Chapter 9: Life in Colonial Williamsburg - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Chapter 9: Life in Colonial Williamsburg

2. VocabularyWilliamsburg – the capital town of the British colony of Virginia, where the colony’s government metgovernment –the people and groups who are in charge of a country or area (such as a town, colony, or a state).culture – refers to people’s beliefs and ways of lifecapital – the town or city where government leaders do their work (place)capitol – the main government building, where lawmakers meet (building)

3. 9.2 Colonial WilliamsburgWilliamsburg was the capital of the colony of Virginia from 1699 to 1780 (named in honor of King Williams III of England)It was the center of government, education, and culture in colonial VirginiaThe town was built around the four main buildings: the capitol, a college, the Governor’s Palace, and a churchBy 1770, about 2,000 people lived hereLike most Virginians, they married in their 20s and stayed married for life, because divorce was against the lawAbout half were African Americans and most were slavesMany people came to visit Williamsburg to shop, attend church, and visit government offices

4. Life in Colonial WilliamsburgVideo: Kids in the 18th Century

5. 9.3 Education College of William & Mary Boys Dame School Girls

6. 9.3 EducationCollege of William & MaryA school for boys that included a grammar school where boys ages 12-15 learned reading, writing, and arithmetic (math)Older boys could study to become priestsAbout 100 boys attended in the 1700sWealthy boys living in the countryside usually studied with a local minister or priest

7. 9.3 EducationDame SchoolsMost girls didn’t go to school and learned cooking, sewing, and other skills from their mothers and sistersSome girls attended “dame schools,” that were run by women in their homes, and learned prayers, the alphabet, knitting, and sewing

8. 9.3 EducationOther EducationFew African American children received a formal education, but some were taught to read and write by parents that had learned these skillsThere were two very small schools for nonwhite children, but very few attended these schoolsOne was for African American boysOne was for Native American boys

9. 9.4 Trades

10. 9.4 TradesThe streets of Williamsburg were lined with trade shops, where craftsmen worked at their trades (skilled jobs)Blacksmiths made object out of iron , like horseshoes and plowsCoopers made barrels and other containersMillers ground grains into flourGunsmiths made musketsThere were also carpenters, cabinetmakers, candle makers, and othersSome enslaved African Americans (very few) were trained in a craft and allowed earn extra money to try and buy their freedom

11. 9.4 TradesThree types of craftsmen worked in trade shops:Master craftsmen owned their shops, were very experienced, and did most of the difficult workJourneymen were skilled workers who did not own their own shopsApprentices were learning their craft and did the simpler jobsThey were not paid, but were given food, a place to stay, and a chance to learn the craft.They worked for 7 years or until the age of 21, before becoming journeymen

12. 9.5 Social Life

13. 9.5 Social LifeTaverns were a favorite gathering place for menServed food and drink: peanut soup, shepard’s pie, ale, or wineBedrooms for travelers to rentHosted balls and dancesPlayed dice and board games: The Royall & Most Pleasant Game of the GooseWealthy planters and lawyers usually met at different taverns than those visited by craftsmen

14. 9.6 GovernmentGovernor’s PalaceThe Capitol

15. 9.6 GovernmentLawmakers worked in the capitol building in a group called the AssemblyMembers of the assembly created and voted on billsIf they voted in favor of a bill, it was sent to the royal governorVirginians could be chosen for the Assembly in two ways:Some were electedOthers were appointed (chosen) by the governorMost people in Virginia were not allowed to vote or serve in the Assembly because the assembly only included white men who owned property that belonged to the Anglican Church

16. 9.6 GovernmentThe royal governor was appointed by the British king and was the king’s representative in the colonyHe lived in a large house called the Governor’s PalaceThe governor did his official work inside the palaceReading the bills that the Assembly sent him and deciding whether it would become lawIf he didn’t like it, he would refuse to sign itThe palace hosted official celebrations

17. 9.7 Slavery

18. 9.7 SlaveryAbout half the people in Williamsburg were slaves. Some worked in town, but most worked on farms and plantations outside of townThere were different types of slaves:House slaves: servantsTown slaves: gardeners, coachmen, tradesmen (few)Farm/Plantation slaves: in the fieldsHouse and town slaves worked seven days a weekFarm/Plantation slaves worked six days a week, from sunrise to after sunset

19. 9.7 SlaverySlaves lived in houses and cabins called slave quartersUsed piles of straw for beddingTools like rakes, hoes, and shovels against the wallWorked long, hard days doing whatever they were told and were frequently beaten or whippedSurvived terrible conditions by relying on each other and trying to create strong family tiesHad their own Christian preachers who spoke of freedom and justice. Music was an important part of religious servicesSongs expressed anger, pain, and their hopes for freedom

20. 9.8 Religion

21. 9.8 ReligionIn Virginia, the Church of England (Anglican Church) was the official churchThe Bruton Parish Church (Anglican Church) was built in the center of townThe British king was the head of the Church of England and the royal governor was the head of Virginia’s Anglican ChurchReligion and government were NOT separate The law required all white colonists to attend church and to pay taxes to support the church

22. 9.8 ReligionPeople often arrived to church early to meet, talk, gossip, and discuss the latest newsThey also posted important announcementsInside the church, they sat in different places, depending on their position in the communityImportant people sat close to the pulpit and less important people sat further awayMost African Americans stood in the back or looked through the windowsWhen the services ended, the most important people left the church first, with women and poorer men waiting for the wealthy plantation owners to leave first

23. Explore FurtherKids Zone Historic Sites & Buildings