Chapter 3 notes Life in the colonies New England in the 17th century New Englanders thought God had ordained the family essential to the maintenance of social order outside of families people succumb to carnal temptations Family ruled by the father all important decisions were made by him with his wife?s deference wife helped raise the children along with the father These people who emigrated as whole families preserved English custom much Better than single people who came to America reduced the shock of moving so far away About 20,000 people emigrated from England in the years between 1630-1640 by the end of the 17th century the population of Massachusetts was 120,000 people lived longer in New England at this time