I understand some of you didn't get the full letter, so I will try again. > >> >>My wife received the following message. Thought you would find it of >>interest. It's a new one on me! >> >>Sam in KY >> >>Subj: History >>Date: 3/28/2000 8:56:03 PM Central Standard Time >>From: estewart1@sosinet.net (stewart) >>Reply-to: estewart1@sosinet.net (stewart) >> >>Hello Everyone: >> >>I recently came across the following genealogical tidbit >>from a family history book that had come into my >>possession and thought I would share it with the list. >>The source will follow the text. >> >> THE SMOCK WEDDING >> >>"One of the more unusual customs that came to America was the >>SMOCK WEDDING. Under English common law if a widow remarried >>and brought any of her late husband's property to the marriage, the new >>husband became liable for any and all the debts of the previous husband. >>Women owned nothing in their own right, and this included their clothing. >>So it became the custom for indebted widows to get married in their >>underwear, or smocks." >> >>"The SMOCK WEDDING was tripple-fold. It was a bankruptcy proceeding; >>it was a marriage ceremony; it was an investiture because the bride then >>got >>a new wardrobe from her new husband". >> >>"In theory the ceremony was held for all to see, on a public highway. But >>in >>practice many smock weddings were indoors." >> >>"When Major Moses JOY married Widow Hannah WARD of Newfame, >>Vermont, in 1789, she was stark naked. She was in a closet, her hand >>extended >>through a hole cut in the door. Then she put on a fine set of clothes and >>emerged from her closet in style, to the general admiration of the >>assembled" >> >>Source: >>Ancestors and Descendants of LEWIS ROSS FREEMAN with related families >>By Patty Barthell Myers Penobscot Press 1995. Page 626 >> >>Florence ("Patty") B. Myers may be reached at 15 Campden Circle, San >>Antonio, >>TX 78218. If anyone has Ms. Myers email address I would be interested in >>receiving it. >> > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com