The Marriage Act of 1719 was introduced by Col. Jeremiah Basse to the House of Representatives (he was a member during this time, serving from 1716-1721), and was appointed Attorney-General, March 28, 1719, serving greater than 4 years. There was no precedent for - "An Act to prevent Clandestine Marriages" - and nothing similar was found in New York or Pennsylvania. The following is an excerpt from "Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Volume XXII, Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Marriage Records, 1665-1800" by William Nelson, Paterson NJ 1900, in the chapter or section on "The Early Marriage Laws of New Jersey and the Influences Bearing Upon Their Formation, pp.xcviii-cv, and begins with the following: The Marriage Act of 1719. The origin of this Act does not appear. No petition for it is mentioned in the journals of either branch of the Legislature. It may have been politics of a certain questionable sort, as the law was to the pecuniary interest of the numerous justices of the peace throughout the Province. Perhaps it was designed to correct the growing abuses of the existing system. It shows much care and artificial skill in its drafting--so much so that it remained unchanged on the statute books for three-quarters of a century..." Sect. I of the Act starts out with - "WHEREAS of late Years several Young Persons have been, by the Wicked Practices of evil disposed Persons, and their Confederates, inticed, inveighled and deluded, led away and Clandestinely Married, which has often been to the Ruin of the Parties so Married, as well as the great Grief of their Parents and Relations." The Act goes on to say that no license was to be issued to persons under the age of "One and Twenty Years" without consent of parent or parents, guardian or guardians, etc., and that a 'certificate' had to be issued. Section 2. - "Any Person or Officer that now is, or hereafter shall be appointed by the Governor or Commander in Chief, for the Time being, to give out License of Marriage within this Province, who shall give or issue the same to any Person or Persons contrary to the Directions, true Intent and Meaning of this Act, or any Part thereof, shall forfeit the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds lawful Money of His Majesties Plantations in America, to be Recovered by Action of Debt, with cost of Suit, by the Parent, Guardian of (or Person under whose Care) any Person Married by Virtue of such License, shall be, in the Supream Court within this Province, in which there shall be no Essoyn, Protection or Wager of Law, or any more that one Imparlance...." Further this Act stipulates that the minister or Justice of Peace had to forfeit Two Hundred Pounds similarly - "who shall joyn any Persons together in Marriage not having a License mentioning such Certificate..." Apparently, this act was to protect parents against their children should said children marry without consent of parents. There are 9 parts to this Act. And while I fully intend to transcribe this entire section at a later date, I cannot quote all that is mentioned therein just now. Hope this helps. David Tourison sent this to the list originally- I am just the forwardee. L.