Colonial America: Town Life and Political Rights

Town Observations

• The town was noisy.
• Shelly Place was a place in the town.
• Hot church bells were a detail mentioned.
• Carts and horses were present.
• Mosquitos and flies were present.
• Rotten garbage was an issue.
• Cobblestone streets were present.

Homes

• Homes were close together.
• Homes were made of wood with thatched roofs.
• The windows were small, and glass was expensive.

Lighting

• Torches were the primary lighting method.
• Betty Lamps were another source of light.
• Grease and/or candies were likely used for making candles or lamps.

Other Observations

• A bucket system was used to fight fires.
• The water source was from a river or pond.
• The water source had an effect on the entire town.

Colonial America Political Rights

• Magna Carta established that the King's power was limited; the king was not above the law.
• Lawmakers and representatives across England were present.
• The English Bill of Rights (1689) stated that imposing taxes was the right of the people.
• Elected representatives were present.
• The right to petition the king (demands/requests) was given to the people.
• The right to a trial by jury was established.

Colonial America Crime and Punishment

• Each colony had its own laws that defined crimes and how they were punished.
• The death penalty was used for murder, treason, and piracy.
• "Denying the true God" was a crime in New England.
• Jail was punishment for theft, forgery, highway robbery, and other crimes.
• Whipping or branding were punishments.
• Drunkenness, breaking the Sabbath, and spending time in the stocks (wooden frame) were other punishments.
• New England Puritans believed in stricter rules and required Sunday worship.
• Blue Laws were strict laws that were put in place to watch for Satan.
• The Salem Witch Trials in 1691 resulted in false accusations of witchcraft against 25 women. Young girls made the accusations.

Colonial American Social Classes

• Social classes were defined by wealth, occupation, and inherited titles or honors.
• Upper class: Successful, owned land, and/or businesses.
• Middle class: Owned land and were craft people, artisans, farmers.
• Lower class: Farmhands, workers without property, and wage earners.
• Indentured Servants were described as 1/2 middle class.
• Slaves were described as a separate, lower class.

Life of African Americans During Colonial Times

• Enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia in the 1700s.
• Slavery expanded rapidly in the Southern Colonies, fueled by plantations and agriculture.
• Slaves were from West Africa and were traded for goods.
• The Middle Passage, the ocean crossing to the Americas, was horrific and dangerous.
• Slaves were forced to work in fields and many other specialized roles like carpenter, blacksmith, gardener, and midwife.
• Enslaved people were at the bottom of society.
• Some people rebelled or ran away.
• The story of Cohschauphes is an example of rebellion, and he was killed/hanged at the beach.

Life in a Colonial City

• Only 5% of people lived in cities.
• Ships from England brought news and goods (paint, carpet, furniture, books).
• The market place sold farm products, such as fresh eggs, milk, and cheese.
• Taverns provided food and drinks.
• Shops included blacksmiths, shoemakers, clockmakers, silversmiths, tailors, barbers, and wig makers.