Changes

A majority of New England residents were small farmers. Within these small farm families, and English families as well, men had complete power over the property and his wife. When married, English women lost their maiden name and personal identity, meaning they could not own property, file lawsuits, or participate in political life, even when widowed. The role of wives was to raise and nurture healthy children and support their husbands. Most women carried out these duties. In the mid-18th century, women usually married in their early 20s and had 6 to 8 children, most of whom survived to adulthood(cn). Farm women provided most of the materials needed by the rest of the family which includes spinning [[yarn]] from [[wool]] and [[knitting]] sweaters and stockings, making [[candle]]s and [[soap]], and churning milk into [[butter]].