Advice on Obtaining the Marriage License

Here is some interesting advice for people seeking a marriage license from the clerk's office in Worcester, Massachusetts circa 1889:

"The applicant for a license is advised to put on a bold face and at once make known his errand to the young lady assistant, to whom he is sure to be referred if he applies to the city clerk, for the latter rarely fills out the blanks. If the candidate for matrimonial honors feels himself too bashful to undergo the ordeal he will be furnished with a form which he can fill out himself.

"As some of the newspapers publish intentions to marriage daily, it will be well for those who do not desire publicity before hand, not to procure the license until the day the ceremony is to be performed."

Weep for Me, Get the House; Move On, Then Get Out

Sometimes we can really get to know someone by what they write. Last wills and testaments are a good example. The following is an exerpt from a will written by one Richard Tarr in 1729:

I give bequeath unto Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife all my whole Estate in Houses Land Chattle and moveables of all sorts whether in Gloucester or elsewhere In possession or Reversion with all my Rights in any undivided lands in Gloucester aforesd or Elsewhere during the whole term that she shall remain my widow freely and absolutely to be disposed of by her as she shall see fit….But in case she shall Cause to marry again the Whole of my Estate reall and personal I do give and bequeath unto my Children to be equally divided among them; and that immediately upon her marriage Excepting such part of my Estate as the law will give her.

In other words, "Be happy after I am gone...but don't get too happy."