Colonial Trades

IntroductionIn colonial times there

were no factories and everything had to be hand made. Each community was made up of several skilled artisans. When each colonial town had such a diverse amount of craft people skilled in one particular craft the town would grow.

Many artisans set up shops and they used the barter system to get the items they needed, which kept the colonial town running smoothly.

The 5 trades or craft people are…- Blacksmith- Cabinetmaker- Shoemaker- Cooper-Silversmith

The Blacksmith Why were they important?Metal was a very valuable

resource during the colonial times because it could be made into important tools and those who could create these instruments out of the metal became equally as important.

What did blacksmiths create out of the metal?

They created tools such as nails, plows, pots, knives, padlocks, and even horseshoes.(since they knew animals so well at times they were considered a veterinarian of the time)

The Blacksmith continued…What were the most

important tools blacksmiths used?

Forge- This is the coal fire and without it the blacksmith could not soften the iron so it would bend into the tools needed in colonial times.

Anvil- A large heavy cast-iron tabletop with a cone on one end and made of steel. The iron was hammered and shaped on the anvil.

Other instruments used were hammers and tongs.

How does the blacksmith work?

1. The blacksmith first heats up the metal in the coals.

2. He pumps the bellows to send air (containing oxygen) to the fire to make it burn hotter.

3. He begins working with the metal once it has become red hot.4.Then he can hammer the metal into any shape he wants.

The CabinetmakerWhy were they important?They made beautiful furniture

by hand, repaired musical instruments, even constructed coffins. Since this was the case they also handled funeral arrangements. They were also called joiners because they were experts at joining pieces of wood together to create a perfect fit.

What did cabinetmakers create out of wood?

They created cabinets, chairs, dressers, drawers, desks, coffins, and so much more.

The cabinetmaker continued..What are instruments a

cabinetmaker uses?Lathe- a great wooden and metal

wheel that turns a piece of wood so that the cabinetmaker could carve it into the desired shape. (legs of cabinets, chairs, etc)

Vice- This secures the wood in place to be sawed and carved at with little movement.

Other instruments were chisels, saws, mallets and finishes such as stains, vegetable dyes, oils and varnishes to protect the wood.

The Shoemaker Why were they important?They made shoes and boots , which

were tedious work and took 12 hours a day. They had to carve out shoe sizes before even beginning to make the shoes.

What instruments did they use?

Awl - used to punch holes in leather Burnisher - heated and used to rub

soles and heals to a high shine  Marking wheel - used to mark the

points on the sole through which the needle should go

Sole knife - used to shape the sole Stretching pliers - used to stretch

the leather on the upper part of the shoe

How do they make a shoe? Before making shoes, the shoemaker had

to carve a number of lasts, which were foot shaped blocks of wood whittled by hand in three different sizes. The sizes were small, medium, and large.

Then a leather upper strap was fastened to the last with glue until it was ready to be sewed to a sole.

The sole was cut and pounded into shape with a hammer.

Hole where then cut into the thick leather with an instrument called an awl. These holes allowed the laces to pass through .

After the upper sole was sewn together, the heel was attached by nails.

After every part was sewn together The shoes were polished with wax and oil for a finished look.

The CooperWhy were they

important?In the early days wooden

pails and barrels were used to store liquid and dry items. They made barrels, buckets, piggins, and pails.

What instruments did they use?

Knifes, hammers, drivers, shaves, compasses, are all instruments used by coopers.

Steps to making a barrel Making the stavesEverything the cooper makes it

constructed with staves or wooden planks carved from pine, cedar, or oak. They are shaped to be wide in the middle and narrow in length to fit together.

Getting the barrel shapeWhen the staves are ready they are

placed side by side and held upright in a circle by a metal ring. The staves are heated to make them bend. They are then pulled together tightly with a rope and crank (called a windlass). Then more hoops made of metal are hammered on to hold the barrel securely together.

Topping it offFinally round lids for each

barrel were cut from wide planks of wood for the top and bottom. Then two holes were cut in the barrel in the top for pouring and the side for seeing what the barrel contains. Plugs of wood are created and placed securely in the wholes.

The Silver smith Why were they important?Today we use paper money or credit cards but

in Colonial time money was silver coins. Things made of silver were as good as money. In fact they were money! The silversmiths in the Colonies were skilled craftsmen. They were also bankers. Silversmiths helped people turned their money into silver objects. This kept their money safe.

These objects were handed down from generation to generation. Each piece was crafted with insignias so everyone new whose piece was whose. The silver smith would take precious metals such as gold, silver, brass, and copper and melt and pound them into more useful objects that could be more easily identified if they were stolen.

What do they make?Silversmiths made silver teapots, porringers,

bowls, candlesticks, spoons, cups, mugs, inkstands, tankards, later coffeepots, teapots and strainers.

Silversmith continued…What instruments did they

use?Graver -  used to engrave

creative designs on a silver piece

Hammer - used for working silver

Ladle - used to handle melted silver

Refining furnace - used for melting coins into silver

Shears - used in cutting silver plates

Tongs - used for holding silver during reheat

Follow up Activity: Your are in the colonial times and your community is in need of more help. Choose a trade of your choose and create a help wanted poster. Be sure to summarize what characteristics the job entails to find the perfect person for the trade.

Now lets review the 5 trades with a game of

charades!