A Colonial Craftsman

Children's Literature

"What will you be when you grow up?" Children of every era have answered this perennial question by citing adults whose jobs inspire them, either because they lead to social or economic success or because the work itself is intrinsically interesting. In colonial America, successful craftsmen were the role models for most youngsters. This title in Thomson Gale's "The Working Life" series gives a succinct overview of the historical milieu of the colonial craftsman and traces the process by which a boy became a master of his craft. Boys, not girls, became craftsmen's apprentices because few crafts practiced outside the home admitted women to their ranks. Five typical crafts are examined in depth: blacksmith, gunsmith, silversmith, wig maker and printer. Only the last accepted female apprentices. Besides discussing the specific skills, materials and tools each of these crafts demanded, the author explains how the individual practitioners of these crafts fit into colonial society. Silversmiths, for instance, dealt in luxury goods and often sought ways to mix in society—such as clubs and politics—which were unnecessary for blacksmiths to explore. Footnotes, bibliography and an index are included. 2005, Thomson Gale/Lucent Books, Ages 8 to 12.
—Michele Tremaine