Sadye Rabhan
2015

Quote: 

“For Puritans, marriage was a civil contract, not a religious or sacred union. Although adults strictly supervised a couple’s courting, parents allowed two unusual practices. One was the use of a courting stick, a long tube into which the couple could whisper while the family was in another room. The other was the practice of “bundling”: a young man spent the night in the same bed as his sweetheart, with a large bundling board (shown below) between them. Before marrying, the couple had to allow for Puritan leaders to voice any objections to the marriage at the meeting house. Passing that, the couple would marry in a very simple civil ceremony and share a quiet dinner.”

My Ideas: 

The Puritans are English Protestants. They believe that marriage is a civil contract, not a religious or scared union. The parents of the two couples are strictly watch over the courting process.However the parents are allowed two unusual practices. “One was the use of a courting stick, a long tube into which the couple could whisper while the family was in another room. The other was the practice of “bundling”: a young man spent the night in the same bed as his sweetheart, with a large bundling board (shown below) between them.” The leader of the community has a voice and can object to the marriage. If they couple can pass that they will have a small and simple dinner and ceremony. 

Paraphrase: 

~ Puritans marriage was a civil contract not a sacred or religious union. 

~ Parents strictly supervised courting. 

~ Parents allowed two unusual practices. 

~ Before getting married the Puritan leaders can voice any objections to the marriage at the meeting house.

~ Small ceremony and couple shares small dinner. 

Source: “Daily Life Colonial Courtship.” Hill Crest Web. N.p., n.d. http://www.hillcrestweb.com/USHist/A3A03DBD.pdf