University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XIV

COLONIAL LIFE

Its Golden Age. — In the eighteenth century, colonial
life had passed through the formative period, and reached
the full flower of its development.

A Pioneer

The settlers
in the Valley, it is true,
were still undergoing
the hardships of pioneer
life; but in eastern
Virginia, along the
rivers, a prosperous
people lived in luxury
and security. Before
entering upon the stirring
events of the Revolution,
it will be interesting
to take a brief
glance at Old Dominion society
in the good old days when
life was easy and men were happy.

Classes that formed Society. — Society was
composed of a number of classes. There
were the large planters and the small planters, both owning
land and slaves. The line between these classes was
not clearly marked, for they shaded into one another.
They dwelt harmoniously together, and stood shoulder to

shoulder in any time of public need. There was also, to
some extent, a separate class, made up of men who were
called overseers, because they were employed by large
land owners to overlook their servants and their property.
Many of these became themselves land owners and the
holders of slaves. Mention must also be made of still
another class, composed of the descendants of indented
servants and of convicts. They were ignorant, indolent,
and turbulent, but were few in number, and were unimportant
both socially and politically. These various
classes, with the negroes, who were rapidly increasing in
numbers, constituted the different elements of Old Virginia
society.

Life on a Large Plantation. — Each large plantation
was a little community, which produced nearly everything
needed for its own use. It furnished not only food
for all who dwelt upon it, but also the raw materials out
of which clothes, shoes, and the various articles for common
use were manufactured. All the work was done by
negroes, under the supervision of their masters, mistresses,
or overseers.[14]

Life of the Planter. — It is evident that the planter, who
had such varied interests to look after did not, as a rule,
live a life of idleness and ease, as has often been stated.
It is true that he had his amusements, horse-racing, fishing,

hunting, and chasing the fox, being his favorite
sports; but the greater part of his time, he spent in
superintending the different operations which took place

Virginia Hospitality

upon his estate, and in looking
after the welfare of all
the people who lived on it.
He dispensed a most generous
hospitality to his
friends and to strangers,
keeping open house for all
who came. This was rendered
easy by a large retinue
of servants and by the
abundant supplies of food
which the plantation furnished.
The free entertainment
of guests was so
common that, in the seventeenth
century, a law was
passed requiring even an
innkeeper, if he wished to
charge for food and shelter, to notify a guest upon his
arrival; otherwise he could not make him pay anything.

Life of a Planter's Wife. — Domestic affairs occupied to
a great extent the time of the mothers and daughters of a
household. Needlework that knew no end, the training
of servants, and looking after the general affairs of the
establishment, were the monotonous but useful occupations
of the Virginia women. Toward the end of the
eighteenth century, a visitor to Mount Vernon says that
she found Mrs. Washington in a room nicely fixed for all
kinds of work. She then continues: "On one side, sits
the chamber maid, with her knitting; on the other, a little

coloured pet, learning to sew. An old, decent woman is
there, with her table and shears, cutting out the negroes'
winter clothes, while the good old lady (Mrs. Washington)
directs them all, incessantly knitting herself. She
points out to me several pairs of nice coloured stockings
and gloves she had just finished, and presents me with

In a Virginia Home

a pair half done, which she begs I will finish and wear
for her sake."[15] Bishop Meade, in commenting on this
description says: "If the wife of General Washington,
having her own and his wealth at command, should thus
choose to live, how much more the wives and mothers
of Virginia with moderate fortunes and numerous children."

The "Great House." — The dwelling house on a large
plantation was known as the manor house, or the "great
house." It was not necessarily large, but its name originated
from the contrast it presented to the other buildings
on the place. In the seventeenth century, the typical
dwelling was a framed building of moderate size, possessing

more width than depth, and having usually a chimney
at each end. Many houses were, however, built of brick,
and some of stone. For a long time, the dwellings displayed
but little architectural beauty; but, during the
eighteenth century, when the planters had grown wealthy,
a number of elegant residences, resembling those of the
English gentry were erected. Some of these were square
or nearly so, two stories or more high, had deep cellars,
large rooms, broad halls, and rejoiced in great fireplaces.
If there was an overseer on the plantation, he dwelt in
a separate house, which was less pretentious than the
"great house" in appearance.

Furniture. — The furniture was generally imported, and
that used by the better classes was usually of mahogany,
or else made of less costly material, covered with thin strips
of mahogany called veneer. The bedsteads were so high

Colonial Furniture

that frequently steps were needed
to reach them. They had tall
posts, and were inclosed by
curtains. Underneath them,
trundle-beds, which were
used for the children of
the family, were kept
during the day. These
were hid from view by
narrow curtains. The
rich man's spoons
were of silver, those of
the poor man of iron or
pewter. Dishes and plates
were made of earthenware or
pewter. Knives were of steel,
but forks were not in general use till the eighteenth century.
A treadle wheel for spinning flax, a large wheel for
spinning wool, and a hand-loom for weaving cloth were
common household articles.

The Kitchen. — The kitchen was some distance from the
"great house," and its most striking feature was a fireplace,
sometimes twelve feet wide. The cooking utensils
were iron pots, gridirons, kettles, saucepans, frying pans,
etc. As each article of food was cooked in a separate

vessel, it possessed an individual flavor that is unknown
in cooking that comes from the stoves and ranges of the
present day.

Food. — The hardships of pioneer days were gone; and,
in no part of the world was a more bountiful supply of
food of various kinds to be found than in Virginia. There
were beef, pork, venison, mutton to a limited extent, game
of all kinds, vegetables and fruits to suit every taste. Such
viands as they were, prepared in the homes of the better
classes, could not fail to please the most fastidious.

The Negro Quarters. — The negroes dwelt together in a
settlement which presented the appearance of a village,
the houses of which were of the plainest kind, built of logs
or undressed planks. Each cabin, however, contained
furniture enough to make the occupants comfortable. As
a rule the negroes were well fed and well clothed; and it
cannot be said that they were an unhappy race. Free
from all the responsibilities of life, they brought up large
families, and enjoyed to the fullest extent such blessings
as came to them.

Relation of Master and Servant. — In the olden times,
the negroes were usually called servants, not slaves.
They were generally kindly treated, though there were
exceptional cases of cruelty to them; and it was by no
means uncommon for genuine affection to exist between
a master and his servants. Bruce, in his Economic History
of Virginia,[16] says: "There is no reason to doubt that
the planters were as a body just and humane in their treatment
of their slaves. The solicitude exhibited by John
Page of York was not uncommon; in his will he instructed

his heirs to provide for the old age of all the negroes who
descended to them from him, with as much care in point
of food, clothing, and other necessaries, as if they were
still capable of the most profitable labor."

Dress. — The wealthy planter showed a child's fondness
for ornamentation; and he had an opportunity to gratify
his taste when the frequent gatherings of friends took
place at his home, at Christmas, at weddings, and when
he attended services at the parish church. On such occasions,
with his bright-colored coat and breeches, made frequently
of plush, with his embroidered waistcoat, his long
silk stockings, silver buttons and shoe-buckles, his ruffled
shirt, and his head adorned with a flowing wig, he presented
an appearance that was truly gorgeous. But his
wife was fully his equal; for she was apt to appear in
crimson satin bodice trimmed with point lace, a petticoat
of rich, black oriental silk, costly shoes, and silk hose.

Education. — Primary education was given in the "old
field" schools, where the three R's were taught, and perhaps
something more. There were some private academies
also; but the higher education had to be sought in
England till William and Mary College was founded, and
so was denied to all except the sons of the rich in the early
days.

Roads. — For a long time the numerous creeks and
rivers, which traverse the country, furnished the only
highways for trade and also for travel. There were but
few roads till late in the eighteenth century. Travel
across the country had to be done on horseback along
bridle paths, which were frequently so indistinct that the
way would be lost. When a traveler reached a stream,
he rarely found a bridge across it, and he would have
to ford it or else swim over, in order to continue his

journey. Toward the end of the seventeenth century,
some coaches, chaises, and chariots began to be seen;
but not till the eighteenth century did even the wealthy
use them generally.

Advantages of the Plantation Life. — Though the Virginia
social system had its elements of weakness, yet it
possessed also its strong points. In it were to be found
gallantry, chivalry, and love of honor. It was adorned
by the gentler virtues of life, and it developed a broad
manliness of character in the people. When the Revolution
came, it brought many changes in habits and customs,
but disturbed in no radical way plantation life, which
preserved its distinctive features till the system went down
in the wreck that followed the Civil War.

QUESTIONS

• 1. In what century was colonial life at its best?

• 2. Of what classes was society composed?

• 3. Describe the life on a large plantation.

• 4. What is said of the life of a planter?

• 5. Give a description of Mrs. Washington's home life.

• 6. What is Bishop Meade's comment?

• 7. Describe the "Great House."

• 8. What of the architecture of this period?

• 9. What is said of the overseer's house?

• 10. Tell of the furniture.

• 11. Describe the kitchen, and the method of cooking.

• 12. Tell of the negro quarters.

• 13. How were the negroes generally treated by their masters?

• 14. What does Bruce say of this?

• 15. Describe the planter's dress, and that of his wife.

• 16. What of the roads, and how was traveling done?

• 17. What were the advantages of plantation life?

REVIEW QUESTIONS

• 1. What is said of the governors who ruled after Bacon's Rebellion?

• 2. When and where was William and Mary College founded?

• 3. Who was Alexander Spotswood, and when was he appointed
  governor?

• 4. Give an account of his crossing the Blue Ridge.

• 5. When and by whom were the cities of Richmond and Petersburg
  founded?

• 6. What caused the French and Indian War?

• 7. Why did Virginia send a protest to the French commander?

• 8. Whom did she select to carry her protest, and what is said of his
  early life?

• 9. Describe his journey, and its result.

• 10. How did the hostilities begin?

• 11. Who was General Braddock, and how was he defeated?

• 12. Tell of the close of the war, and what possessions were yielded
  by France to England?

• 13. What is said of colonial life at its golden age, and of the classes
  that formed society?

• 14. Describe the life on a large plantation, the life of the planter, and
  that of his wife.

• 15. What is said of the "Great House," and other buildings of this
  age?

• 16. Describe the furniture, kitchen, and negro quarters.

• 17. What is said of the relation of master and servant?

• 18. Describe the dress of a wealthy planter and that of his wife.

• 19. Tell of the educational advantages of this period, and how traveling
  was done.

• 20. What advantages had plantation life?

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS (1492-1763)

                                                             

1492.	Columbus discovered America.
1497.	John Cabot discovered Labrador.
1585.	Sir Walter Raleigh's first Roanoke colony.
1587.	Sir Walter Raleigh's second Roanoke Island colony.
1606.	First charter granted to Virginia.
1607.	The English made a settlement at Jamestown; the first permanent English settlement in America, May 13.
1609.	Virginia received her second charter.
1610.	The Starving Time.
1612.	Virginia received her third charter.
1612.	Culture of tobacco commenced.
1613.	Pocahontas married John Rolfe.
1617.	Death of Pocahontas.
1618.	The Great Charter issued.
1619.	First Colonial Assembly convened at Jamestown, July 30.
1619.	Slavery introduced into Virginia.
1622.	Indian massacre.
1624.	Virginia becomes a royal piovince.
1644.	Second Indian massacre.
1649-60.	Virginia under the Commonwealth.
1653.	Virginians establish a settlement on Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.
1660.	Navigation Acts put into operation.
1673.	Culpeper and Arlington grant.
1676.	Bacon's Rebellion.
1693.	William and Mary College founded.
1732.	Washington born, February 22.
1733.	Founding of Richmond and Petersburg.
1754.	The French and Indian War begun.
1754.	Battle of Great Meadows.
1755.	Braddock's defeat.
1758.	Fort Duquesne captured.
1763.	End of the French and Indian War.