If that horse was in the field all day, pulling the plow, then that young swain had to walk. If he had followed the plow and the horse all day, he wasn't too interested in walking too far, either. In my great-grandfather's family, with six girls, the marriages were with neighbors who were within 3 or less miles. It also so happened that they were all of the same religion. Barbara Wyche ----- Original Message ----- From: <KBLARSEN99@aol.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2001 4:29 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Bride Searches Dear List, In a rural community in the 1700s-1800s I believe most social contacts were made at Church Socials and/or Community Dances, usually on Saturday Nights. After a hard day in the field, and a bath, just how many miles might a prospective swain ride on horse for a bride search? Would there be a difference in the South or North? Ken Larsen ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== USGW Archives Pension Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pensions/ ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB