Colonial Customs

     The people of Colonial America had many customs
that were the same as ours, but they also had some that
were different.
     Did you know that at one time Christmas was banned?
It's true that one time Great Britain outlawed Christmas, but
most people still exchanged gifts.
    Their lives were not all fun and games, though. They
had to make their own candles, soap, make-up, perfume,
and iron. They also raised their own crops including corn,
wheat, vegetables, grain, tobacco, and killed their own
meat. They had enough food for their families and what
was left, they sold.
    Not all kids went to school either. The wealthy
children went to private schools. They had a few public
schools, but most kids were taught by their parents at
home. The girls not only learned how to read and write, but
they also learned to sew, cook, clean, weave, and spin. The
boys learned how to handle a gun, raise cattle, and farm.
All of the people were taught to be proper ladies and
gentlemen. At the age of 16, George Washington wrote the
Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and
Conversation. It had 105 rules, but we only listed the first
five:

1. Every action done in company ought to be with some
sign of respect, to those that are present.
2. When in company, put not your hands to anything, part
of the body not usually discovered.
3. Show Nothing to your Friend that might affright him.
4. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a
humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
5. If you cough, sneeze, yawn, or sigh, do it to your bud,
but privately and speak not in your yawning put your
handkerchief or hand to your face and turn aside.

So as you can see they had allot of customs that we
have today, but they also have some that are different.

Georgia Brianne Eakin and Kristin Marie Roth