Whipping was a common punishment in the middle colonies for a variety of offenses, including theft, drunkenness, and disorderly conduct. The number of lashes a person received varied depending on the severity of the offense.
2. Branding
Branding was another common punishment in the middle colonies. A person convicted of a crime would be branded with a hot iron on the cheek or forehead. The brand would usually be a letter or symbol that indicated the crime the person had committed.
3. Pillory
The pillory was a device used to publicly humiliate criminals. A person convicted of a crime would be placed in the pillory with their head and hands locked in place. They would then be pelted with rotten vegetables, eggs, and other objects by passersby.
4. Stocks
The stocks were another device used to publicly humiliate criminals. A person convicted of a crime would be placed in the stocks with their feet locked in place. They would then be left there for hours or even days at a time.
5. Imprisonment
Imprisonment was a relatively rare punishment in the middle colonies. However, it was sometimes used for serious crimes, such as murder or robbery.