I looked up on the internet and Bing Dictionary has one definition as an unmarried women in legal documents: in some legal documents, a woman who has never married. Merrian-Webster dictionary definition 2 a - a archaic: an unmarried woman of gentie family. 2b - an unmarried woman and especially one past the common age for marrying. It also can mean a woman whose occupation is to spin. I believe in 1700s/1800s legal documents a widow might be shown as a spinster. So do not take from a legal documents that the person has never married. She may or may not have. On Sep 6, 2012, at 4:45 AM, Chris Dickinson <chris@dickinson.uk.net> wrote: > Gordon Trueblood wrote: > > >> I think all of us know the distinction between spinster and widow. However, I am wondering if in 17th century England there might be times when a widow would be referred to as a spinster? > > > It is possible. I can't remember coming across that specific usage, but I have certainly seen 'single man' used for a widower. On the whole, a woman would prefer to use the term 'widow' to 'spinster' - it gave more status and more control over finances - but she may have had reasons to prefer to be known as unmarried and whoever described her as spinster might not have had any knowledge to the contrary. > > Bear in mind that 'Mrs' was an honorific for gentlewomen, whether married or not. If you've come across this person described both as 'Mrs' asnd 'spinster' then she's an unmarried person of high status. > > > Chris > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to QUAKER-ROOTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Jean Leeper grannyroots@iowatelecom.net "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car." The Salvation Poem: Jesus, You died upon a cross and rose again to save the Lost! Forgive me now of all my sin, Come be my Savior, Lord and Friend. Change my life and make it new and help me, Lord, to live for You. www.thesalvationpoem.com