If I recall correctly, the "modern" tradition of wedding rings on the
left hand actually dates back to the Middle Ages at least, since people
at the time believed the heart was the "seat" of feelings, and that the
ring was connected to the heart from the hand. There are a number of
18th-century Virginia wills which mentioned rings. The 1709 will or
inventory of John Coustanceau, Northumberland Co., Va. Mentioned a
diamond ring while the 1714 will of Andrew Monroe mentioned a gold ring
with an inscribed "posie." 


-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 10:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: wedding rings

One of our docents asked an interesting question:
  In general, when did the modern practice* of wedding rings (left hand,
engagement and wedding bands, etc) develop?
  Specifically, were wedding rings used in late 18th-century Virginia?
If so, how common were they?

Jon Kukla

*20th-c skillful marketing practices by DeBoors in South Africa
certainly helped create expectations and a market.....



Dr. Jon Kukla, Executive Vice-President
Red Hill - The Patrick Henry National Memorial 1250 Red Hill Road
Brookneal, Virginia 24528 www.redhill.org Phone 434-376-2044 or
800-514-7463

Fax 434-376-2647

- M. Lynn Davis, Office Manager
- Karen Gorham-Smith, Associate Curator
- Edith Poindexter, Curator

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