their 20s More men than women in the colonies Large families: most had 7-10 children  Children helped with work  Many died before adulthood  More in Southern and Middle colonies (Malaria) People remarried quickly  Households often had stepchildren or orphans Life focused on the family

Colonial Family

Leisure Quilting bees, chopping bees, corn husking bees Barn and house raising Children had simple toys and played games Adults played cards, lawn bowling, billiards Southern Colonies  Fox hunting, horse racing, cockfighting (not NE) Colonial fairs—competitions of skill

Quilting Bee

Corn Husking Bee

Lawn Bowling

4.12 Food Corn was a major part of the colonial diet Eaten at both breakfast and dinner Corn mush Corn cakes

Meat Major part of colonial diet Hunted wild deer, rabbits, birds Raised pigs, cattle, chicken Problem – no refrigeration Solution – pickle, smoke, dry Use pepper and spice to disguise bad meat

Fruit and vegetables Apples another major food Used fresh or dry all year Picked berries in summer Vegetables unhealthy unless cooked well Main meal of day eaten mid day – mushy vegetable stew cooked with meat and spices from the garden