Problem in Jamestown

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

The Jamestown Company had a serious problem. Would-be settlers were abandoning the colony and returning to England. Why? Almost every colonist was a man. They might be willing to endure famine, disease, and warfare, but many of the colonists weren't willing to do without a wife. And, of course, a colony without women wasn't sustainable. So, the Company knew it had to do something to lure eligible brides to Jamestown.

To make the prospect of life on the Virginia frontier enticing, the Company devised a remarkable set of incentives. Women who agreed to come to Virginia to find a husband were provided free transportation, clothing, furniture, and a plot of land in their own name. They were also given property and inheritance rights that they wouldn't have in England. Best of all they were allowed to choose their own husband (who was guaranteed to be wealthy). Each woman was courted by dozens of eager suitors, and the Company provided her with room and board while she weighed her options and made her choice.

A man lucky enough to win the wife sweepstakes was obligated to pay the Company 150 pounds of prime tobacco. A decade into its existence, the wife-supply business was the only part of the Jamestown Company's operations that was profitable.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Here in Canada, in the mid to late 1600's, King Louis 16th of France, paid a dowry to women of child bearing years to go to Canada and become wives for the soldiers and settlers there.

They were known as "Filles du Roi"

The many descendants of these unions still live in Quebec as well as the rest of Canada.

[Trailrider #896]

There was a TV show, "Here Come the Brides", about importing women to the Seattle area in the 1860's. I think it was based on an actual situation.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

1 hour ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

Here in Canada, in the mid to late 1600's, King Louis 16th of France, paid a dowry to women of child bearing years to go to Canada and become wives for the soldiers and settlers there.

They were known as "Filles du Roi"

The many descendants of these unions still live in Quebec as well as the rest of Canada.

In the 70s, Quebec was paying my SIL something every month for her three daughters.

[Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485]

8 hours ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

Here in Canada, in the mid to late 1600's, King Louis 16th of France, paid a dowry to women of child bearing years to go to Canada and become wives for the soldiers and settlers there.

They were known as "Filles du Roi"

The many descendants of these unions still live in Quebec as well as the rest of Canada.

Both of my Grandmothers were French Canadian, so maybe there are some in the states as well.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

1 hour ago, Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 said:

Both of my Grandmothers were French Canadian, so maybe there are some in the states as well.

Definitely!

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

11 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

In the 70s, Quebec was paying my SIL something every month for her three daughters.

 

4 hours ago, Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 said:

Both of my Grandmothers were French Canadian, so maybe there are some in the states as well.

 

Quebec, in attempting maintain its population and encourage the use of the French language, will pay around $8000.00 to a family having a child.

In addition, the Canadian Government has the Baby Bonus program, wherein the families with children under 6 can receive up to 600.00+ per month and  those between 6 and 17 or 18 can receive about $500.00+ per month. Not sure of the exact numbers anymore, since my "baby" is nearly 47 LOL