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Subject: [NYSUFFOL] 1871 Middle Island
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 10:34:59 EDT
Brooklyn Daily Standard Union
February 2, 1871
SENSATION at Middle Island
Middle Island, a small hamlet and great scrub oak district in the
eastern part of Long Island, has recently had a genuine sensation.
Although the inhabitants of this village are few and far between, there
is an important and growing interest felt in the rights of woman by the
fair sex. Not a few of the men also adhere to the doctrines promulgated
by the strong-minded. Anything performed by the stronger sex they claim
can be done equally well by woman. A few days since a gushing maiden of
this sect aged about forty and about as prepossessing as the worn-out
disciples of this doctrine of equal age, undertook the job of uniting in
marriage two youths of Middle Island. The ceremony was performed before
a large concourse of people. Everything seemed propitious. The knot was
tied as well and why not as secure. The bride was satisfied, and what
objection should the bridegroom have. In about a week, things began to
look “shaky.” People talked, the local ministers preached on the
subject, the magistrates threatened and the entire county was aroused.
In passing the house, travellers shook their heads and finally a
minister was called in to do the marriage over again. Not as the bride
says, to make it more secure, but to allay public opinion.
These transcriptions are available on the Brooklyn Info Page
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~blkyn/Bklyn.Info.Page.html
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