I had the impression that people married at different ages in the colonial era according to their social class. That is young woman from fairly prosperous, settled families mainly along the East Coast tended to marry later than did girls of farming families moving farther inland along the frontier. Of course, during the Revolution in the areas where there was the most fighting or where there were heavy recruitments, marriages were either postponed or occurred suddenly.
I wish there were books about Felicity's life in Williamsburg during the Revolution. That area was central to so much of what happened. An older Felicity involved with events at Yorktown would make an amazing story.
Don't forget - it's only in recent years that people aged 30 and up started to look younger. Look at old photographs or paintings - they seemed more matured than an equivalently aged person today.
For example Empress Elisabeth of Austria, she didn't allow photographs anymore as of the age of 30 and the very last portrayed painted was at the age of 50 - and the painter had to paint her as if she was much much younger.
Oops, I didnt catch that about 'Elizabeth' being blonde! Either way, I really hope AG wouldnt change such a basic aspect of a character. I know people say they changed Nellie but it wasnt that much. In the earlier books her hair was a very light brown or dirty blonde so they just changed it to strawberry blonde to appear more Irish. Dark brown to blonde is far more drastic. Not only that, but Elizabeth just has more of the personality you stereotype with brunettes; quiet, shy, level headed, etc. Whereas Felicity's red hair suits her spirited personality. And Grapedy I thought the same thing about her mother's age, I always figured Mrs. Merriman to only be in her mid-late twenties, however I didnt know that about the colonial men, thanks for the interesting history bit! [img]smile.gif[/img] I just assumed him to be the same age. Guess that adds even more possibility to Lissie marrying Ben right? [img]wink.gif[/img] Anywho, as much as I like Marcia Gay Harden I do think she's a bit old but oh well, she'll still be good. Its the dad Im concerned about, I dont care for that actor at all and he seems waaay to old (to be her father, not in general) since he's in his fifties. This especially bothers me because out of all the stories, Mr. Merriman is one my favorite dads. (Addy's poppa is my absolute favorite, he's so sweet and proud of his daughter) Anyway, those are just my thougths [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry, but this one really makes me laugh! Obviously, you don't know my daughter, or my best friend! The two of them can outtalk anyone on theplanet, and are definitely NOT shy! [img]wink.gif[/img]Not only that, but Elizabeth just has more of the personality you stereotype with brunettes; quiet, shy, level headed, etc.
Laurie
The age of women marrying did vary some according to area and social status, but not by more than a couple of years, 4 at the most. Infant mortality rate was incredibly high, and it's very possible that the Merrimans lost a couple of children before having Felicity, and lost more between Lissie and Nan, and then Nan and William. The sooner one married, the better their chances of at least one child outliving them. Average life expectancy was 45-50, and it didn't really improve any until AFTER the Civil War.
That age range for a girl to get married, 14-19, was the social norm for over 200 years. It only really ended when the women's rights movements caught on so well in the 1870's-1880's. 2 of my 4 great-grandmothers were married at the age of 15, and one of my great-aunts got married at 14. This was between WW1 and the Depression too in rural Louisiana and Mississippi, so the practice continued in some areas even up through WW2.
A 12 year old girl of 1800 had the same maturity level of a 25 year old woman today. Ben at 16 in the books would be about as mature as a 30 year old man of today.
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ May 11, 2005 07:13 PM: Message edited by: Grapedy1982 ]</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry, but this one really makes me laugh! Obviously, you don't know my daughter, or my best friend! The two of them can outtalk anyone on theplanet, and are definitely NOT shy! [img]wink.gif[/img]Originally posted by dianasmama:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Not only that, but Elizabeth just has more of the personality you stereotype with brunettes; quiet, shy, level headed, etc.
Laurie</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL, Oh I know its not always true! Its just the stereotype and since Lissie fits the redhead sterotype so well, I think they should keep Elizabeth's brown hair. Their opposing personalities balance each other out.
[img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]
Wiat! I'm not brunette...I'm blonde....adn I'm shy and quiet...hehehehehehe. [img]wink.gif[/img]
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