A further point of info, 1885-86 was when 'moral outrage' in England as well 
as the US concerned abuse, neglect and transportation of young girls for 
sexual purposes, that led to statuatory reforms in both countries.  'Age of 
consent' in America referred at that time only to the legal age of 'girls.' 
"American reformers were shocked to discover that the laws of most states 
set the age of consent at ten or twelve."  The age of female consent was 
raised by all states during the ensuing years of reform into the 1900's.
Re: http://womhist.binghamton.edu/aoc/doclist.htm ;
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/7023/Consent.html

In prior times the US economy was predominantly agricultural (beyond the 
eastern coast) where family-owned farms needed a sizeable workforce in the 
form of large families.  It was not uncommon from my history studies and 
genealogical research for females to marry and begin birthing at young 
teenage years (14-16), sometimes with much older husbands.  I suspect the 
stress of birthing could present greater health issues in women's later 
years, and with limited medical care, that also resulted in their earlier 
marital age.

Of possible interest is that the state of Virginia's age of consent (M&F) is 
still only 15, youngest in the nation by one year (presently being 
reviewed.)
Re:  http://www.moraloutrage.net/staticpages/index.php?page=states

Laws amongst the states have progressively become greater in number and 
complexity to deal with subject matters of today's society.  Moral outrage 
exists yet today concerning the welfare and protection of our nation's 
children, with some states and their courts doing much more than others in 
this regard.

Neil McDonald

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Henry Wiencek" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 5:12 PM
Subject: [VA-HIST] Age of consent


Purely as a point of information, since the question was raised, in 25
states in 1886 the age of consent was 10 (ten).  In Delaware it was 7.  Many
states raised the age in the next decade.  Several went to 18, 16, or 14.
Delaware didn't change.  In some states lawmakers came under pressure to
restore the lower ages. My source for this is a table in "Purity Crusade" by
David J. Pivar, pp. 141 ff.

Henry Wiencek