The women who lived during the colonial times had many responsibilities that helped maintain life in the colonies. These tasks varied greatly in the northern and southern colonies, mostly due to the available natural resources and climate.

Northern Colonies:

         Because of the different seasons in New England, women had different responsibilities for each season. In winter, they made candles and brewed beer. In the spring, their role was to plant their gardens where they grew a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for cooking. In the summer the women would make many dairy products, such as cheese and butter. In autumn their duties included using apples to make cider and butter. The women also had to clean the intestines of the butchered pigs to make sausage; afterwards they would collect the fat to use for soap making. One of the most important tasks was cloth production because it was in such short supply and high demand. They would weave wool and flax into thread to make clothes and bedding. Not only were the products they made useful at home, but could also sell for a profit in the market.

Southern Colonies:

            In the south, women had many more responsibilities around the farm than the women in the north. They were expected to work alongside the men in the fields when there was not enough help. When the men were away from the farm on business or selling goods the women were expected to run the farm. Some of their responsibilities included draining swamps, feeding and watering the cattle, horses and other animals, as well as cultivating the crops.  Some of the women would help their husbands hunt in the woods for food. Most of these women were just as good as men with a gun and were expected to shoot wild cattle and other nuisances, and catch and tie wild hogs. These responsibilities were in addition to taking care of their family and slaves, especially when someone was ill. Women would wash and sew all the clothes for the entire household and also be responsible for buying all the food at market and cooking the meals for the family, including their slaves. The women with a better education would serve as private tutors for children whose families were too poor to afford private schools.  Some of the women who came to the southern colonies had to become indentured servants to pay their way. In some instances a women would marry her master or a find a man with enough resources to buy her freedom. Sadly, some of these women died before they had paid their dues. Approximately a quarter of the indentured servants died before they had received their freedom.

Comparing and Contrasting the Two Colonies:

            Because of the different cultures and climates of the Northern and Southern colonies, the women had very different lifestyles. First, most women in the Southern colonies lived on a farm or plantation. Most of the farms and plantations were spread out.  In contrast, women in the Northern colonies generally lived close together. There was a strong sense of community in their colonies because they were all so close together and relied heavily on each other. In the North they had many more supplies available for them and they did not have to do as much for themselves.  Because of the proximity, the colonist in the south had to make most of the supplies they had, or needed, by themselves.  Also, the women had to work on the farm much more with the men. They had to know how to shoot a gun, take care of the farm, and deal with wildlife. Not only did they have to know how to do many things on the farm, but also how to care for the family, clean, and cook. Women in the northern colonies did not feel as though they should have to work in the fields with the men, but only stay at home to cook, clean, and care for the kids.

          Although many of the responsibilities of the women were different in the North and the South, many of their responsibilities were the same. Some of the responsibilities they shared were to care for their families, especially when they were sick. Women also had to cook all the meals for her husband, children, as well as the slaves. They also had to make and clean the clothes for their entire household.  One of the most important responsibilities for the women in the colonies was to find a husband, keep him pleased, to have children and raise them well. This was in addition to all the other daily tasks they were given.

Conclusion:

Life in the early colonies was very difficult, especially for women. Although it was difficult, it was very rewarding as they worked hard to establish this new and great country.