What was NY life like in the 1700's?

Answer 1

Nothing special. In only a few cases the work day was from sunrise until sunset on a year around basis. Work for advancement and work for freedom from servitude was a social norm. Work for tormorrow may have been a mantra. Someday. Tommorrow.

The very few at the top rung of Colonial Society could plan on wealth and a return to Europe within three years as Nouveau Riche. There were risks and the cost of establishising a viable colony were tremendous. Consider some items on your shopping list:

• Purchase and rig three sailing ships capable of three Trans-Atlantic voyages.
• Obtain crews and their supplies.
• Obtain 72 qualified and adventurous settlers each year for three years, assemble their essentials for survival including including a pre-fabricated grist mill, essentials for a pot still and a brewery, a lumber yard, a supply of smiths, glass and brick making tools, shipwrights, six skiffs for fishing and exploration as well as whaling, put together the essentials of agriculture including seed grain, vine cuttings, seedlings of every available fruit and vegetable. Add casks of familiar but exotic spices and flavor enhancers, at least six tons of salt for the first three voyages since that source. Provide as a part of each 24 person settlement group at least 6 to 8 qualified soldiers or soldiers of fortune to protect each settlement. Provide some representative of religion. After the first year include space for women passengers or expect to lose control of the expedition. Put together a reserve food supply and an iron supply for the starving time. Round up 10 cows and 2 bulls, 20 sows and 2 boars and 20 ewes and 2 rams for each ship. Don't forget to bring thousands of trade knives, hundreds of hatchets, dozens of axes and enough beads and trinkets as you think you might need to purchase Manhattan.
• Expect your appointed governor to need a few amenities like servants.
• Plan it and pack it. Do it. The rewards could be enormous. or you might just de in the New World.