how did colonists make a living in massachusetts

What did the Massachusetts Colony do for a living? The self-governing, self-reliant colony was first governed by John Winthrop

and organized under principles laid out by John Cotton. The colonists made their living through farming, fishing, and trade.

Full Answer

How do people make a living in the Massachusetts colony?

The Massachusetts Bay Colony primarily made money through shipbuilding, fishing, fur, and lumber production.

How did colonists make money in Massachusetts?

Facts about the Massachusetts Colony The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded in 1630 by John Winthrop and other colonists. Major Industries: Agriculture (fishing, corn, livestock), Manufacturing (lumbering, shipbuilding). In towns along the coast, the colonists made their living fishing, whaling, and shipbuilding.

How did colony make money?

COMMODITY MONEY OR "COUNTRY PAY" In the Southern colonies, it was tobacco and rice; and throughout most of the colonies, animal skins, corn, powder and gun shot, and livestock were often used.

What was colonists daily life like in Massachusetts?

Farm families tended to live in small, one room, musky homes with little privacy where often the entire family slept in the same room. The men worked the fields and the women chopped firewood, tended the fires, gathered eggs, milked cows, and prepared meals over the open fires of the hearths.

How was the Massachusetts colony economy?

The early colonial economy of Massachusetts was primarily based on agriculture. The constant flow of English immigrants enabled the first Massachusetts farmers to profit for approximately one decade by growing corn and raising cattle.

How did the New England Colonies make a living?

Its location near the Atlantic Ocean along a jagged coastline determined how people made a living. People in New England made money through fishing, whaling, shipbuilding, trading in its port cities and providing naval supplies.

What did the Massachusetts colony trade?

Trade in the Colonies - Massachusetts Trade in the Massachusetts Colony used the natural resources and raw materials available to develop trade in fish, timber, furs, wool, leather, whale products, ships and livestock.

How did the Puritans make money?

The puritans made livings by being farmers and ministers. Others were merchants and sold goods The merchants (as one could assume) were the wealthier of the puritan people. Many of the women in puritan society helped to make a living in society by creating clothing and food to sell to other villagers.

What were the main sources of income for the colonists in the middle colonies?

They grew vegetables, fruits, and other crops in the fertile soil. Farmers grew many different grains, such as wheat, corn, and barley. In fact, they grew so much grain used to make bread that the Middle Colonies became known as the “breadbasket" of the thirteen colonies. ports and were centers of shipping and trade.

What jobs and responsibilities did colonists have?

Here are some of the typical trades of Colonial America.Apothecary. The apothecaries of colonial times were similar to today's pharmacists. ... Blacksmith. The blacksmith was one of the most important tradesmen of any colonial settlement. ... Cabinetmaker. ... Chandler (candlemaker) ... Cobbler (shoemaker) ... Cooper. ... Gunsmith. ... Milliner.More items...

What kind of houses did colonists live in?

The houses built by the first English settlers in America were small single room homes. Many of these homes were "wattle and daub" homes. They had wooden frames which were filled in with sticks. The holes were then filled in with a sticky "daub" made from clay, mud, and grass.

What crops did the Massachusetts colony grow?

Natural resources in the Massachusetts Colony included forests (timber), furs, fish, whales, and some farming. Although it was difficult to farm because of the rocky terrain, colonists still farmed for beans, corn, squash, pumpkins, wheat, and rye.