america's history summary chap 4
William John
Chapter 4 Notes
How was New England a freehold society? In the 1630s, England’s land was mostly owned by nobles and gentry. They used lease holdings to make farmers work on their fields. However, in New England, Puritans created a yeoman society where there was equal landowning in different farm families. By 1750, the influx of so many people to New England decreased the amount of fertile land available.
How were woman treated in the household economy? Men were at the head of the household. Young girls observed their mothers submit to their fathers and women were to be silent when in public. Women would get fewer parts of land inherited. Ebenezer Chittendon felt that his daughters should inherit as much land as his sons. English law let fathers divide their land as they pleased. Women would help their husbands by caring for a garden, knitting clothes and making food. Some mothers had to take care of their babies, so they had little time for religion, but lots of women went to Puritan congregations. They were full of women because they did not want their child to die at birth and praying to God was reassuring. Ministers excluded women from a more equal status in church.
How was farm land distributed in inheritances?
In America, many people could own land. Most Europeans wanted land for farms to make a living and settle their children. The father’s responsibility was to provide the children of money, land, and property. The parents that could not afford land for their children contracted them for indentured servitude. After the children were released from servitude, they had to go up the social ladder to become a freeholder.
Sons and daughters of wealthy farmers received a portion of the property, such as land and livestock. This portion repaid them for their labor and allowed the parents to choose the partners for marriage.
Once a woman is married, she had to give all her property to her husband. If her husband
Chapter 4 Notes
How was New England a freehold society? In the 1630s, England’s land was mostly owned by nobles and gentry. They used lease holdings to make farmers work on their fields. However, in New England, Puritans created a yeoman society where there was equal landowning in different farm families. By 1750, the influx of so many people to New England decreased the amount of fertile land available.
How were woman treated in the household economy? Men were at the head of the household. Young girls observed their mothers submit to their fathers and women were to be silent when in public. Women would get fewer parts of land inherited. Ebenezer Chittendon felt that his daughters should inherit as much land as his sons. English law let fathers divide their land as they pleased. Women would help their husbands by caring for a garden, knitting clothes and making food. Some mothers had to take care of their babies, so they had little time for religion, but lots of women went to Puritan congregations. They were full of women because they did not want their child to die at birth and praying to God was reassuring. Ministers excluded women from a more equal status in church.
How was farm land distributed in inheritances?
In America, many people could own land. Most Europeans wanted land for farms to make a living and settle their children. The father’s responsibility was to provide the children of money, land, and property. The parents that could not afford land for their children contracted them for indentured servitude. After the children were released from servitude, they had to go up the social ladder to become a freeholder.
Sons and daughters of wealthy farmers received a portion of the property, such as land and livestock. This portion repaid them for their labor and allowed the parents to choose the partners for marriage.
Once a woman is married, she had to give all her property to her husband. If her husband