During the 19th century wife-selling was seen by some as a mutually agreeable way of dissolving a dysfunctional marriage, whilst for others it was a social disgrace.
The first article of a man selling his wife is a true ‘Mercuriosity’ because it involves a certain Thomas Hardy who buys a wife from Thomas Hand in 1786. Thomas Hardy, the author, had clearly been doing research on wife-selling because in The Mayor of Casterbridge he writes of Susan Henchard, “But she was by no means the first or last peasant woman who had religiously adhered to her purchaser, as too many rural records show.” Did the author ever learn that his namesake bought a wife in this way ?
“On Monday the 12th instant Thomas Hand, a taylor at Spalding in this county, sitting at the pied calf alehouse, expressed some words to the company, of an intention he had to sell his wife, if the man would buy her, and without any persuasion went out, and returned with Thomas Hardy, a cordwainer of the same place. They both sat down very friendly, and drank a pint or two of ale, when they began to talk of a bargain, and soon agreed for Elizabeth the wife of Hand, to Hardy, for five shillings, to be delivered in a halter in the presence of the company, provided the contract met the approbation of the wife. Hardy, the purchaser went out, and soon returned with the woman, and the three parties retired into a private room and conversed upon the subject, and very composedly agreed in opinions. Three witnesses were called in, a halter sent for , which Hand took and put upon her, and delivered her to Hardy, pronouncing the following words: “I now my dear, deliver you into the hands of Thomas Hardy, praying the blessings of God to attend you both, with all happiness.”–Hardy replied, “I now my dear, receive you with the blessings of God, praying for happiness,” &c. took off the halter, saying,”Come my dear, I receive you with a kiss; and you, Hand, shall have a kiss at parting;” which was done with great fortitude on all sides: Hand and Hardy both desired a written memorandum of the agreement, which was given to each, and signed by three witnesses. A dinner was ordered by the two parties for nine persons then present, and the lady dined at the head of the table with great composure, between Buckram and Wax. After dinner the lady retired, and the remainder of the day was spent with harmony and mirth, agreeable to all parties.”
Stamford Mercury, 23rd June, 1786.
The article below takes place in the George Inn, Stamford in 1829. Thomas Hardy’s notebook* confirms that this article inspired his account of the sale of Susan Henchard to Richard Newson in The Mayor of Casterbridge.
“The disgraceful scene of a fellow’s selling and delivering his wife was exhibited in Stamford market on Friday last. The price obtained was four shillings! Robert Phillips, under-ostler at the George inn, was the seller, and a man named Wm. Brown, a labourer, of Oakham, was the purchaser. They were permitted to retire from the market-hill without molestation!”
*”Sale of wife – at Stamford – fellow sold her “for
2/- wet and 2/- dry – delivered her to the
purchaser on the market hill in a halter after wh.
the trio retired to a p. House to quaff the heavy
wet.”
Stamford Mercury, 25th September, 1829.