Colonial Williamsburg

Government

• The first English settlers in Williamsburg were faithful followers of King George II.
• Soon after arriving, the inhabitants of Williamsburg began to leave the crowns behind and act for independence.
• A new government was quickly established, focusing more on egalitarian principles instead of England's traditional hereditary power.
• http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/politics/polhdr.cfm

Education

• School/education was widely availible to those who could afford it.
• Typical educational activities included writing letters on a chalkboard, reading, and asembling jigsaw puzzles.
• Sewing was HUGE part of a girls day, be it fixing clothes, making samplers, or even making doll clothes.
• http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/geddy/geddychi.cfm

Trades/Jobs

• Williamsburg offers an EXTREMELY large and diverse set of jobs and/or trades, including Gunsmith, gardener, wigmaker, blacksmith, silversmith, food vendor, wheel maker, weaver, carpenter, cabinet maker, tailor, brick maker/layer, printer/binder, shoe maker, basket weaver, doctors, and of course, farmers.
• There was also milliners, which are people (usually women) that make/fix dreses.
• A cooper is a basket maker for storage of all kinds of things; wine, gunpowder, and tools are all great examples.
• http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/trades/tradehdr.cfm

Social Life/Recreation

• Some people did not get much "social time", so usually conversating happened while working.
• One very popular game was to make chickens fight against eachother.
• To entertain themselves, many colonists sewed, played games, (ball, jacks, etc.) and drew or wrote.
• http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/classes.cfm

Religion

• Colonial Williamsburg was made for catholic/religious freedom.
• The church was mostly funded by tax dollars.
• All of the catholic colonists were not at all tolerant of non- catholics.
• http://history.org/Almanack/life/religion/religionva.cfm

Slavery

• African Americans wore many types of clothing, from formal wear to rags.
• Each person was a member of a people, a clan, a family, and a household
• All slaves were at an extremely high death rate.
• http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/family/black.cfm