Modes of Transportation

During colonial times there were several modes of transportation. The true importance was how well it got you from point A to point B. Of course your status in society also played a major part in how well you traveled. With the proper amount of coin, anything was possible.

Let's talk class - which one are you?

Slaves, servants - both indentured and paid, or workers

Most of the time, you walked wherever you wanted to go. You could not afford a horse, and you  most certainly could not afford a carriage.

 Slaves and servants traveled by foot or by wagon if traveling a far distance into town to deliver goods.
But even then, you probably walked next to the wagon which was loaded up with goods to trade.

Middling class - you might be a shopkeeper or own a small farm/plot of land

 If you are transporting goods, you will use a small cart. If you could afford a horse or other animal to pull the cart, then you would lead it. If you could not afford one, you pulled the cart with the help of a worker or child.

 To save money, you walked most places. Everywhere in town you walked. If you wanted or needed to travel into the country, you would use a wagon.

Gentry - you are the upper class - you own slaves, land, and may even have a title.

Of course you walked. You may have more money than the lower classes, but you still needed to walk about the town. You probably rode a carriage into town and left it at one end. A servant would bring the carriage to you when you reached your final destination - perhaps the Chocolate Shoppe?

Depending on how wealthy you, would determine the type of carriage you had. The more money, the more elaborate the carriage. There were also different types of carriages - from two seaters that you drove yourself to a four seater using a driver. You might have an open carriage or a closed carriage.  If you were very wealthy, you had several different types of carriages at your disposal.

Military - army or navy

The way you traveled in the military also depended on class - in the case - rank. The higher up you were, the more prestigious your mount. You would ride a horse if you were decorated. You might also ride a horse if you owned a horse and brought it along for the battle. Otherwise, you marched in formation or walked behind a cart or wagon.

Sailors