New-england Marriage Custom

( Originally Published Late 1800's )

It must be noted that it is the custom in this country for young persons between whom there is a courtship, or treaty of marriage, to lye together, the woman having her petticoats on, and the man his breeches ; and afterwards, if they do not fall out, they confess the covenant at church, in the midst of the congregation, and to the minister, who declares the marriage legal ; and if anything criminal has been acted, orders a punishment accordingly, sometimes of forty stripes save one.