And y'e s'd Thom's Challis
and Sarah Weed, as a further confirmation thereof did then and there to
these presents set their hands, she assuming y'e name of her husband. And
we whose names are hereto subscribed being present amongst others at
their solemnizing Subscription in manner afores'd have hereto set our
names as witness."
Then follow the names of groom and bride, relatives on either side, and
then the names of members in the assembly, first the "menfolks," then
the "womenfolks." The names all told are forty-one. Among them is that
of Joseph Whittier, which name with those of Challis and Weed have long
been honored names in Amesbury.
The marriage gift to the husband on the part of his parents was usually
a farm, a part of the homestead; the dowry to the young bride from her
parents was a cow, a year's supply of wool, or something needful in
setting up house-keeping. If the homestead farm was not large the young
couple were brave enough to encounter the labors and toils of frontier
life, and begin for themselves on virgin soil and amid new scenes. It
required bravery on the part of the young bride.
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