Colonial Interests from a Colonial Witness - Logs 1 and 2
So this is just something I had to do for school. I thought I'd update it, as a gap break for 'My Guardian Angels'. But I will have the new chap out as soon as possible! I promise.
Journal. Log One. March 13, 1738
I'm writing this for a real story from a Colonial Witness. Not these tabloids that have been sent out, all over England. My family has sent me out here, arriving right after my eighteenth birthday. I just arrived, with such a small amount of land, just enough to build a small farm on.
But my amount of space and such is not very much of my concern of now. I have arrived and must log. I have several trees cut down, something they call a, "Chopping Bee," which apparently has leisure written all over it, never mind that it is work. And it brought me to the question, "What do they do for leisure in a place where life is all work?"
I then came upon a farmer, who had brought the Chopping Bee together for a lone woman. I appreciated it, I told him. Apparently he wishes me to be his sons. But that is unimportant at this time, for I care about learning of leisure, for my book full of truth. This farmer-James-explains to me that there is little leisure here, but they make much of it.
Here, they have Chopping Bees where neighbors come together, and help another neighbor chop down their tree's, concerning all the way through. There are Quilting Bees for women, and frolics include corn husking for men. I think I will like the leisure placed in this New World.
They hold fair's throughout the New World, something I am excited to attend. And everyone can enjoy leisure, except for slaves. Children, the life I have just left behind, have simple toys, such as dolls, marbles, and tops. One little boy, Tommy, taught me how to make a top today. It was hard, but I got the hand of it. And I played Stoll Ball, which is like cricket, with a young group of girls, and was scolded by a parent. Apparently, this game is for children mainly.
So, I am tired after a long first day in the colonies. I am trying to find some sort of work, for my money will run low soon, and all I have are two pigs, one cow, and two chickens. This will only get me through the month-hopefully.
*********************************************************
Journal. Log Two. April 23, 1738
A month here, and I guess my small farm did get me through it. I had a pregnant pig, what luck! And sold off the piglets for a large sum compared to what I thought I would get. The weather is becoming slightly warm, but still quite cold. Fire wood will be depleting soon, and without a man in the house to fetch it, I'm not sure what I will do.
The farmer, James Coldcreek, had introduced me to his son. His name was John, and he owned the farm next to mine. If we were to wed, our land would combine, and become rather large compared to what we were both used to. He was a hard worker, and someone I would like to get to know better. And I have been.
But this made me quite curious of what life here in a family would be like. I met up with a few women, who had given me seeds for wheat and tomatoes, wives and mothers as well. They seemed happy enough, and were becoming quick friends of mine. I believe they are the best ones to go to for anything, even at this moment.
I questioned them about life. They said, life here focused on the family. This family had grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-children, parents, siblings, stuffed in the small house. They were about as large as a family here in the colonies could get. They continued by saying in the house, women and children did the work, the outside was mainly the men, and male relatives living in the household.
Also, that men and women married in their early to mid-twenties, getting that stage of their life started early. Something sad I learned was indentured servants were not allowed to marry until free. And I thought about starting myself in this position, since I was only helpful in the household.
I must rest now, it's being a long day, that I have done both the woman and the man's work. Until next time....
I'm writing this for a real story from a Colonial Witness. Not these tabloids that have been sent out, all over England. My family has sent me out here, arriving right after my eighteenth birthday. I just arrived, with such a small amount of land, just enough to build a small farm on.
But my amount of space and such is not very much of my concern of now. I have arrived and must log. I have several trees cut down, something they call a, "Chopping Bee," which apparently has leisure written all over it, never mind that it is work. And it brought me to the question, "What do they do for leisure in a place where life is all work?"
I then came upon a farmer, who had brought the Chopping Bee together for a lone woman. I appreciated it, I told him. Apparently he wishes me to be his sons. But that is unimportant at this time, for I care about learning of leisure, for my book full of truth. This farmer-James-explains to me that there is little leisure here, but they make much of it.
Here, they have Chopping Bees where neighbors come together, and help another neighbor chop down their tree's, concerning all the way through. There are Quilting Bees for women, and frolics include corn husking for men. I think I will like the leisure placed in this New World.
They hold fair's throughout the New World, something I am excited to attend. And everyone can enjoy leisure, except for slaves. Children, the life I have just left behind, have simple toys, such as dolls, marbles, and tops. One little boy, Tommy, taught me how to make a top today. It was hard, but I got the hand of it. And I played Stoll Ball, which is like cricket, with a young group of girls, and was scolded by a parent. Apparently, this game is for children mainly.
So, I am tired after a long first day in the colonies. I am trying to find some sort of work, for my money will run low soon, and all I have are two pigs, one cow, and two chickens. This will only get me through the month-hopefully.
*********************************************************
Journal. Log Two. April 23, 1738
A month here, and I guess my small farm did get me through it. I had a pregnant pig, what luck! And sold off the piglets for a large sum compared to what I thought I would get. The weather is becoming slightly warm, but still quite cold. Fire wood will be depleting soon, and without a man in the house to fetch it, I'm not sure what I will do.
The farmer, James Coldcreek, had introduced me to his son. His name was John, and he owned the farm next to mine. If we were to wed, our land would combine, and become rather large compared to what we were both used to. He was a hard worker, and someone I would like to get to know better. And I have been.
But this made me quite curious of what life here in a family would be like. I met up with a few women, who had given me seeds for wheat and tomatoes, wives and mothers as well. They seemed happy enough, and were becoming quick friends of mine. I believe they are the best ones to go to for anything, even at this moment.
I questioned them about life. They said, life here focused on the family. This family had grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-children, parents, siblings, stuffed in the small house. They were about as large as a family here in the colonies could get. They continued by saying in the house, women and children did the work, the outside was mainly the men, and male relatives living in the household.
Also, that men and women married in their early to mid-twenties, getting that stage of their life started early. Something sad I learned was indentured servants were not allowed to marry until free. And I thought about starting myself in this position, since I was only helpful in the household.
I must rest now, it's being a long day, that I have done both the woman and the man's work. Until next time....
Post Comment
