There were many different trades in the Thirteen Colonies. In New England, there were sailors and many shipwrights, as well as fishermen. There were also some adventurers who participated in the fur trade, but most young men could often find a trade in their own region. Foundries and forges also offered many job opportunities, as did breweries and distilleries.

There were also many trades for processing agricultural products: miller, tanner, butcher and baker. Cottage trades were yet another possibility: tailor, shoemaker, carpenter, furniture maker, etc. For those who could read and write, working as a printer offered a more prestigious position. In addition to printing forms, advertisements and books, printers would sometimes even publish their own newspaper.

Print shop
Barrel-making

Author: Léon Robichaud

See also – Traces of the past:

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