1. Colonial Ways of Life
Mr. Heath
Spring 2016

2. The Gentry Included: Wealthy Planters with large plantations
Business Owners
Lawyers
Government Officials

3. The Gentry: Women In charge of home life Ran the house
Took care of the children
Provided medical care for everyone on planation

4. The Gentry: Children Educated often by a private tutor
Both boys and girls learned to read and write.
Both boys and girls learned to play a musical instrument.
Boys learned Latin and Greek.
Girls learned to sew.

5. Gentry Education

7. Drayton Hall, Near Charleston Typical Colonial Plantation Home
Homes of Gentry Class
Large Homes
Furnished with fancy furniture imported from England
Drayton Hall, Near Charleston
Built in 1738
Typical Colonial Plantation Home

8. Colonial Plantation Homes

9. Possessions of the Gentry
Large Library of Books
Musical Instruments
Fine Clothes
Gold Jewelry

10. Families in the Middle Neither rich nor poor
Owned a home and some land
Some rented land from someone else.
Many were craftsmen such as carpenters and cobblers.
May have had one or two slaves or servants

11. Colonial Middle Class Homes
Most homes simple
One or two rooms
Fireplace for cooking and keeping the house warm
Usually dirt floors
Made much of their own furniture and clothes

12. Colonial Middle Class Roles
“A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.”
Men
Women
Worked in fields or at their craft.
Made and washed clothes
Prepared the meals
Took care of garden
Made candles
Children
Both boys and girls helped with the family’s work.