What Was Life Like In Colonial Times?

What was Life Like in Colonial Times?

When the first colonists came to America there were not many things available to them. Their life was hard, almost impossible compared to life today. The early colonists spent almost every hour of everyday working to stay alive. They survived because they were committed to making their settlement grow. (John F. Warner- pg.12-13)

The first colonists had to make almost everything using only a few simple tools. They built their own houses, their furniture, and even the utensils they ate with. Farm life was also a big part of surviving. Family farms and plantations remained the backbone of life right up until the end of the colonial era.

The everyday clothing that the settlers wore was mostly thick and coarse. Men generally wore linen shirts and knee breeches along with wool stockings that came up over the knees. A jacket that was called a “doublet” was worn over the shirt. They wore wide brimmed hats and their boots were leather with double thick soles. Colonial women wore linen blouses too; they tucked the blouses into their long wool skirts. They also had wool stockings. The women covered their skirts with long white aprons and wore a white neck cloth over a sleeveless doublet. Some women wore hats similar to the men, but most wore a wool close fitting hat somewhat like a bonnet. The children’s clothing was very similar to their parents. Those we...