Why the Periwig?

The periwig, in colonial days, was a distinguishing badge of gentle folks. An anonymous traveler of the 1740s observed that in Maryland:

“Tis an odd Sight, that except some of the very elevated Sort, few Persons wear Perukes, so that you would imagine they were all sick, or going to bed: Common People wear Woollen and Yarn Caps, but the better ones wear white Holland or Cotton: Thus they travel fifty Miles from Home. It may be…