VA - Fourth Day

May 3, 1730

Social Pyramid of Colonies

           After an eventful day yesterday, today was more of a relaxing day. I learned that the social structure over here is not that much different over here than back home. The main difference is the group at the top. In New England, the group at the top mainly consisted of rich merchant princes, who made their profits as military suppliers. At the top in Virginia are the rich landowners and plantation owners. As I mentioned earlier, New England has small farms rather than large plantations. But starting from the next step down on the social pyramid, Virginia's matches New England's. Next down are small farmers. They make up the majority of the population. After them come the indentured servants. They volunteer to work for a period usually between 5-7 years for plantation owners in exchange for passage to America and the promise of land and a fresh start after the period of work. Even farther down than them are the prisoners and criminals of England. England is rumored to have sent over 50,000 prisoners to America, some murderers and rapists, and others unfortunate victims of a very unfair English penal code. Last on the social pyramid are the black slaves. They have virtually no rights, and they make up most of the workers on the big plantations.