How would you describe your life today? When you are old, you will most likely tell stories of what it was like when you were a child. Perhaps you will speak of what you wore, what you did for entertainment, and the foods you ate. Or maybe you will describe the difficulties you encountered. Would it be difficult or simple to remember these everyday things? Unfortunately, no one is alive today who could tell you about life in the early American colonies. However, some people did record their everyday activities. Below is an account of various bits of information about colonial life.
Young People’s Life in New Hampshire FROM OLD COLONY MEMORIAL (1765)
In general, men old and young, who had got their growth, had a decent coat, vest, and small clothes , (small clothes were breeches, worn with long stockings) and some kind of fur hat. These were for holiday use and would last half a lifetime. Old men had a great coat and a pair of boots. The boots generally lasted for life. . . . Shoes and stockings were not worn by the young men. Few men in farming business wore them either. As for boys, as soon as they were taken out of petticoats, they were put into small clothes summer and winter. This lasted till they put on long trousers, which they called tongs. They were but little different from the pantaloons of today. These were made of linen or cotton and soon were used by old men and young through the warm season. Later they were made of flannel cloth and were in general use for the winter. Young men never thought of great coats; and overcoats were then unknown. As for the women, old and young, they wore flannel gowns in winter. The young women wore wrappers (loose fitting gowns) in the summer, and about their ordinary business they did not wear stockings and shoes. They were usually contented with one calico ( a coarse, brightly printed cloth) gown. They generally had one woolen gown, and another of camel’s hair goods; and some had them made of poplin. The sleeves were short and did not come below the elbow. On holidays they wore one, two, or three ruffles on each arm. They wore long gloves coming up to the elbow, fastened by what were called glove-tightens, made of black horse hair. They wore aprons made of checked linen or cotton; and for holiday use of white cotton. . . . They wore thick leather, thin leather, and broadcloth shoes, all with heels an inch and a half high. These had peaked toes, turned up in a point at the toes. They generally had small, very small muffs; and some wore masks.
The principal amusements of the young men were wrestling, running, and jumping, or hopping three hops. Dancing was considered an important thing to know. Dances to step-tunes, such as "Old Father George," "Cape Breton," "High Pietty Martin," and the "Rolling Hornpipe" were favorites. At their parties dancing was their principal exercise; they sang songs also, and had a number of forfeit plays, such as “breaking and setting the pope’s neck” and “find the button.” At the time I speak of, a young woman did not think it a hardship or a disgrace to walk five or six miles to a meeting. There was no chaise (a two-wheeled carriage drawn by one horse) or any sort of wagon or sleigh in the town where I lived. I remember the first chaise that passed through the town. It caused the greatest possible wonder. Potatoes were a scarce article in those days. Three bushels were thought a very large crop. I was quite a large boy before I ever saw a potato as large as a hen’s egg.
Worksheet Assignment
Complete the worksheet below using your prior knowledge, the knowledge you learned from the lesson, and through your own research. When you’re finished, submit it to your teacher for a grade.
