Customs and Fashions in Old New England

								

Irish lover who proposed to a widow at the open grave of her husband.
Judge Sewall went home with widow Denison from her husband's funeral and
"prayed God to keep house with her." The very next day he writes, "Mr.
Danforth gives the Widow Denison a high commendation for her Piety,
Goodness, Diligence and Humility." On April 7th she came to the widower
to prove her husband's will; and another match-making friend, Mr. Dow,
"took occasion to say in her absence that she was one of the most
Dutiful Wives in the World." A few days later the Judge made her a gift,
"a Widow's book having writ her name in it."
At last, after talking the matter over with all his friends, he decided
positively to go a-courting. Widow Denison came to his house and he
says:



     "I took her up into my chamber and discoursed Thorowly with her:

     told her I intended to visit her next Lecture Day. She said 'twould

     be talk'd of, I answered: In such Cases persons must run the

     Gantlet. Gave her an Oration."
He visited her as he had promised and gave her "Dr. Mathers Sermons
neatly bound and told her in it we were invited to a wedding. She gave
me very good Curds." Other love gifts followed: "K. Georges Effigies in
Copper and an English Crown of K. Charles II. 1677." "A pound of
Reasons and Proportionate Almonds," "A Psalmbook elegantly bound in
Turkey leather," "A pair of Shoe Buckles cost five shillings three
pence." "Two Cases with a knife and fork in each; one Turtle Shell
Tackling; the other long with Ivory Handles squar'd cost four shillings
sixpence."
In the meantime he read with Cousin Moodey the history of Rebekah's
courtship, and then prayed over it, and over his own wooing. Madam
Rogers and Madam Leverett much congratulated him, and his daughter
Judith visited her prospective stepmother. But alas! the lady was coy
and averse to a decision:



     "She mentions her Discouragement by reason of Discourse she had

     heard. Ask't what I should allow her, she not speaking I told her I

     was willing to allow her two hundred and fifty pounds per annum if

     it should please God to take me out of the world before her. She

     answered she had better keep as she was than give up a certainty

     for an uncertainty. She would pay dear for her living in Boston. I

     desired her to make Proposals but she made none. I had thought of

     Publishment next Thursday. But I now seem far from it. My God who

     has the pity of a Father Direct and help me."
Mr. Denison's will left his widow a portion of his estate to dispose of
as she wished if she did not marry again. Judge Sewall was unwilling to
make equal provision for her, hence the stumbling block in their
courtship.
After consulting with a friend, the Judge made a final visit to her on
November 28th.



     "She said she thought it was hard to part with all and having

     nothing to bestow on her Kindred. I had ask'd her to give me