Daily Life of the Puritans By Jackson Pierce

Daily Life of the Puritans By: Jackson Pierce Haley Agnew Alix Stewart Laura Cook Tay

Describe the clothing worn by men and women in Salem. What types of fabrics were used?

How did their clothing support their religious views? The Puritans were people who sought to “Purify” the Catholic Church. With this belief, they also believed that all people were sinners. The Puritans saw Jesus as a frivolous being and believed that they will never be able to be like him. This is why they refuse to dance, sing, or play on Sunday. They are trying to make themselves as humble as possible in the face of God and Jesus. That is why the Puritans wear such dark and dull clothing; it is only to show that they are all sinners and are lesser beings of God and Jesus.

Describe the types of homes that probably existed in Salem. Explain what a palisade is and why it was necessary. A typical Puritan home: • Wooden • 1 ½ stories high • Shingled with Reed. • Very small • Dark, wooden rooms • Big stone chimney in the center • Wooden or earth floors • Different parts of the house had different purposes. Palisades were wooden fences. The heights differed depending on the one who cut them up. These could be used as defense for Native American attacks, and are also good for short conflicts.

Describe the family life of Puritans. Most of the families lived on farms. The families were fairly large, having around six to eight kids for each family. Roles: • Women -Lost maiden name at marriage. -Lost legal rights (Couldn’t own land, file legal suits, or participate in political life). -Social role was to care for children and help husbands. -Got married at early twenties. • Men -Usually worked on family’s farm. -Parents choose spouse (Gave them land or livestock at marriage). • Children -Spent most of their time learning and reading the bible.

Describe a Puritan meal. • Dined on Rays, Herons, Gulls, Oysters, Raccoons, and seven other native Virginia animals like beef, pork, and fish they brought from England. • Domestic animals were meant for breeding, but were eaten during the cold starving winter. • Turned milk into butter and cheese. • Some “root” crops that were gathered were carrots and potatoes. • Fish were gutted, dried, and salted. • Fruits were picked and preserved. • Marigolds, which are yellow flowers, were used to color the butter, flavor food, and strengthen the heart. • It was common to begin each day with a stiff drink. Hard Cider was the favorite drink, with Rum coming in a close second.

(“I’m watching you”) The End (Put some real pants on)