Wives in Nantucket During the Colonial Era

Nantucket wives had a pretty hard life during the colonial time. They had a choice to stay home without their husbands risking if their loved husband will ever come back again. Or to go on the fishing trip with them, but might die themselves. The men would go fishing for whales and it was very likely that the ship could turn over at any minute and make them capsize. The wives in Nantucket had to be very responsible and know how to take care of themselves. Because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t stand a chance alone without anybody. The wives that stayed at home would find a job, or start a bushiness. They had to work very hard because their husband was at sea for months and some for years. The wives that decided to go would help on the deck as people who would read the map and choose what direction to send the ship in. Either choice they chose, both would be difficult.