Domestic life in New England in the seventeenth century by George Francis Dow
"Domestic life in New England in the seventeenth century" by George Francis Dow is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work examines the everyday lives of early New England colonists, focusing on their homes, furnishings, clothing, social customs, and the practical realities and challenges they faced. Drawing from original records and estate inventories, the account aims to provide a fact-based, detailed reconstruction of domestic existence in Puritan society.
At the start of the book, Dow lays out his purpose: to fill a gap in previous scholarship by addressing daily life alongside better-documented subjects such as architecture and the arts. The opening explores the contrasting realities of poverty and comfort among settlers, describes the evolution of living arrangements from primitive wigwams and temporary shelters to sturdier timber homes, and dispels common myths—such as the prevalence of log houses. Dow draws on personal letters, estate inventories, and court records to illustrate the types of dwellings, household goods, tools, and foodstuffs common to different social classes. Detailed descriptions of specific households, like those of the Dillingham and Googe families, bring to life both the hardships and the pursuit of comfort and status among settlers. The narrative continues with extensive inventories, economic accounts, and anecdotes that further illuminate the material culture and social customs of seventeenth-century New England. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Dow, George Francis, 1868-1936 |
|---|---|
| LoC No. | 25023828 |
| Title | Domestic life in New England in the seventeenth century |
| Alternate Title | Domestic life in New England in the 17th century |
| Original Publication | Topsfield, Massachusetts: The Perkins Press, 1925. |
| Note | "A discourse delivered in the lecture hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, it being one of a series designed to mark the opening of the American wing." |
| Note | Reading ease score: 80.5 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Credits | Steve Mattern and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | F001: United States local history: New England |
| Subject | New England -- Social life and customs -- To 1775 |
| Subject | United States -- Social life and customs -- To 1775 |
| Subject | Families -- New England -- History -- 17th century |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 76065 |
| Release Date | May 11, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1162 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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