For those who love historic tales of the American West and who
are romantics at heart, there has been no more elusive research
topic than the weddings which took place on the frontiers.
Persons from all factions of society undertook these often rough
and tumble ceremonies and their stories paint a vivid picture of
18th and 19th-century life in America.
The westward migration of Americans, beginning in earnest
circa 1750, was in itself a unique undertaking. Manners and form
were necessarily relaxed and allowed for these unconventional
marriages to take place, with potential grooms, in need of wives
in order to set up homesteads, outnumbering the willing ladies.
Fortunately for historical researchers, many women kept journals
of their experiences during this time and photography was soon to
be born. Therefore, archival material has always been available,
but it took the skills of author Cathy Luchetti (WOMEN OF THE
WEST ) to compile it in poignant fashion in
her new book, 'I DO!'
COURTSHIP, LOVE, AND MARRIAGE ON THE AMERICAN FRONTIER.
Luchetti includes all sorts of brides in her book, including
military, homestead, mail-order, ranch and urban Victorian, as
well as native, black, Spanish and Asian-American women. While
they all headed West, their modes of transport and life stories
vary greatly. We find that, in 1866, entrepreneur Asa Shinn
Mercer traveled the country giving seminars at which he made
promises of both employment and husbands to girls willing to book
passage on his ship bound for Washington on the West coast. While
his own morals were questionable, what with his charging passage
fees as he saw fit, taxing items of luggage, etc., he insisted
that the women remain ladies during their time aboard his ship.
No flirting with the crew and no late nights were his rules, but
these were often broken. Two ladies were put ashore in Brazil,
the records branding them "unfortunate," and one exuberant miss
enticed her fellow travelers to song, flirtation and, horrors,
even dancing. Captain Mercer had no recourse but to avow that she
was, "no better than a ruined girl."
Through journal and diary entries, Luchetti pieces together
the snippets of social customs which make up the American quilt,
bringing us details of everyday life which show us what was
important to these women-and their husbands.
Food, it seems, was used not only in courtship through pie
socials and basket dinners, but was often used as a barometer for
faithfulness. For instance, "Cookies were considered a
covenant-the first batch was always given to the best beloved,
the second noted for its lesser status. Food distribution might
be carefully watched by a jealous spouse. Emily Hawley's husband,
James, 'twitted' her about "getting good meals of victuals when
insurance agents or a young man came from town."
These stories, recorded in individual style by diverse hands,
are invaluable. In fairness, the author has included an entry
from a diary totaling 16 volumes and kept over 25 years by a
gentleman, George W. Riley.
Months before his 25th wedding anniversary to his wife, Lucy
Ann, George, who wrote in 1880, "am able to give an account of my
Selfe every day for the past 16 years or 5640 days. Perhaps I
cannot give as good a record as I ought to be able to give but am
glad that things have gon [sic] no worse for us than they have,
but on the Contrary...so many blessings have followed us during
the whole time of my Diary Keeping together with our whole
lives." Indeed, George had reason to give thanks for hardships
abounded, and Luchetti presents these and contemporary
photographs, as well, to complete this book which is both a
thorough study and a mighty entertaining read.
Other fascinating insights into the history of the American
West can be gleaned from the following books: THE OXFORD HISTORY
OF THE AMERICAN WEST by Clyde A. Milner II, Carol A. O'Connor,
ed. & Martha A. Sandweiss, ed.; ATLAS OF WESTWARD
EXPANSION by Alan Wexler, Molly Braun, ill. & Carl Waldman, ed.;
and COWBOY SLANG by Edgar R. "Frosty" Potter.
Recommended Titles:
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