Note 384 — Chapter XII · OBLIGATORY CIVIL MARRIAGE IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES

Mass. Col. Rec., IV, Part I, 407. In October, 1647, Captain Wm. Hathorne was commissioned to marry Thomas Jeggles and Abigail Sharpe, in the absence of "ye major Gennerall."—Mass. Col. Rec., III, 115. The MSS. Early Court Files of Suffolk, No. 221, under date of Nov. 13, 1655, contains the following: "Order by the deputies in General Court for appointing Captain Hathorne to join together in marriage at Salem such as desire it, there not being in or near there any Magistrate. The Magistrates judge meet that the Deputies of Salem be authorized to join in marriage. The Deputies judge meet to leave the choice to the town of Salem."