Community Life In the 17th Century

Sunday was a day of rest in all the colonies, and the church was an important center of community life. In New England, largely settled and completely ruled by Puritans, the church was the very core of existence. Only members of the church were citizens, permitted to vote for public officials. The governing body of the church laid down the secular law as well as religious regulations and saw to enforcement of both.

The Puritan outlook was stern; any kind of luxury and almost any kind of enjoyment was considered dangerous to piety. On Sunday attendance at church was compulsory, and the sermon long and full of threats to sinners. Even in the bitterest winter weather there was no heat in the church. Later, as customs became more relaxed, some persons carried small charcoal stoves to use as foot warmers.

An unusually high proportion of New England settlers were educated people. In 1640, about one in every 250 had attended a university in England. Such a tradition, combined with the desire that everyone read the Bible and all ministers have a classical education, led to the quick establishment of schools. The first one was opened in Boston in 1635; the first college, Harvard, was founded in 1636. In the same year the first school was opened in New Netherland. In the Southern colonies, however, there was little concern for education, and no official action was taken until late in the century. The first Southern college, William and Mary, opened in 1693.

Generally, girls were taught no academic subjects beyond reading and writing but were instructed in sewing, embroidery, and moral conduct. Arithmetic was included in elementary education for boys. For vocational training, they were apprenticed to artisans.

In the New England colonies amusements were frowned on. However, any occasion that brought people together provided an opportunity for visiting and general sociability. Cornhuskings, houseraisings, and quilting parties were among the more festive occasions. Town meetings, elections, militia training days, and Thursday religious lectures and Sunday services were social events also. The main Puritan holiday was Thanksgiving, which lasted about a week.

In the Southern colonies there was no prohibition against entertainment. Dancing was one of the most popular recreations, enjoyed by adults and children, masters and servants. The wealthy planters were fond of horse racing and the gambling that accompanied it. They also bet on cockfights, shooting matches, athletic events, and card games. Christmas was a major holiday in the Southern colonies.

The Dutch enjoyed dancing also, along with skating, sleighing, and fishing. Bowls and ninepins were favorite games. There were numerous holidays in New Netherland, of which the most popular were New Year's Day and May Day.