Women played an essential role in American society as mothers and homemakers.
Elizabeth Collins Graves was born December 23, 1692 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Joseph Collins and Maria Smith.
Elizabeth married Samuel Graves. Samuel was born June 1, 1692. His parents were Mark and Rebecca Graves and he was the grandson of Thomas Graves. Samuel was a carpenter.
Elizabeth and Samuel's children included:
Sarah Graves Collins (1713, married Job Collins),
Mary Graves Flint (1720, married Amos Flint), and
Desire Graves (1724).
Samuel died on Octber 7, 1716 in Lynn. Elizabeth followed in 1736.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
A Puritan woman's clothing consisted of underpants, stockings, linen, shift, petticoat, chemise (underblouse), bolster (a padded roll tied around the hips under the skirt), bodice, skirt, apron, coif (cap), outer gown and shoes.
A woman might wear a ruff or bow and an apron. Cloaks were worn instead of coats. Women carried a small cloth draw-string bag or reticule and perhaps wore a chatelaine.
It was common for bequests in Colonial America to include wearing apparel.
The town common (commons) was a small, open field at the center of the town which was jointly owned. It was used as a marketplace, a place for the militia to drill, or for grazing livestock.
