Title: Family life in 17th- and 18th-century America /
Authors: Volo, James M., 1947-; Volo, Dorothy Denneen, 1949-
Publisher: Greenwood Press,
Year: 2006
Subjects: Families United States History; Families United States History; North America History; North America History
Abstract: "Colonial America comes alive in this depiction of the daily lives of families - mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents. The Volos examine the role of the family in society and typical family life in 17th- and 18th-century America. Through narrative chapters, aspects of family life are discussed in depth, such as maintaining the household, work, entertainment, death and dying, ceremonies and holidays, customs and rites of passage, parenting, education, and widowhood. Readers will gain an in-depth understanding of the world in which these families lived and how that world affected their lives. Also included are sources for further information and a timeline of historic events."--Jacket.
Contents: The role of family -- Folkways -- Family structure -- The role of father -- Patriarch -- Wise and seasonable counsels -- Educator -- Provider -- Protector -- Estate builder -- The role of mother -- Women as wives -- Women as mothers -- Women as housewives -- The role of children -- Children as family -- Children as learners -- Children as workers -- The role of servants and slaves -- Servants -- Race-based slavery.