Title: Social Classes In Colonial America
Headings: Social Classes In Colonial America
Social Classes In Colonial America
Content: They also farmed small landholdings, ran small stores and businesses, or worked at ordinary skilled crafts, such as shoemaking or woodworking. Women of the middle class made their own clothes, candles, cheese, soap and other goods. Excess supplies were sold to augment the family income. Men of the middle class could vote and a few held public office. All yearned to own property so that they could gain the right to vote. The lower class was composed of day laborers, apprentices, sailors, servants and slaves. Very few in this class had the potential to own any property nor could they read, write or vote. They lived the life of wanderers, moving from one place to another in search of work. Those who had come as indentured servants had to work from five to seven years without pay in return for their passage to America. When they became freemen, they frequently received land and could take part in government.