Daily Life
Rhode Island has red clay soil with lots of hills and forests. Most people are shipbuilders, dairy and cattle farmers for their living.
Major Industry: Agriculture (livestock, dairy, fishing), Manufacturing (lumbering)
Major Cities: Providence
Colony Named for: Dutch for "red island"
Many of the exports in Rhode Island were Cattle, corn, lumber, and ships. Many Imports included Clothing, furniture, tools, silver, books, some foodstuffs, leather goods, sugar, molasses, weapons and slaves. Farming in colonial differed in many ways from farming today. The most significant difference was in what crops were grown where. Farmers in the Rhode Island had a rough time of it. Much of the soil wasn't good for growing crops, especially near the ocean. Also, the early and long-lasting winters killed many crops quickly. Still, Rhode Island farmers often grew enough food to feed their families and maybe even help feed other families. The main kind of food Rhode Islanders contributed to the economy was fish.
Major Industry: Agriculture (livestock, dairy, fishing), Manufacturing (lumbering)
Major Cities: Providence
Colony Named for: Dutch for "red island"
Many of the exports in Rhode Island were Cattle, corn, lumber, and ships. Many Imports included Clothing, furniture, tools, silver, books, some foodstuffs, leather goods, sugar, molasses, weapons and slaves. Farming in colonial differed in many ways from farming today. The most significant difference was in what crops were grown where. Farmers in the Rhode Island had a rough time of it. Much of the soil wasn't good for growing crops, especially near the ocean. Also, the early and long-lasting winters killed many crops quickly. Still, Rhode Island farmers often grew enough food to feed their families and maybe even help feed other families. The main kind of food Rhode Islanders contributed to the economy was fish.