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Colonial
Apprentice |
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In the 1700's going to school was not a priority
for many children. Instead of going to school the boys
would learn to do their fathers' trades. If the boy wanted
to learn a different trade when he got older, he would start an
apprenticeship. Apprentices were people who trained for
many years to become an artisan (skilled worker). Usually
an apprentice would train for seven or more years. Age
nine was the youngest a boy could become an apprentice. It
was very hard work. An apprentice would work long hours to
learn his trade. Being an apprentice was a great way
of helping a young boy learn to make his own living and raise a
family.
To graduate, an apprentice had to show he had learned his trade. He would produce proof by making a barrel if he was a cooper, carving wood if he was a furniture maker or mold a silver bowl if he was a silversmith. If this satisfied the master, the apprentice would become a journeyman, the next step to becoming a master craftsman. He would be given a "freedom suit" of new clothes by his master and sometimes a set of tools appropriate to his trade, and the new journeyman would set out to find work. In colonial times trades like blacksmiths, coopers, or wheelwrights were important. There were no factories and people depended on these tradesmen to provide for many of their needs. In those days learning a trade often replaced a formal education. Without these trades, it would have been even more difficult to live in colonial times.
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Apprentices could work as carpenters and many other things. |
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Created by Laura and Leora Solomon Schechter Day School June 2006 |
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