Every Day Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

by George Francis Dow

The New York Times called this book a "valuable addition to the too-small list of books that give reliable accounts of the daily lives of the early Colonists … beautifully made and interestingly illustrated." With the republication of Every Day Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the incidents, anecdotes, and events surrounding the first inhabitants of colonial New England are brought vividly to life.
Drawing extensively on contemporary records, author and antiquarian George Dow provides graphically accurate descriptions of early shelters and dwellings, interior furnishings, colonial wardrobes, sports and games, shipping, trade, medicinal aids, medicinal practice, crimes, punishment, and much more. The text dispenses a wealth of intimate details on manners and customs — including intriguing tidbits of information on peculiar mealtime apparel, eating habits, and personal cleanliness. Detailed appendixes contain shop inventories, records of the contents of private homes, copies of building agreements, and other matters.
Supplementing the text are more than 100 historically valuable photographs and illustrations, including rare pictures of early kitchens and parlors, furniture, clapboard houses, farmyard scenes, a variety of workers at their crafts, gravestones, and an execution by hanging.
Here is a book that will delight students and teachers of history, researchers, and anyone fascinated by the day-to-day activities of this country's earliest settlers.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Local History

416 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1972

About the author

George Francis Dow (January 7, 1868 – June 5, 1936) was an American antiquarian for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, active in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly fascinating. This was research for a novel I'm writing, and I loved the trip back to 17th century Boston. Among my favorite chapters? The one on medicine and apothecaries and "chemists." As they say: what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent research - I'm using it for a book I'm writing.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just great.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best non-fiction compositions of day-to-day life of common people that I've ever read. A quick, informative read. I really enjoyed it.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for genealogical research.

[Hayley Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. The information was presented clearly and with plenty of primary sources. Invaluable if you want to learn about life in Puritan America.

[Erin Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

great fun