Weird Practices That Were Normal in Colonial America

#WeirdHistory #americanhistory #colonialamerica
In Colonial America, several practices that seem bizarre today were commonplace. One peculiar custom was "bundling," a courtship practice where unmarried couples would sleep together fully clothed, often with a wooden board separating them. This was intended to encourage intimacy while maintaining chastity.
Another oddity was the widespread belief in witchcraft, most infamously culminating in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. People, especially women, were accused of witchcraft based on flimsy evidence and paranoia, leading to trials and executions.
Medical practices were also strange by modern standards. Bloodletting, using leeches or cutting veins to drain blood, was a common treatment for various ailments, based on the belief that it balanced bodily humors. Similarly, treatments often involved herbal remedies, some of which were effective while others were purely superstitious.
Punishments for crimes were harsh and public, designed to deter others. Stocks and pillories were common, where offenders were immobilized and exposed to public ridicule. More severe punishments included flogging, branding, and even execution for more serious offenses.
Lastly, the colonial diet included dishes that might seem unusual today, like "hasty pudding," a simple porridge of cornmeal, water, and salt, reflecting the limited resources and utilitarian approach to food in the colonies.
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