St. Augustine, Roanoke, Plymouth, and Jamestown all set the pace for the colony known as Williamsburg. The settlers came to America to create a new life for themselves. These people were not opposed to using a little elbow grease, to ensure their new found freedom. Williamsburg is a great example of a society based on culture and architecture.

Impressions from the colonial period can be found everywhere. People in Williamsburg made simple, but sturdy houses. For each house there was a half acre plot reserved. All freestanding houses were built with a garden and an orchard space. The outhouses were built in the rear of the house and resembled the main house. Houses with shingled roofs that were a story and a half in height were common in Williamsburg. The houses had brick chimneys and windows placed on both sides of the door (Kocher 13-14). The materials were just as simple as the designs. For the house wood framing faced with weather boarding was a common method. Brick and wood were also popular with the houses. Wood was the preferred material for the houses because brick created a dreary atmosphere (Kocher 15). The walls were made of plaster and the majority of the furnishings inside

Religion also played a role in family life and society. The English colonists supported the Anglican Church (Church of England). They kept the church in condition by supporting it with their taxes. They had a reputation for their shallow faith towards other. The colonists did not make a grave effort to include blacks in their congregation. Most just attended services for the social aspect (Colonial 1,3).

Tunis, Edwin. Colonial Living. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company. 1957.

On a note of unity and structure, the culture of Williamsburg exemplified these terms best. Everything has to have it's beginning, and in this time period it was the family. The common household during this time was composed of servants, parents, and children (Colonial 1). Civility was a must in society and the rules of this were taught in the household. At sixteen years old George Washington composed The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation. These rules were followed religiously. Rules such as not coughing out loud, crossing ones feet, or speaking at inappropriate times were addressed (Colonial 1).Many of the edicate practices of the colonists are still used in today's society.

of the house were imported from England (Kocher 25). Henry David Thoreau put it best when he said, "How much mor

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