What was it like growing a young lady in the south in the 1800s?

Answer 1

Depends on your class. Plantation owners had black nannies to care for the young girls (called mammies) and would get them a governess later, then send them to finishing school.

Wealthy girls living in town went to private schools, usually escorted by a black servant.

Not-so-wealthy girls went to public schools. There were no black schools, of course. The few blacks who got educated prior to the 1850s were done privately or were sent north for an education.

As for general plantation life, girls were not allowed to sleep until noon. They were up around 5am for exercise and breakfast, then lessons. They also learned housekeeping from their mothers because slaves had to be supervised. Dancing was also important to a social girl and she would attend dances for the younger set from the age of seven and "come out" when she was 16 or so. Social graces were heavily emphasized along with proper behavior toward the inferior classes. Penmanship was an essential course. Languages, notably French and Italian, and etiquette were stressed. Mathematics beyond business math (needed to run a good house) were not taught.

Read "Gone With the Wind" and the diaries of some of the Civil War ladies. There's a notable one available at www.gutenberg.net.

By the way, the "vapors" were not part of fainting spells as you might assume. When a lady had the vapors, she usually excused herself from her social engagements to stay at home and fart in private. Yup, vapors is gas.

Answer 2

Well first of all, it depends on your race and your class...

If you are white and wealthy, you live a comfortable life on a plantation with a secure family and have few wants. You are learning how to act a lady and be polite, while obviously trying to find a suitable husband so you can be a plantation mother yourself one day.

If you are white and poor, you work ALL the time. You manage the home and hope your husband works too. You're probably relatively religious, maybe a Baptist, and you work diligently for God and survival. Your life consists of sustaining your family, which undoubtedly is large.

If you are black, you are a slave. Slaves' lives were full of work and often punishment. Many slaves lived a life of service either in the field or in the home of the plantation, often called "de Big House." You may take part in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves sneak to freedom. However, most likely, you rely on your traditional roots, a solid family (that you hope is not sold off) and strong faith to get you through your terrible lot in life, hoping to make it to "de other sid de Jordan"... in other words, heaven.

Good luck! Great question.

Answer 3

Did they need a greenhouse to grow young ladies? Or were they hardy enough to be left out all year?

Answer 4

I didn't know you could grow young ladies. I need some - I'll have to watch these answers carefully.

Answer 5

I'm not sure... I don't remember most of it. It was so long ago...