Early Life as an American
Colonial America mid 1700s
The Colonial Clothing Styles
Lane Berry
In early America, people moved from western and eastern Europe to America. They brought many habits and ideas along with them, such as the way they dress, mostly characteristic from the country they had come from. Their clothes were also influenced by the climate of their old country. For example, when the Spanish came, the climate of California and Texas, the states in which they were settling, was not very different than Spain so they kept wearing Spanish styles. Also, colonists farther north, such as New England, had to accustom to the weather and wear more skins and furs than they had needed in England. The greatest change in clothing in America, compared to Europe, was in the everyday work outfit. The Americans wore clothing made of stronger and stouter material. The terms used were “heavy cloth” and strong durable stuff”. The men wore durable jackets and pants, made from deerskin and buckskin. The early years were hard for many people, having to make their own clothing and raising sheep for wool. Everyday wear clothes for men were breeches that were full at the waist, a doublet (a man’s close fitting jacket worn in Europe), a jerkin (a close-fitting hip-length, usually sleeveless, jacket), and a hip-length, loose over garment. The everyday dress of women was a short gown of durable material. It was a full skirt over a homemade petticoat (an outer skirt worn by women and girls), covered by a long apron of white linen. A longer dress made of finer material was more stylish, though, but most people didn’t have the time or money for it.
"dress." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.1
Fishes and Dishes
Maggie Mills Rose
Food was a big part for the colonist. They grew tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, and even lima beans. New cooking ideas were taught, and practiced with the colonists. Only few had experience with hunting for deer and fox and bird. Chop houses were used, where they would kill their meat and clean it. They didn’t have ovens but they used fire pits and usually made the children turn the meat on a stick. Pottery was used for holding dairy and other liquids. Chocolate was actually a drink back in the 1700s, not a candy. They ate a lot of fish that they caught in the rivers and streams.
F&W Media, Inc. "CHAPTER FIVE: Food & Drink." Everyday Life in Colonial America. 74-88. US: F&W Media, Inc., 2002. History Reference Center. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.
The People Of Colonial America
Lena
The people who settled in colonial America were the English, Dutch, French, Germans, and much more. Farmers raised livestock and grew crops. The New England colonies were a good place for ship building. The Middle colonies were great for traders and merchants. The Southern Colonies were a good place for farmers. By the mid-1700s small towns and buildings were established.1 Africans slaves made up most of the population by the 1700s. By 1770, more than 2 million people lived and worked in Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies.
Western architecture." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.
Western architecture." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.
Women In Colonial America
Alice
Women in Colonial America had to sew, cook, take care of animals, and make many necessities used in the household like soap, candles, clothing and other things. Women did traditional work usually associated with other females. Women were supplied short in the colonies so they were greatly valued in Europe. Women were allowed to have businesses and were granted legal and economic rights.
Henry J. Sage. “Women in Colonial America” academicamerica.com, 2007