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Today we're in the "Becoming Virginians" gallery of "The Story of Virginia" exhibition.
This engagement ring was given to Sarah Waters by her fiancé, David Meade II, on May 12, 1768.
Although small, this ring symbolizes the experiences of a woman who wore it
through her courtship, marriage, and perhaps widowhood.
Colonial courtship began young for both men and women, more often for the woman,
and courtship involved the entire community, from relatives to friends, who became
advisers, intermediaries, and advocates for the suitor and lady.
Because all of it was kept public, what better way to get acquainted
and show your social graces than by dancing?
Courting gave the woman power to choose by whom she wanted to be courted,
but once the marriage was proposed, it became a legal matter outside her control.
At first colonial weddings were performed with great simplicity,
but eventually the traditional ceremony of today took hold to the populace.
A wealthier family like Sarah Waters' would have prepared a trousseau for the new bride.
A trousseau is an outfit of clothing or household linen that a bride accumulates
in anticipation of marriage.
As soon as they say "I do," husband and wife are one, and under common law doctrine
are known as "feme coverts."
This means that the woman has no legal existence of her own.
In an advice book from 1716, a mother counsels her daughter
in the union between husband and wife:
"You are, therefore, to make your best of what is settled by law and custom, and not vainly
imagine that I will be changed for your sake."
Unfortunately, life wasn't eternal in colonial Virginia.
A widow was entitled to a minimum of 1/3 of her husband's property.
This was known as the widow's "dower right."
The widow's status became known as "feme sole," so she was allowed to own property,
enter into contracts, and execute a will.
The power the woman had during her courtship appears again during her widowhood--
everything comes full circle, just like the ring on her finger.