GLOSSARY
A - F
abolitionist: an opponent of slavery; someone who actively campaigned against slavery
almshouse: a poorhouse
apprentice: one learning a trade or occupation under the supervision of a skilled worker
archaeology: the scientific study of ancient cultures through the examination of their material remains, such as buildings, graves, tools, pottery, and other artifacts.
artifacts: objects of historical or archaeological interest produced or shaped by humans
bed tick: a stuffed mattress that could be rolled up for easy storage
botanist: one who engages in the science or study of plants
breeches: trousers extending to the knee
butler: a head household servant usually in charge of food service and other servants
carpenter: a worker who makes, finishes, and repairs wooden structures
chamber pot: a portable container used as a toilet
cipher (also cypher): to solve problems by arithmetic
convict servants: people convicted for a variety of crimes to work in the colonies to work as punishment for a set period of time
corn pone: cornmeal bread usually flattened and baked or fried on a griddle
domestic: of or relating to the family or home
ecological: ecology is the study of relationships between living things and their environment
enslaved: to make into a slave
exports: items sent abroad especially for trade
ferry: a boat used to transport passengers, goods, or vehicles across a body of water
flax: a plant that was grown for both its seeds and fiber. The term also refers to the fabric made from the plant's fibers.
frivolous: unworthy of serious attention; inappropriately silly
G - N
gentry: an upper or ruling class
half-thick breeches: half-thick was a thinner weave of wool usually worn by slaves or servants
hearth: the brick, stone, or cement on the floor of a fireplace that usually extends into the room
hogshead barrels: a barrel or cask with the capacity to hold between 63 and 140 gallons of liquid
hops: the dried flower of the hop plant used in brewing to add flavor to beer
indentured servant: a person who has agreed to work without pay for a set length of time, generally for a period of five to seven years, to pay off their debt.
joiner: a cabinet maker
Late Woodland Period: historical era dating between 3,200-1,000 years ago when pottery and more permanent villages became common
license: having official or legal permission to do something
malnourished: undernourished, supplied with too little food to maintain growth and good health
marriage bond: a binding agreement or covenant to marry
marriage license: a document granting legal permission to marry
merchant: one who buys goods wholesale and sells them for a profit; a business owner or shopkeeper.
midden: a trash mound or heap. Archaeologists study middens to determine the location of human settlements.
midwife: a person trained to assist women during childbirth
mortar and pestle: a container in which substances are crushed or ground with a pestle. A pestle is a club shaped tool used for grinding or smashing substances in a mortar.
Nine Men's Morris: a board game, similar to tic-tac-toe and checkers, in which players try to make three in a row while opponents remove their game pieces
O - P
ordinary: a licensed public house that accommodated travelers and horses
osnaburg: a heavy, coarse, cotton fabric used for grain sacks, upholstery, draperies, and clothing - especially for the lower classes.
persecution: to oppress or harass with ill-treatment because of race or religion
petticoat: a skirt-like garment worn with a gown or jacket
pickled: preserved in vinegar, brine, or another liquid
poultice: a soft moist mass, usually made of a mixture of plants, flour, and animal fat applied to wounds to prevent infection, inflammation, or soreness
primary source documents: items that recount history or events that were created at that time. Examples include maps, letters, tax records, court records, newspaper accounts, art work, photographs, or anything that might help reveal information about a particular time.
prose: normal writing, not poetry, written without embellishment or rhyme
privy (privies - plural): an outdoor toilet; an outhouse
public house: a business, such as a tavern or inn, that is licensed to sell alcohol, serve food, and provide overnight accommodations
Q - W
Quaker: a member of the Society of Friends, a Christian group founded by George Fox in England in the 1650s. Quakers believe in peace, simplicity, and equality.
quarters: a place of residence, a proper or assigned place
ration: a fixed portion, especially of food, that was issued to members of a group
schooner: a sailing vessel with at least two masts, a foremast and a mainmast, with fore-and aft-sails on all lower masts
shallop: a small open boat fitted with oars, sails or both and used in shallow waters
shift: a simple garment worn next to the skin made of white linen with drawstrings at the neck and elbows
small beer: weak beer; beer that has been brewed to remove alcohol
smallpox: a highly infectious and often deadly disease that was caused by a pox virus, characterized by high fever, aches and marks or pocks on the skin. It has been controlled through vaccination.
stays: an undergarment that was tied tightly around the ribs, waist, and hips, and stiffened with wire, whalebone, or wood
stockings: a close-fitting knit covering for the foot and leg
sweet bag: a scented sachet filled with flower petals and herbs to mask unpleasant odors
tincture: a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
tributary (tributaries): a stream that flows into another stream or body of water
valet: a male servant who takes care of clothing and performs other personal services
waistcoat: a short, sleeveless, collarless garment worn over a shirt and under a suit jacket; a vest
