Note 1356 — Chapter XVI · A CENTURY AND A QUARTER OF MARRIAGE LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1776-1903

Compare the law of 1794: Acts of Gen. Assem. (1794), 331, 332; Rev. Code (1819), 393-403. But in 1803 the justice is no longer required to sign and direct the license: Acts of Gen. Assem., 372 (act to take effect May 1, 1797). In 1832 the consent of the mother is declared sufficient to authorize license to minors when there is no father or guardian: Acts (1831-32), 27; and in 1848 so much of the law of 1832 was repealed "as requires the consent of the mother of any infant desiring a marriage license to be certified under seal;" and henceforth in all cases the written consent of parents may be attested by one witness. When for any reason the clerk's office is vacant license may be issued by the "senior justice of the peace."—Acts of the Assem. (1847-48), 165.