While looking around online, I began searching records which are contained in the Massachussetts Archives concerning all manner of issues. I spent quite a good deal of time reading over them. Well, what I could read of them, you cannot read the entire record only the general descriptions. One of the things I found really interesting were the records concerning adultery. I've read many history books, and of course read The Scarlet Letter, so I knew adultery was frowned upon by society back then. But to actually read the records gives it a whole new meaning. This was indeed considered a very serious offense in early Massachussetts. Records indicate women and men could be imprisoned, banished from their communities, lose custody of their children, given fines, etc. Divorce records which cited adultery often accused the spouse of having an illegitimate child as well.
For instance in 1675:
ATTESTED COPY OF THE SENTENCE PASSED BY THE COURT ON MARY WHARTON FOR COMMITTING ADULTERY. SHE WAS TO BE WHIPPED WHILE FOLLOWING A CART, PAY A FINE, AND BE IMPRISONED IN THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
In 1742:
COPY OF THE COURT ORDER SENTENCING ABIGAIL GELPIN (WIFE OF THOMAS) AND JOHN RUSSELL TO BE WHIPPED TWENTY STRIPES AT THE PUBLIC WHIPPING POST FOR THE CRIME OF ADULTERY. INCLUDED IS MENTION OF THE WITNESSES WHO ATTESTED TO THE CRIME.
I imagine these people lived with the stigma the community attached to being an adulterer for the rest of their lives also. Their illegitimate, or bastard, children probably suffered greatly. I'm wondering how much of this stigma still carried over in Lizzie's time? No, I am not thinking Wiliam S. Borden or Arnold Brown here. Cross my heart and hope to die.
"He who cannot put his thoughts on ice should not enter into the head of dispute." - Friedrich Nietzsche
