Back to Colonial Home How did the Colonist live?
               How did the Colonist live? Well, most were farmers, whose houses were very small. They were built by themselves. In the South, rich families lived in huge farms called plantations. The farm families made most of there food. They grew corn and beans, and raised hogs, cows, and chickens. Families also traded food with each other. Not all people were farmers. In the town some people owned shops. Others earned their living by shipping, fishing, or working as ministers. Some rich families bought cloths, but most made their own on spinning wheels. Children did a lot of work. The girls helped cook and make cloths, and the boys helped do the heavy farm work. Most kids did not go to school. Parents used the family bible to a little reading and writing. If smart enough, the rich boys could go to Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania. Even though they had no TV or or computer games, most children found a way to have fun. Children play games like Soccer and Basketball, and many adults liked horse racing. Families enjoyed puppet shows. Woman, black slaves, and men who did not own property could not vote. Therefore, a few rich men ran for the colonial governments.