as such cases were called, of our colonial ancestors.  As material wealth increased, however, dress became more and more elaborate until in the era shortly before and after the Revolution fashions were almost extravagant.  Costly satins, silks, velvets, and brocades were among the common items of dress purchased by even the moderately well-to-do city and planter folk.  If space permitted, many quotations by travellers from abroad, accustomed to the splendor of European courts, could be presented to show the surprising quality and good taste displayed in the garments of the better classes of the New World.  To their honor, however, it may be remembered that these same American women in the days of tribulation when their husbands were battling for a new nation were willing to cast aside such indications of wealth and pride, and don the humble homespun garments made by their own hands.

FOOTNOTES: 

[128] Fiske:  Old Virginia, Vol.  I, p. 246.

[129] Page 76.

[130] Smyth:  Writings of B. Franklin, Vol.  IV, p. 449.

[131] Ibid. Vol.  III, p. 431.

[132] Ibid. Vol.  III, p. 419.

[133] Ibid. Vol.  III, p. 438.

[134] Letters of A. Adams, p. 282.

[135] Letters of A. Adams, p. 250.

[136] Wharton:  Martha Washington, p. 227.

[137] Buckingham:  Reminiscences, Vol.  I, p. 34.

[138] Buckingham.  Vol.  I, p. 88.

[139] Buckingham, Vol.  I, p. 115.

[140] Ibid.

[141] Vol.  II, p. 115.

[142] Wharton:  Martha Washington, p. 59.

[143] Quoted in Earle:  Home Life in Colonial Days, p. 290.

[144] Earle:  Home Life in Colonial Days, p. 291.

[145] Wharton:  Through Colonial Doorways, p. 89.

[146] Wharton:  M.  Washington, p. 225.

[147] Earle:  Home Life in Colonial Days, p. 294.

[148] Goodwin:  Dolly Madison, p. 54.

[149] Wharton:  Through Colonial Doorways, p. 219.

[150] Wharton:  Through Colonial Doorways, p. 79.

[151] Wharton:  Martha Washington, p. 230.

[152] Crawford:  Romantic Days in the Early Republic, p. 53.

CHAPTER V

COLONIAL WOMAN AND SOCIAL LIFE

I.  Southern Isolation and Hospitality

In the earlier part of the seventeenth century the social life of the colonists, at least in New England, was what would now be considered monotonous and dull.  Aside from marriages, funerals, and church-going there was little to attract the Puritans from their steady routine of farming and trading.  In New York the Dutch were apparently contented with their daily eating, drinking, smoking, and walking along the Battery or out the country road, the Bowery.  In Virginia life, as far as social activities were concerned, was at first dull enough, although even in the early days of Jamestown there was some display at the Governor’s mansion, while the sessions of court and assemblies brought planters and their families to town for some brief period of balls, banquets, and dancing.