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American Colonial Funeral Behavior

American Colonial Funeral Behavior. Virginia Colony. founded in 1607 in Jamestown based on commercial interests incorporated the Church of England into their government burial was usually in the churchyard. Massachusetts Bay Colony. founded in 1630 by the Puritans

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American Colonial Funeral Behavior

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  1. American Colonial Funeral Behavior

  2. Virginia Colony • founded in 1607 in Jamestown • based on commercial interests • incorporated the Church of England into their government • burial was usually in the churchyard

  3. Massachusetts Bay Colony • founded in 1630 by the Puritans • rejected the Church of England • Puritan clergy did not take part in the funeral ceremony • dead were buried without any ceremony • 1700: funeral sermons

  4. Protestantism and Calvinism “good works” • Industrious • “idleness” was a sin • New Englanders: “state of one’s soul” • 18th Century: industry and trade • Secularism: pursuit of worldly goods

  5. Burial Practices • Death: natural, inevitable, commonplace • Epitaphs: “The manner of expression may be ribald and ridiculous, pompous and lugubrious, eloquent, or serenely simple” (Stories on Stone: A Book on American Epitaphs – Wallis, 1954) • epidemics

  6. Readings Question #1 • Describe the earliest New England funeral and interment practices. • public executions

  7. Readings Question #2 • Describe the “social character” of mourning during the late 17th century and throughout the 18th century. • In 1721, 1724, and 1742 the General court of Massachusetts passed laws prohibiting “extraordinary expense at funerals”

  8. Readings Question #3 • Describe a typical New England town funeral and interment during the middle of the 18th century.

  9. Social Change in Late Colonial America • 18th century: 2 revolutions • political and economic • urbanization: breakdown in Puritan controls • “class” barriers • elaborate funerals for the wealthy • imported goods became scarce

  10. Boston 1788 • restricted the display of mourning • fine of 20 shillings for every offense • men: black crepe band • women: black hat/bonnet; gloves; ribbons • 1790 Salem: sexton – “toll” 8 quid undertaker – chairs, warning, waiting etc. 8 quid

  11. Readings Question #4 • What were the 3 general functions of colonial funerals?

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