Matrimonial Mail

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Object Matrimony:

The Risky Business of Mail-Order Matchmaking on the Western Frontier

People in the American West have been using the mail-order system to find a spouse since Russell, Majors, and Waddell created the Pony Express. Ads were placed in the newspaper Matrimonial News and interested parties would send a letter to the ad they found most appealing. The following are a few ads from the May 1873 edition of the publication.

“Young lady of good family and education would like to correspond with some gentleman of means, one who would be willing to take her without a dollar, as she has nothing to offer but herself.”

“I am 33 years of age and as regards looks can average with most men. I am looking for a lady to make her my wife as I am heartily tired of bachelor life. I desire a lady not over 28 or 30 years of age, not ugly, well educated and musical. Nationality makes no difference, only I prefer not to have a lady of Irish birth. She must have at least $20,000.

“A lady, 23, tall, fair and good looking, without means, would like to hear from a gentleman of position wanting a wife. She is well educated, accomplished, amiable, and affectionate.”

“A bachelor of 40, good appearance and substantial means, wants a wife. She must be under 30, amiable and musical.”

To learn more about the serious business of finding a husband or wife by mail in the wide-open days of the Old West read

Object Matrimony:

The Risky Business of Mail-Order Matchmaking on the Western Frontier.

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David’s Bridals