A "Smock" Wedding
James Bailey’s Second Marriage
Was Example of “Smock” Wedding
James Bailey (1680 – 1769) married (1) Hannah Wood on July 14, 1707. She was born January 20, 1681 and died March 3, 1733.
On November 22 of that year, he married (2) Mrs. Mary Bacon. This second marriage is cited by Hollis Bailey (editor) in Bailey Genealogy (page 8), as an instance in New England of what were known as “smock marriages.”
Smock marriages were weddings where the bride appeared dressed in a white sheet or chemise furnished by the bridegroom. The reason for such garb was the belief that if a man married a woman who was in debt he could be held liable for her indebtedness if he received any property with her. Eventually all immodesty was avoided by the bridegroom’s furnishing to the bride all the clothing worn at the wedding, retaining title to the same himself. This was done in the presence of witnesses that he might prove the fact in case he was sued for any debts she might have contracted.
The following is a copy of the written record (page 179 in Bradford(Massachusetts) Vital Records) of this marriage.
Bradford, December ye 24, 1733.
This may certify whomsoever it may concern that James Bailey of Bradford, who was married to the widow Mary Bacon November 22 last, passed by me, ye subscriber, and declared that he took the said person without anything of Estate, and that Lydia, the wife of Eliazer Burbank, & Mary, the wife of Thomas Stickney, & Margaret, the wife of Caleb Burbank, all of Bradford, were witnesses that the Cloathes she then had on ware of his providing and bestowing up on her.
William Balch,
Minister of yet Gospell