4.11 Leisure & 4.12 Food By: Amanda Pekarek, Gabbie Migas, Connor Mace, and Matt Rubenzer

Review of notes, pictures, and a better look into what they cooked and ate in 1723.

The first colonists to live in North America got their food from the Indians. The Indians taught them how to grow and cook their food, specifically corn, which became one of the most important food source.

Meat was a favorite food in the colonies. Some meat they hunted were wild deer, rabbits, and birds. They farmed pigs, cattle, and chicken. A problem with the meat was keeping it fresh and refrigerated.

Apples were a major part in the fruit group, because they grew well and could be used all year round. The children picked wild huckleberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, and strawberries. In the Southern Colonies they also had southern peaches.

If possible the colonists combined work and play by organizing “bees” and “frolics”. a “chopping bee” is when all the neighbors help clear trees of their land. Other frolics are: corn-husking bees for men and quilting bees for women.

Colonial children had a few simple toys, such as dolls, marbles, and tops. They played games of: tag, blindman’s bluff, and stool ball, which is related to cricket (a game like baseball). They also enjoyed “coasting” downhill on sleds but it must have been dangerous because it was forbade in several communities.

Almost every village had a bowling green, a grassy field where they rolled egg shaped balls at a white ball called a “jack”. They also played tick-tack and a form of billiards called trock. In the south hunting various animals was popular. playing cards, horse racing, and cockfighting were popular. Fairs were held throughout the colonies were they had wrestling, and dance contests.

1) What was the most major fruit? 2) What did the Indians teach the Colonists to do? 3) What was the specific food they helped the Colonists with? 4) What were 2 animals they raised on farms? 5) What was a favorite food in the colonies? 6) What is a chopping bee? 7) Name two games they played. 8) What did they enjoy doing that was dangerous? 9) What did almost each village have? 10) What kind of contests did they have at fairs?

1) The major fruit was apples. 2) The Indians taught the Colonists to grow and cook their food. 3) The specific food was corn. 4) The animals were pigs, cattle, and chickens. 5) A favorite food was meat. 6) A chopping bee is when all the neighbors help clear trees off their land. 7) The games they played were tag, blind mans bluff, and stool ball. 8) They enjoyed “coasting” downhill in sleds. 9) Almost each village had a bowling green. 10) They had wrestling and dance contests.