Could anyone tell me what 'Matrimonially contracted' means ?
They had told the minister and/or session clerk that they intended to marry, and had paid some money that would be forfeited if the marriage didn't actually take place.
Some better-off families actually drew up formal marriage contracts that specified, usually, how the wife's dowry was to be safeguarded, how she and any children were to be provided for if he died, and sometimes what was to be done with any assets if there were no children of the marriage.
