The Four Trades Of The 18th Century

Trades
Back in the 18th century trades were a very common way of life. Trades were mostly shops run by a wide verity of people that could make all sorts things like clothing, and wigs too bricks, and houses. There are many more trades I could list but that would extend my 900 words for this essay. In this essay I’m going to give some information about four different trades that really grasped my attention. These four different trades that are wide spread from fashion trades to trades that would be used in constructing houses and buildings. Some run by women and others run by men, or both. There are many more trades I could list but that would extend my 900 words for this essay. Miller shops were almost always owed and run by women, which in
Wigmakers made wigs, and hair pieces for men and women. When wearing a wig people knew you had money, they were worn mostly by wealthy men like tradesman, and military. Edward Charlton practiced this particular trade for more than half of a century. He was one of the 18th centuries most popular wigmakers in Virginia. Many people like Thomas Jefferson went to his shop. Other that wig making these wigmakers shops offered other thing besides hair. They were pretty much the “groomers”, of the 18th century. They sold everything needed for any person who had to have things like soap, perfumes, and lice cures. They also offered bathing
Bricks were made by mostly unskilled men, women, and even children. Almost always made up of free unskilled labors, slaves, and servants. These particular shops were normally on a big piece of property, and ran by masters or in other words slave owners. Most rich land owners like Thomas Jefferson made their slaves make brick to build their plantations. It is said that Thomas Jefferson was so impressed by his slave’s brick making skills that he gifted them 25 pounds each, which was a lot of money in the 18th century. Bricks were made of mostly clay and water, and stirred by walking around in the mixture until it was nice and smooth. After the mixing process all of the sticks, leaves, and any other debris is taken out by hand. Then they were placed in a mold and put in a fire, were the brick would bake for up to seven days. After the baking process it has to cool for a week, then you would have your