Odd Colonial Laws

• In the 1600’s Pilgrims and Puritans outlawed the celebration of Christmas.
  
• In Jamestown, Virginia it was illegal to gamble, be drunk, or be lazy. It was also illegal to wear gaudy clothes.
  
• In Massachusetts one could be punished for eavesdropping, smoking, dancing, playing cards, and pulling hair.
  
• In Albany, New York police could destroy any sleds that they found kids sledding on.
  
• While never actual used, it was punishable by death if a 16 or older teen to rebelled against their parents.
  
• It was illegal in Massachusetts to live alone.
  
• Only rich people could wear fancy clothes made of fine materials, or with gold buttons.
  
• If you bathed more than once in a month in Philadelphia you could be jailed.
  
• In New England if a woman got married in her nightgown her new husband was not responsible for any depts. She incurred before the wedding.