Is most colonists in New England and the Middle Colonies were merchants?

While merchants played a significant role in the economies of New England and the Middle Colonies, most colonists in these regions were not merchants. In New England, many settlers engaged in farming, fishing, and shipbuilding, while the Middle Colonies had a more diverse economy that included agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, and trade. The merchant class was important for trade and commerce, but the majority of the population was involved in other occupations.