Summary

• Puritans fled England to establish New England as a new colony, distancing themselves from the Church of England and practicing a strict religious lifestyle.
• Life in colonial New England was strict, with strict punishments for those who went against the church or their faith, inspiring novels like "The Scarlet Letter" and serving as the basis for movies like "The Crucible" and "The VVitch."
• New England has evolved over the centuries, shifting from Puritanism to a region known for its prestigious universities, liberal policies, and a higher quality of life while still maintaining historical traditions.

Life in the early colonies was an interesting one for the earliest American settlers. Being a Puritan meant following a strict lifestyle and one that was not necessarily approved by the Church of England, which is part of the reason for the early settlement in what would become known as colonial New England. This separation of religions is what sparked Puritan life and stood as the foundation for everything they did; it wasn't just going to church regularly; it was living one's life according to God's will.

While many know that this time period is also what started the Salem Witch Trials, many don't realize the village life that occurred prior to and after them. While it's true that this was a big cause for paranoia, it was also the inspiration for novels such as The Scarlet Letter, as Puritan life had strict punishment for those who went against the church or their faith. Life was vastly different for men, women, children, and teens, and each person had a role in society as well as a role to serve in the household. Movies and plays such as The Crucible and The VVitch also drew inspiration from early Puritan life, and this is what history tells us a day in the life of a Puritan was like.

UPDATE: 2023/10/24 13:28 EST BY NOAH STAATS

From Puritan To Progressive: How New England Shifted

This article has been refreshed with a new perspective on New England, as well as the roots of Puritan culture throughout the original 13 colonies. It's been many years since the English came to America hoping for a better life, with the area now hosting some of North America's finest schools, scenery, and history.

A New Beginning, Or So It Was Thought

• New England was established by people wanting to take on a more religious approach to their government.
• Puritans were who traveled from England to New England, essentially distancing themselves from Europe.

New England was established out of a need for those separated from the English Protestant Church. In 1530, the English decided a separate from the Roman Catholic Church was necessary, and reform in belief soon followed. Roughly 30 years later, those who still believed in the 'purification' of the Church - the Puritans - eventually decided to distance themselves, quite literally, from England. Thus, New England was deemed the location of the new colony, and in 1630, the Puritans began a new life there.

The new way of life for the Puritans started with both God and the church at the center of their life and in every aspect of their work, school, and family lives. Thus, it was only natural that the minister became the most influential person in the town as well, as he spoke for the church.

Family Life

• Those living in the colonies would have longer lives than those in England.
• A healthier lifestyle is what gave newly 'American' citizens a longer lifespan.

It soon became known that those living in the colonies would have longer lives than those who lived in England, and many even lived to watch their future generations grow up. This was nearly unheard of until that time and can be attributed to a healthier lifestyle all around (harsh winters aside) as well as better air quality and other improvements that did not come with living in England. Additionally, pregnancy rates were up, and it was soon not uncommon for families to grow to large sizes, especially in Maryland and Virginia. This was so prevalent that it's said, according to ushistory.org, that New England was the 'birthplace of grandparents.'

Thanks to Massachusetts law which required a high tax, literacy rates were up as well, and the sole purpose of this was so that children would be able to read the Bible. Taxes paid for the schools that were built for communities up to 50, meaning that, for the most part, having an education was fully possible in the colonies.

However, not everyone had rights in colonial New England. It's no secret that the villages were run by men, and women had little rights, if any at all. They weren't permitted to attend town meetings and didn't have any power in church decisions. The minister supported this concept as well, claiming that the soul consisted of two halves - an immortal half, which was the 'masculine' half, and the mortal half, which was the 'feminine' half. This belief extended even to childbirth, where it was believed that a woman would have a nice rosy complexion should she be pregnant with a boy and a pale complexion should she be having a girl.

Harsh Consequences

• The religious punishment for people in New England during Puritan times was severe.
• Puritans often went with Bible quotes and scriptures to justify their actions toward those deemed 'unholy' or breaking the rules of the church.

Those who didn't follow the rules of the church or respect the rules society had set in place would be subject to serious consequences. Routinely missing church meant that those in defiance would be fined, as the church was a place where meetings were held and important issues were discussed. It's said that those who didn't pay attention in church were also subject to punishment, as it was the job of one man selected to carry a pole which had feathers at one end to 'tickle' the faces of those who fell asleep, and a knob at the other to prod sleeping children.

Those who didn't complete God's work were punished even more harshly, and some accounts even tell of hangings in Boston Commons as a result for those who dared worship a different religion. Adulterers, as seen in The Scarlet Letter, were actually forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' if they weren't executed for their crimes against marriage. Public whippings and the use of a stockade were also considered adequate punishment. Since the Puritans believed in the Old Testament ways of life, they figured their punishments on earth were far minor compared to what God would punish them for. While this seems incredibly harsh, it was believed that as long as God's law was followed, no one would be harmed or need punishment for their wrongdoings.

How Much New England Has Changed Today

• New England has shifted to progressive policies over the years.
• This is deemed one of the better regions to live and vacation in the United States.

As the centuries changed, so did the people and traditions of New England. What once was known as a Puritan-run colony/colonies within North America soon became a beacon of higher education, liberal policies, and a continuation of a better quality of life. New England has long been home to prestigious universities, century-old churches, and traditions that still hold true today.

For example, Harvard is one of the world's finest educational institutions and is located where Puritans would have once ruled Massachusetts. Salem is another more dark-rooted town in New England, where witches once burned for their doings. Now, however, it's peaceful, and the witchiness still reigns on in their memory today.

New England is one of the better regions to live in the US and will likely continue to be that way. The fall is also THE perfect time to go back in time for anyone interested in New England.