Bundling: Its Origin, Progress, and Decline in America, by Henry Reed Stiles, M.D. (HC, 1937 edition of book first published in the 1860s, $3)
The definition of bundling?- " A man and a woman lying on the same bed with their clothes on; an expedient practiced in America on a scarcity of beds, where, on such occasions, husbands and parents frequently permitted travelers to bundle with their wives and daughters." (Oh, my...)
First off, let me set something straight- Bundling was not only done in Connecticut. The author, Dr. Siles, had written that it was, but after some research, realized he was incorrect. Also incorrect was his earlier conclusion that bundling "sapped the fountain of morality and tarnished the escutcheons of thousands of families." Dr Siles begs everyone's pardon, and reminds us that he himself is descended from several generations of Connecticutians.
There are two kinds of bundling- one is between strangers, and the other is between lovers. Bundling existed in England at the time of Caesar, who thought poorly both of the practise and people who practised it. From England the custom spread to other places in Europe, especially to Holland, from where it spread to New Amsterdam (NYC) and from there to the rest of New England. The author wants to make it perfectly clear than the custom was "inherited" from the Dutch. City people claimed country people who allowed bundling were wicked and un-Christian. Country people countered "that city folks send more children into the country without fathers or mothers to own them, than are born among us." (So there, you city snobs!)
Bundling mostly was done by poor, country folk. The poor usually lived in one room homes, without enough beds, and without enough firewood. What were you to do when a stranger stopped by? Or when your daughter's suitor came? After a suitor had walked miles to get there, how could you then turn him out into the cold and dark! Besides, you'd be sleeping right next to them, so what could possibly happen?
The practice started to die out after the Revolution, but not until after a war of ballads. The first one, "A New Bundling Song", was a "reproof to those young Country Women, who follow that reproachful Practice." After that came "A New Song" in favor of bundling. The anti-bundling song writers came back with both the sedate, "A Poem Against Bundling", and its more radical sister, "The Whore on the Snow Crust."
So now you know. The English bundled at the time of Roman occupation, but it was the Dutch that brought it to the new world. It was done only in the country, but not just in Connecticut. Bundling rarely led to couples being unchaste. Indeed, more children were born out of wedlock in the cities than in all rural areas put together.
If you want to study this book's copious footnotes, or ponder its various ballads, then be sure to check our new non-fiction table for this gem. (L-AmH)
