USA > New York > New York City > Dutch New York (early history of the Dutch in New York) > Part 17
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When a separation was granted for good cause, punishment was frequently inflicted on the offending party, as was the case in 1658:
Whereas Geertje Jans, wife of Jan Hendrickzen, glazier, has, in consequence of her committed offences and faults been banished by the Court, from this City's jurisdiction ; but having for a time absented herself therefrom, and
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coming in acknowledgement and sorrow for her perpe- trated offences and through much intercession made by worthy Burghers and inhabitants to the Burgomasters of this City, therefore is it that the Heeren abovenamed, partly from especial consideration and moreover in cen- sequence of the continual importunity and intercession, hereby pardon the above-named Geertje Jans and consent and allow her to live again with her husband within this City's jurisdiction, under her promise of amendment and a return from her previous faults and misdemeanors, and to behave herself as an honest and virtuous woman ought to do, so that no worse may happen to her.
Once being married, it was impossible for husband or wife to have the bonds of matrimony broken except on the ground of unfaithfulness. Even a separation was difficult to obtain except for persistent cruelty. An occasional wife-beating, and even an assault on the husband by his spouse, was common enough; and, if brought into court, the judges would turn the case over to the good offices of the Ministers of the Gospel with instructions to do all they could to reconcile the parties. Thus, in 1673, when Arent Lantsman's wife, Beletie Jacobson, asked for a divorce on the ground of cruelty, their Worships authorized some honorable and fitting person to reconcile, if possible, the parties to love and friendship, and report to the court. The ministers appointed could not reconcile the parties, and the court agreed with the husband's contention that it was a case of too much father and mother-in- law, and ordered the parents not to harbor their daughter beyond fourteen days, at the same time warn- ing Arent to treat his wife kindly. Shortly afterwards Beletie's father, Lodowyk Pot, again complains that Arent has beaten her, and asks to be allowed to take his daughter under his protection. Arent was bound over
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to good behavior, and ordered to pay four guilders weekly to his wife for the maintenance of the chil- dren. Later, he pleaded to have his wife back, promis- ing to give no discontent to the Worshipful Court. Two years later, however, by order of the Mayor, the following order was sent to Lantsman :
Whereas complaint has been made of the unbecoming and improper treatment of your wife, yea, so that the neighbourhood suffers great disturbance by the noise and uproar, caused principally by you, all which is in direct opposition to the orders and warnings given from time to time by this W. Court, you are therefore hereby again strictly charged to comport yourself towards your wife in such wise that no further complaint come to us.
Arent, two years later, "aggravated his evil behaviour by blasphemy," and received a final warning on pain of banishment.
New Amsterdam, being essentially a trading-port, it was only natural that some of the scum of the sea should float ashore. There is plenty of evidence that bigamists were not uncommon here. Mr. Tienhoven, the Schout, himself was accused of bigamist practices. In 1664, one Anneke Adriaen prays for divorce from A. P. Tack, "who has married another woman in Holland." In November, 1658, Laurens Duyts, who had sold his wife, Ytie Jansen, to John Parcell, an Englishman, was sentenced to have a rope tied around his neck, then to be severely flogged, to have his right ear cut off, and to be banished for fifty years. Ytie was whipped and banished. Her successor in her hus- band's affections was Geesze Jansen, who was publicly stripped naked, conducted outside the city gates, and banished for fifty years. On December 12, on the petition of John Parcel and Ytie, "two sorrowful
GLASS DRINKING VESSELS RIJKS MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
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sinners," for pardon and leave to marry, it was or- dered that they might remain three months to settle their affairs, but must separate from each other at once.
It was the custom among the wealthier classes, after consent had been given, to invite all relations and friends, to the betrothal. As soon as the contract was signed in presence of a notary, the young people re- ceived congratulations; and then the betrothal took place, that is, the rings were exchanged. Sometimes these rings were made to order and consisted of two hoops that fitted together. In addition to the rings, the betrothed gave each other the halves of a coin broken in two. Like the Indians, they confirmed their marriage sometimes by drinking the blood from a wound made in their arms. Sometimes the betrothed would sign the wedding contract with their blood, and sometimes it was entirely written in blood. Such contracts, " pact-pence," and rings were often taken to the church council when one of the betrothed had broken faith, on which the unfaithful one was sum- moned before that tribunal, and exhorted to repair the breach. Where no contracts were made or rings ex- changed, the love letters were shown. The father-in- law of the bride gave her a châtelaine of silver, leather, or filigree, with various articles hanging from silver chains, among which were a pair of scissors, a small knife in leather sheath, finely mounted, a needle-case, a silver-bound pincushion, a scent-ball, and sometimes a small mirror. These châtelaines, sometimes made of gold and of exquisite workmanship, were a sign that the young lady was engaged or betrothed, and it was considered an honor to wear them. They often appear in the New Amsterdam wills and inven- tories; for example, in 1679, Mary Jansen left to Margaret Van der Veen " a silver chain with keys,"
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and to Susannah Leisler, " a silver chain with a case and cushion." " A silver girdle with hanging keys," and " a silver girdle with three chains with hooks " are found among Asser Levy's belongings in 1682; and in 1694, Annetie van Brommell had "a set of silver chains about the middle." William Richardson ( 1692) leaves to Mary Cock "a pair of silver hilted knives and a pair of scissors with a silver chain to them."
It was customary for a lover to present his sweet- heart with a muffler of the finest cambric, embroidered in red silk with the name and date, and with acorns in the corners; a pledge of love, and the " wedding pence, or God's pence, sometimes made up of one hundred new shillings ($12 of our money), with a rhyme, " if you will, there is the muffler and the pence ; if you won't, you can return it." Instead of a muffler a silver wedding casket, filled with "pot pieces," was sometimes presented. The betrothal was always cele- brated by a dinner to which the immediate families and intimate friends were invited. The wedding-day was settled and the bridesmaids (" play-mates ") selected, also two speeljonkers (play-youths) and two spellmeisjes (play-girls) appointed. Their duty was to decorate the house, to regulate the various entertain- ments, and to serve the bride and bridegroom. They had a bride's servant under them, who remained near the bride during these " brides-days " and on the wedding-day. She could always depend on a good present from the bride. The duties of the brides- maids were numerous. Some of them introduced the guests, while others arranged the seating of the guests at the table and showed them their places. It was their duty to be merry and entertaining, and make everybody else gay and light-hearted. The playmates also decorated the bridegroom's pipe with garlands
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and ribbons. This was so highly prized that it was kept in the china or curio cabinet after the wedding, and very often reappeared at the silver-wedding.
Another duty was to arrange the bride's basket, filling it with green garlands and flowers with the initials, or monogram, or names of the happy couple picked out in pretty blossoms. In another basket, not less richly decorated, were laid the lace collar and cuffs, the bride's presents to the bridegroom. Both baskets were exhibited beside the bride's throne until the wedding-day. From the flower basket the bride's attendants, both men and maidens, scattered flowers and palms upon the path of the couple on their walk to the registry and the church.
On their return from the Court House, the couple, preceded by the playmates, all dressed in their best, the men wearing the colors of the bride and the girls the colors of the groom, were received in state at the house of the bridegroom, and the bride was introduced to his family. In a shower of flowers, maiden-palm, and garlands, the young couple was led into the "state" room, where, after the presentation of the guests by the playmates, they were presented with a silver bowl and spoon containing the " Bride's Tears " and the " Show " pipe. The "Bride's Tears " was the well- known Hippocras, and also called " spiced " or " su- gared " wine. Later, Hippocras was replaced by other wines, or by red wine and sugar, or brandy and sugar and raisins; sometimes, indeed, gin and syrup was decanted, called klongel-eul, or girls' beer. Besides the " Bride's Tears," sugared peas or sugared almonds called "bride's sugar " were served, which, like the Hippocras, was made by the apothecary. With the poorer classes, bemste, beguine, Deventer cake and other sweetmeats were served, and while the silver plat-
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ter passed amongst the playmates, the finely decorated green-painted " Sleigh coach," filled with small bottles of wine in straw covers, and boxes filled with candy tied with silver and gold ribbons, passed through the streets drawn by a gayly decked horse, and the Hippocras and sweets were sent to the houses of the friends and acquaintances. In the evening the invited guests met at a more or less elaborate meal called the " com- missary's " meal; but this was more solemn than gay. It often ended without music or dance, and sometimes one of the guests would read aloud from De Trou- wring (The Wedding-ring) of Jacob Cats.
It was not considered good form to go to church when the banns were published.
The days preceding the wedding were spent in festivity and general merrymaking. The bride and bridegroom were both busy making arrangements for the banquet and in the preparation of their costumes, especially with people of moderate means, who, as a rule, superintended everything themselves. The play- mates in this case came only "to make the green." The bride and bridegroom also wrote the announce- ments of the wedding themselves on perfumed gilt- edged paper, and these were sent out after the reading of the first banns. De Vry gives a lively picture of the bustle and preparations :
The bride's dress has to be made, and the materials, laces, linings, trimmings, gimps and cords, to be pur- chased. Who knows the end of all this business. One material is too light another too dark, the third too dull, without gloss, and the worst is that while they are delib- erating, examining and ordering, you are constantly in- terrupted by trade solicitors who are eternally knocking at the door, this one to ask to supply the banquet ; a second, the decorations; a third, to do the cooking; the next to
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make the pastry, who all want to ask the bride for her custom, and do not give her any time to attend to her other work. "Oh," she says, "the time is so terribly short. And the seamstresses, the lace-mounter, and the ironer have to be ordered, for Jeanie has promised to send the linen brought home, and Antoinette, the laces, and neither has come. Now run, boys and girls, remember that a brave bride's gift will pay you for your work."
Meanwhile the bridegroom is running all over town to engage humorists to entertain the wedding guests. He is also ordering Rhine, French and Spanish wines, to treat those who come to congratulate bride and bridegroom.
The homes of both bride and groom were beautifully decorated during the period between the betrothal and the wedding ceremonies, and nearly every day a dinner was given in honor of the couple by relatives or friends. These " bann dinners " were returned by the bride and groom's "ante-nuptial dinner." The bride also re- ceived in state during these days. (See illustration facing page 224. ) The walls were draped with tapes- try or other hangings, and hung with garlands. Among the flowers, palms, and wreaths, two seats were placed underneath a large crown of flowers, trimmed with colored ribbons and gold and silver braid. In the centre of the crown were two silver hands clasped, and two silver hearts pierced by an arrow. Some- times the initials of the couple were also formed of flowers. Under this dais, on a kind of throne, bride and groom, surrounded by the playmates, awaited the arrival of the relations and friends who came with congratulations and wedding-gifts. In front of the throne in a circle were placed rows of chairs, and in the centre was a table covered with rich and well- filled dishes of silver and crystal, beakers and flagons, drinking horns and cups, decorated with leaves and
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ribbons, festoons and garlands. The playmates some- times handed round small cakes with comfits.
The bride had not worn her crown as yet, but her hair was finely braided and scented. On her neck sparkled a diamond brooch, and diamond or pearl earrings in her ears. On her costly stomacher glittered a "pendant," and around her neck hung necklaces of gold or pearls. The bride was not dressed in her " wedding," but in her "bride's," dress. The very wealthy had more than one. Some in the bride's days changed their dress two or three times a day. Some- times these bride's dresses were not less costly than that worn on the wedding-day. On her finger the bride wore the " hoop," and on her wrists gold brace- lets set with pearls, or silver bracelets with jewels. The groom was no less richly dressed.
Presents were universally given. Nobody congrat- ulated the couple without an offering; and those who could not present a piece of furniture, jewelry, china, or handsome gift, left a kitchen utensil or small piece of money. The lovers exchanged jewels or gold, or, if they could afford nothing better, a small article of trifling value. However poor the bride and groom might be, crowns and green were never lacking, even if the neighbors had to defray the cost.
At Fort Orange, in 1658, Abraham Vosborch's wife sued Annetie Lievens, wife of Goosen Gerritsen, for payment of some " coronets," which she loaned de- fendant. Annetie pleaded that she and Maria Wessel- sen being bridesmaids had borrowed the articles in common. They were ordered to pay the bill between them. Annetie Lievens also figured in court again soon after her wedding, for, on July 19, 1657, her husband, Goosen, sued Jurriaen Jansen for having circulated a report that he was betrothed to Annetie
--
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Lievens. Jansen acknowledged having circulated the false report, but pleaded that he had been instigated to it by Cornelis Teunissen. On confessing the false- hood of his statement, and asking pardon of bride- groom, God, and the court, Jurriaen was pardoned.
Seated before her large mirror and toilet-table, on which stood one of those small cabinets of costly wood, inlaid with ivory, with numerous small drawers for powder, perfume, patches, hairpins, tweezers, small scissors, brushes, and everything belonging to the toilette of a lady of the period, sat the bride. On the table were also the standing mirror and the gilded leather comb and brush case. The costly wedding- basket had been unpacked, and the rich garments were lying about. Near the bride stood the bridesmaids, superintending the dressing of her hair. Notwithstand- ing the sermons against curling hair and powdered and false wigs, lion's manes, loose braids and ribbons, hanging locks, corals and pearls, much attention was paid to the coiffure. The head-dressing finished, the magnificent dress, of the French style, was put on. The bride's dress was as costly as her parents could afford. In Holland, the richest brides wore bodices and skirts of heavy Lyons silk, white or violet velvet, or cloth of silver or of gold, sometimes costing from $40 to $80 a yard, trimmed with gold or silver fringe and glittering with pearl or diamond buttons. Her stomacher was covered with magnificent lace, and her cuffs and ruff were also of lace. The latter sometimes contained as much as sixty or eighty yards of deftly plaited cambric edged with lace. Instead of a ruff the bride sometimes wore a turned down French collar cut in points and which fell halfway down her back. A pearl necklace with jeweled clasp was placed over this. Her shoes were of velvet or satin; her stockings
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blue, yellow, or cardinal; her gloves perfumed; and her fan of mother-of-pearl handle was painted with exotic flowers and birds. When her hair was dressed and perfumed, the veil was arranged and fastened with jeweled or golden pins.
A bride of less wealth and fashion wore a Lyons silk; but although she preferred white as a rule, black was sometimes chosen, and this was put away after the wedding, and used for mourning when occasion demanded. Brides of humbler station in life dispensed with the fan and perfumed gloves, but never with the veil, unless they were of the very poorest. With the ordinary citizens this was of cambric, embroidered with acorns in the corners, and plaited around the face. The rich bride always wore a lace veil fixed to the head- dress above the forehead, and descending in wide folds to her feet. Sometimes she was hidden in a cloud of lace. The veil was generally worn only when the wed- ding was " consecrated "; but sometimes the bride wore it all day; this was called, "standing in the white." " They rig themselves up nicely," writes J. Buck- man, an Englishman; "they load their fingers with such heavy gold and silver rings that they crack. They rather go hungry, so that they be able to cover them- selves with silver ornaments on both sides of their bodies, until they wabble like a fatted goose. The clothes they wear, are that wide, that their fat stomachs can hardly be noticed. And their particular pride is in their hands that they are whiter than they ought to be."
The women of New Netherland were in no wise behind their sisters in Fatherland of the same station in life in their love of jewelry and rich clothes; and the wills and inventories of the period show that the mothers were able to start their daughters in life some-
1
From an old print
A DUTCH BRIDE IN STATE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
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times with considerable luxury in this respect. Gold jewelry, enamels, pearls, emeralds, and diamonds were by no means rare in New Amsterdam. The patroons, too, were opulent and elegant in their tastes. William Van Rensselaer was a pearl merchant, and it was to him that the Earl of Bellomont applied when he wanted to satisfy his youthful bride's craving for a pearl neck- lace. If any independent evidence were necessary to prove the existence here of the display of wealth and taste in the latest style of the day, we have only to turn to Madam Knight, who tells us :
The English go very fashionable in their dress. But the Dutch, especially the middling sort, differ from our women, in their habitt go loose, were French muches wch are like a Capp and a head band in one, leaving their ears bare, which are set out with Jewells of a large size and many in number. And their fingers hoop't with Rings, some with large stones in them of many Coullers as were their pendants in their ears, which you should see very old women wear as well as young.
While the bride was being dressed at her home, the groom's best man was busy helping him dress at the home of one of his bosom friends. The groom's clothes were also costly and in keeping with his social position. Men of modest means wore waistcoat and trousers of cloth, wool, or serge, and the favorite costume was a heavy durable " Leyden cloth." Some- times the wedding costume was handed down from generation to generation, and worn by children and grandchildren, the cut being altered to suit the fashion. A handsome black suit is found in the wardrobe of nearly every Dutch gentleman in New Amsterdam. What the average bridegroom received from his parents, we learn from a will dated 1698, in which
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Catharine Blanck, widow of Jurian Blanck, left to her son, Symon Barentsen, 30 shillings in full for all pretence he may have to my estate, real and personal; he having been sufficiently provided for during the life of my hus- band Jurian Blanck; having received one half of a sloop, a wedding dinner, two wedding suits, a cloak, a fine red broadcloth waistcoat with silver thread buttons, one half dozen fine holland shirts, one half-dozen striped Calico neck cloths, an ozenbrig feather bed, two new blankets and had his diett for two years after he was married.
The toilets of both bride and groom being completed, the bride, preceded by her playmates, enters the recep- tion-room, where nothing has been changed since the day of the formal betrothal. She takes her place on the throne, and is soon joined by the bridegroom. Now the doors are opened to admit the guests, who enter to see the bouquet given to the bride and the crown put on her head. The bouquet was of real or artificial flowers ornamented with a Cupid; the cipher of the betrothed ; or two pierced hearts or clasped hands made of silver or gold. It was pinned by the groom on the bride's bosom. The little crowns in the bouquet differed according to the rank of the groom. Citizens made crowns of palm, majoram, and flowers, while more important people wrapped a ribbon with jewels and pearls around it or placed a velvet band studded with diamonds around the stem. After this ceremony the guests attacked the pyramids of food on the table and drank "the Bride's Tears " with many blessings. A couple of boys then took up the bride's costly train, and threw the veil over her face; and now upon a path strewn with roses and through a decorated arch the couple went to the church. There everything had been prepared beforehand; a handsome carpet was laid in the nave, where two armchairs wreathed in
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green and two footstools were placed for the bride and groom. Behind these were placed the chairs for the family and playmates. Sometimes the choir arch was also wreathed in green, or an arch of honor was built. Marrying with closed doors was not known then. The ceremony was performed in public, and began by the reading of parts of the epistles of Saint Paul, with psalm-singing between the lessons. While this was going on, the bridal party entered the church, the bride and bridegroom being solemnly escorted by their parents. Then the pastor entered the pulpit, read the formulas of marriage, took the oath, and ordered the singing of a psalm, and also a collection to be taken up for the poor, after which the company, preceded by the bride and groom, left the church, their pathway being strewn with palms and flowers, and proceeded to the bride's home.
The wedding-procession here was not always devoid of excitement. On one occasion at least, a bride was insulted as she passed on her way leaning on the arm of her newly made husband, who promptly sued the offender. We learn, in June, 1658, that Philip Schoof brought a case against Anneke Sibouts, who insulted his bride, Jannetje Teunis Kray, as they were coming out of church from the wedding. She said the bride did not deserve to have palms strewed before her. Very rarely, indeed, was a wedding performed at the City Hall or Court House. On the return of the wedding-party to the bride's home, a collation was served in the reception-room. This consisted of sugared cake, marchpane, sugared almonds, chapter- sticks, sugared beans, Hippocras, and many kinds of sweet cordials. Sometimes, immediately after the ceremony, the guests would all view the sleeping-room of the young couple. From there they went to the
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wedding-dinner. Unless this was given in the recep- tion-room, an adjoining room was also decorated with green, with garlands of maiden-palm and flowers. The fine porcelains on the mantel were filled with flowers, and everything, even the buffet, was wreathed in green and decorated with ribbons. The buffet was resplendent with fine porcelain, family silver, and some- times a gold table service, beakers, glasses, etc., which were beautifully engraved and many of which had belonged to grandparents and great-grandparents. Generally the crown descended from the ceiling over the heads of the young couple, in the centre of which emblems of love were hung. Around the table were placed chairs, with embroidered cushions for the guests, the number of which was decided by permit, and in Amsterdam was not allowed to exceed fifty; but this was not always respected, for a rich entertainer would rather pay the heavy fines than that anybody should be absent - heedless of pulpit denunciations. The tables were horseshoe shaped. At the head sat the bride and groom, and the other guests according to their relationship, rank, and age. This placing of guests was of supreme importance and those who felt themselves not sufficiently honored often left the table ; thus serious family quarrels often had their origin from the breach of etiquette. The playmates served the happy couple. According to some rules, the dinner had to consist of two courses : a " fore " and " dinner " course. The first consisted of fifty or more different dishes served on large round or oval dishes of pewter, porcelain, and earthenware for meats, and deep large plates for soup; and these dishes and plates stood be- tween garlands, flowers, and palms, which so com- pletely covered the table that the costly damask table- cloth could hardly be seen. Even the plates were
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