Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
And such harmony exists among these, that they are never at variance. Minors do not marry, except with the advice of their parents or friends. Widowers and widows follow their own inclinations: regard is only had to each other's condition and children. The bridegroom must make a present to the bride. On the slightest misunderstanding, the wife, paid right off, is put by the husband out of doors, and she marries another. Thus some of them have a fresh wife every year. In cases of separation, the children follow the mother, after whom the offspring also are called. They consider adultery, especially if nie committed in the open air, to be sinful. Fornica-. ee tion, however, is lawful for young women, provided commendable. Q it be for money. Wherefore, no person objects to marry such persons. Yea, the married boast of the numbers they slept with whilst unmarried. Whoever is inclined to marry, covers the whole body, and thus bemopped sits on the Bi soon ote way side. A passer by ere long releases 'the pig pregnant women, '2 the poke.' When pregnant, the woman takes great heed, in order that the embryo may not be injured. On the approach of the birth of the child, which she precisely knows, she retires to,a lonely place in the woods, even in the severest cold, erects a hut of mats, separates the child with- » out any one's aid, washes it in the water, and wraps it around with matting. Ina few days she turns homeward, and brings