Life in Colonial America

Adapted from A Day in the LifeEPISODE ONE:

PRISSY, DENNIS, AND TOM’S DAY

Let’s First Learn Some Important Vocabulary

• Apprentice-Someone who works for free under a skilled adult in order to learn a trade.

• Colonial America-Early America in the 1700’s.

What Was Going On In The 1700’s?

•People were moving from England to America!

•They wanted freedom from the King of England.

•They wanted to practice their own religion and lived as they pleased.

What Was Daily Life Like?

• People had to grow their own food

• Children had to work at a young age and go to school just like you. They had to learn basic academics and religion.

• Families had many children.• Slavery was common in the

early colonies.

On the Job Training

• Children learned from adults how to work

• Children took part in apprenticeships.

• An apprenticeship is when a young person from about 14 works for free with an adult who is skilled in a particular trade.

Types of ApprenticeshipsApothecary - acted as pharmacist, doctor, dentist, and general storekeeperBarber - cut hair; also was a surgeonBlacksmith-Armorer - made things from iron and repaired weaponsBreechesmaker - made breechesCabinetmaker - made and repaired furnitureCarpenter-joiner - built interiors of ships and housesChandler - made candlesCoachmaker - made coaches and wagonsCooper - made containers of wood, such as barrelsCutler - made, sold, and repaired knives and scissorsFarrier - shoed horses and acted as a veterinarianGoldsmith - made hollow ware (bowls, cups, and vases) and jewelryMantuamaker - dressmakerMilliner - made dresses and hats and sold accessoriesPrinter - published the newspaper, sold books and other printed materials, and often served as postmasterSaddler - made saddles, harnesses, and other leather itemsShoemakerSilversmithTavern Keeper - provided meals, drinks, entertainment, and lodgingWeaverWheelwright - made wheels and cartsWigmakerWhitesmith - made things of iron and steel, then polished them to make them look like silver

Free Time!• Children had free time at school.• Boys would ride horses and played marbles.• Girls rode and walked and did needle work.• Girls pretended to do grown up chores like

knitting or cleaning.• Many families also enjoyed song and dance!

Sundays• It was a day of rest

except for slaves who were expected to work 7 days a week.

• Everyone attended church.

• Families had evening dinners together.

Young Girls• Girls were trained to run a

household at a young age.• They had to know how to

cook, do laundry, take care of children, sew, knit, preserve food, garden, and use medicine.

• Young girls would also help take care of their brothers and sisters.

Young Boys• Boys were trained to run

plantations and companies.

• They had to learn how to read Latin and English.

• Received education from private tutors at home.

• Took classes in dancing and fencing.

Slaves• Slave children did not

have much freedom.• They learned skills that

their Master thought they needed to know.

• They worked on farms, in stables, or at a trade.

• Many slaves did not receive an education.

• Some did learn how to play music.

Conclusion• Colonial life was hard for many.• Many events could disrupt daily life:

injury, illness, serve weather.• Your life was very much determined

by others, customs, and chance.