When I think of scarlett letter as punishments in Colonial New England, I sort of always think 1600s...but I was reading in A History of Matrimonial Institutions in England and United States, and it records a case as late as 1782, one Jerusha Polittle was condemended to wear the scarlett letter A "forever".
It did not mention if this person took any lashes, but in September 26, 1752: Daniel Coooper and Mary Rainer were each given "40 stripes" and made to wear the scarlett letter after being convicted of sharing a bed and having carnal knowldege of each other but married to other persons. Apparently one had to be caught in bed for the statue to really stick, that was considered real proof of adultery.
Adultery was punishable by death but the scarlett letter was devised as a way to give a lasting punishment without death!
Pretty shocking to me, I would never have supposed the practice survived the 1600s.
Married couples were still being given lashes for bearing seven months babies well into the mid 1700s too. Couples who confessed willingly to the court tended to not get lashes, just fines, usually five pounds...yet the practice of bundling was going strong. Pretty whacked way to do things...
It did not mention if this person took any lashes, but in September 26, 1752: Daniel Coooper and Mary Rainer were each given "40 stripes" and made to wear the scarlett letter after being convicted of sharing a bed and having carnal knowldege of each other but married to other persons. Apparently one had to be caught in bed for the statue to really stick, that was considered real proof of adultery.
Adultery was punishable by death but the scarlett letter was devised as a way to give a lasting punishment without death!
Pretty shocking to me, I would never have supposed the practice survived the 1600s.
Married couples were still being given lashes for bearing seven months babies well into the mid 1700s too. Couples who confessed willingly to the court tended to not get lashes, just fines, usually five pounds...yet the practice of bundling was going strong. Pretty whacked way to do things...
