What Are Some Jobs in Colonial, New Jersey?

New Jersey's soil is fertile and the summers are long. These two factors come together to create a long, productive growing season for farmers. The primary crops were corn and apples, which were dried or made into cider. Wheat, barley, oats and rye were also grown successfully in New Jersey. Farmers also raised livestock, especially cattle and hogs.

Merchants sold essential supplies to colonial townspeople and farmers. Some worked at importing (molasses, spices, hardware, fine china and furniture) and exporting (fish, cattle and other livestock, corn, dried apples, wheat, flour and timber) to places like the West Indies, England and Spain.

Taverns in colonial towns also functioned as lodging houses, the center of any government activity (elections and meetings, for example), and the hub of entertainment. The tavern keeper was a very important member of the community.

Most towns required a town clerk, a minister, an apothecary, and a schoolteacher as well as various tradesmen: coopers (who made barrels), blacksmiths, weavers, wheelwrights, carpenters, seamstresses, printers and shoemakers. Many people in New Jersey's smaller towns would have more than one job, but in larger cities such as Trenton and Princeton where there was more business, they could focus on one occupation.

Because of its ocean, bay and river coasts, many colonial New Jerseyans made their livings on the water as sailors, fishermen and shipbuilders. Others specialized in selling the shad, sturgeon, herring, oysters and clams that were caught. Traditionally in New Jersey, river and bay fishing has been more lucrative than ocean and deep-sea fishing.