Profusely illustrated, the first half of Mrs. Jester's book lays the groundwork with accounts of the first dwellings at Jamestown, the arrival of women to the colony, living off the land, improvements in supply from England, construction of clapboard houses, typical cargo manifests, and, finally, the appearance of plantation houses. Part II takes an in-depth view of cavalier households, ranging from furniture, utensils, clothing, and jewelry; the status of women, including household servants; and pastimes or traditions such as horse racing, music, drinking habits, travel, and funerals/burials.