Question

How were the lives of women during the early antebellum era(1800-1830)

Answer 1

Horrible.. They had stay home and work on stuff while the men got to make money and do what they wanted.

Answer 2

The women in this era were property of their families for all intents and purposes.
The wealthy would have servants to wait on them, dress them and keep them company. They were also made to know the proper ways of housekeeping- in that they had to know how to handle servants and host parties, manage household budgets, etc. They also would learn proper decorum- how to carry/present themselves, how to dance, needlepoint, painting, playing an instrument-such as the harp or piano, singing and being well read- but not too well read. Their fathers would arrange marriages in most cases. They had beautiful dresses tho!
If they were not free women it was a life of serving.