The Rev. Samuel Peters, in his “General History of Connecticut” (London, 1781), enters largely into the custom of bundling as practised there. He says: “Notwithstanding the great modesty of the females is such, that it would be accounted the greatest rudeness for a gentleman to speak before a lady of a garter or leg, yet it is thought but a piece of civility to ask her to bundle.” The learned and pious historian endeavors to prove that bundling was not only a Christian custom, but a very polite and prudent one.
The Rev. Andrew Barnaby, who travelled in New England in 1759-60, notices this custom, which then prevailed. He thinks that though it may at first “appear to be the effects of grossness of character, it will, upon deeper research, be found to proceed from simplicity and innocence.” (Travels, p. 144.)
Van Corlear stopped occasionally in the villages to eat pumpkin-pies, dance at country frolics, and bundle with the Yankee lasses. (Knickerbocker, New York.)
Bundling is said to be practised in Wales. Whatever may have been the custom in former times, I do not think bundling is now practised anywhere in the United States.
Mr. Masson describes a similar custom in Central Asia: “Many of the Afghan tribes have a custom in wooing similar to what in Wales is known as bundling-up, and which they term namzat bazé. The lover presents himself at the house of his betrothed, with a suitable gift, and in return is allowed to pass the night with her, on the understanding that innocent endearments are not to be exceeded.” (Journeys in Belochistan, Afghanistan, &c., vol. iii. p. 287.)—Bartlett, Dictionary of Americanisms.
[19] Knickerbocker’s History of New York, book iii. chaps. vi., vii.
[20] Elliott’s The New England History, vol. i. p. 471.
[21] Letters of Mrs. Adams, (1848,) p. 161.
[22] History, pp. 384-386.
[23] Braintree Records, pp. 480, 499, 500, 523.