From the hour when the Puritan baby opened his eyes in bleak New England, he had a Spartan struggle for life. Alice Morse Earle babybleakengland Change image and share on social
The study of tavern history often brings to light much evidence of sad domestic changes. Many a cherished and beautiful home, rich in annals of family prosperity and private hospitality, ended its days as a tavern. Alice Morse Earle annalbeautifulbring share on social
The landlord of colonial days may not have been the greatest man in town, but he was certainly the best-known, often the most popular, and ever the most picturesque and cheerful figure. Alice Morse Earle cheerfulcolonialday Change image and share on social
The pillory and stocks, the gibbet, and even the whipping-post, have seen many a noble victim, many a martyr. But I cannot think any save the most ignoble criminals ever sat in a ducking-stool. Alice Morse Earle criminalduckgibbet Change image and share on social
There is something inexpressibly sad in the thought of the children who crossed the ocean with the Pilgrims and the fathers of Jamestown, New Amsterdam, and Boston, and the infancy of those born in the first years of colonial life in this strange new world. Alice Morse Earle amsterdambearboston share on social
It is easy to gain a definite notion of the furnishing of colonial houses from a contemporary and reliable source - the inventories of the estates of the colonists. Alice Morse Earle colonialcolonistcontemporary Change image and share on social
The first and most natural way of lighting the houses of the American colonists, both in the North and South, was by the pine-knots of the fat pitch-pine, which, of course, were found everywhere in the greatest plenty in the forests. Alice Morse Earle americancolonistfat share on social
In the early New England meeting-houses the seats were long, narrow, uncomfortable benches, which were made of simple, rough, hand-riven planks placed on legs like milking-stools. Alice Morse Earle benchearlyengland Change image and share on social
It is heartrending to read the entries in many an old family Bible - the records of suffering, distress, and blasted hopes. Alice Morse Earle bibleblastdistress Change image and share on social
The first meeting-houses were often built in the valleys, in the meadow lands; for the dwelling-houses must be clustered around them, since the colonists were ordered by law to build their new homes within half a mile of the meeting-house. Alice Morse Earle buildclustercolonist share on social
