Who were the main economic contributors in New England's coastal towns?

The primary economic contributors in New England's coastal towns were largely centered around the fishing and lumber industries. New England's geography, with its extensive coastline and wooded areas, made these two industries particularly prominent. Fishing provided not only sustenance for local communities but also became a significant export, with towns like Gloucester and New Bedford rising to prominence as major fishing ports. The abundance of timber in the region facilitated the lumber industry, which was essential for shipbuilding—a key component of the maritime economy in New England.

Other economic activities, such as agriculture, mining, banking, or manufacturing, were less significant in the coastal towns compared to fishing and lumber. While these towns did engage in some agricultural practices, the rocky terrain and harsh winters made large-scale agriculture impractical. Similarly, the banking and finance sectors grew later, once New England’s towns were well established. Manufacturing and textiles became more relevant as the industrial revolution progressed but were not the foundational economic drivers of New England’s coastal towns in their early development.