Friday, December 14, 2012

A settler sends off for a wife

Via Southern Nationalist Network

 
A prospering settler in the West Indies, feeling the need of a wife, ordered from London along with his annual supplies by next ship “a young woman of the qualifications and form following: As for a portion I demand none, let her be of an honest family; between twenty and twenty-five years of age; of a middle stature and well proportioned; her face agreeable, her temper mild, her character blameless, her health good, and her constitution strong enough to bear the change of the climate. …If she arrives and conditioned as above said, with the present letter endorsed by you, …that there may be no imposition, I hereby oblige and engage myself to satisfy the said letter by marrying the bearer at fifteen days sight.”
The agent promptly sent a maiden who carried the document endorsed, along with certificates of temper, character and health from neighbors, her curate and four physicians; and in due time the twain were made one.

Life and Labor in the Old South, Ulrich Bonnell Phillips’ page 141

2 comments:

  1. Phyllis (N/W Jersey)December 15, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    ...and in due time, the 'twain' were made one. My Grandmother used to use that word. Her people were from Whitby Abbey in England. Thanks for the memories!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...and in due time, the 'twain' were made one.

      I loved that also. Aditionally, my mother would also use it as well as "Can't you speak the King's English"? and many more.:)

      Delete