A Token of Love Colonial America - Puzzle Purse Love Letters

Handwritten Valentines were popular in England and Western Europe from the 15th Century, a tradition that was brought to the American Colonies. But sometimes the lovelorn are at a loss for words. At such times, our Colonial friends might refer to English Letter-Writers, in book and pamphlet form, for advice in composing missives to their sweethearts. Among them, The Amorous Gallant's Tongue Tipp'd with Golden Expressions: or, the Art of Courtship Refined. "Valentines Writers" were also for Valentine's Day and other occasions when heartfelt sentiments were in order. Valentine Writers like The Young Man's Valentine (1797) and Every Ladies Own Valentine Writer (1798) were also perused for enjoyment of verse and witty prose. 

VALENTINE

Ye sweet feather warblers that sing thro' the grove,

Convey me this letter to the hands of my love,

Which will case my fond heart with sorrow possess;

I am weary of roving and ne'er can take rest:

Oh now to my pray'r, I pr'y thee incline

And make her for ever my fair Valentine. 

~*~

The feather'd race together meet,

And all is harmony complete.

The tuneful blackbird and the thrull,

Make vocal every tree and bulb.

Like them in love my fair let's join,

And be my faithful Valentine. 

~*~

'Tis true I love you and with great respect,'Tis true I'm treated with a cold neglegt.

I thought thy frowns were but dissemblcd heat,

And all thy threatening looks an am'rous cheat.

As nurses oft seem to deny a kiss,

To make the fender suppliant steal the bliss;

So I believe'd thou didst abscond and flee,

Only to make me faster follow thee.

But now alas! 'tis earnest all I find,

And not pretended anger but design'd.

Relent dear maid soften that heart of thine,
And try to love your loving Valentine.

Houghton Library
Harvard University

The poems and verses inspired by or copied from Valentine's Writers were written on slips of paper or posted in a newspaper by suitors for Valentine's Day. Verses were also transcribed onto handcrafted love-letters that were folded into puzzle purses as love tokens. Introduced by Pennsylvania-German immigrants who called them liebesbrief (love-letter), the puzzles were embellished with beautiful water-colors in traditional fraktur style artwork.
These puzzle purse love tokens were created on a one foot square of "laid paper" (with laid lines from the paper mold) was folded into a square "purse." The delightful Valentine was decorated with verse and decoration on the exterior. Once fully opened, secret messages would be revealed inside and sometimes an additional token of love - a ring or a lock of hair. I remember making similar folded messages in my school days, unbeknownst to me that people had been creating them for centuries.

Please be sure to click on images to see full size view.

Center view - Houghton Library

May Heavenly Angles their swift wings display 

And be your guard in Every dangerous way.

In every state most happy may you be,

Now I am for Distant pray think of me.

Inside view -  Houghton Library

American Folk Art Museum, 1799
To Sarah Newlin

My Dear this heart that you behold / When you these leaves unfold

So my poor heat with love sick pain / Sore wounded is and breaks in twain.

1769 Georg Lang, Free Library of Philadelphia

Translation from German:
When I arrive, I will be here; when I brew, I make beer; when I bake, I make bread; when I die, I am dead as a mouse.

[in hearts, starting at bottom, going counter clockwise]

1. Yes, when I don’t see you, my darling, my heart is filled with dread and sorrow

2. And would at every moment spring apart in many thousand pieces.

3. I desire faithful love, wounded completely with right love.

4. For to love and not being loved back makes many a beautiful heart sad; but if both love, then two hearts are filled with joy.

5. My heart burns in the blaze of love, but it does not know how yours is doing. Is my heart like mine, then the love will persist.

6. My dear darling, our flames of love will come together with time.

7. Hold firmly on to your heart’s love, like the tree to his branches, and the grapevine to its vine; So I will surrender my heart to you.

8. My heart, your heart, one heart, without any joking. The 26th December 1769.

Pennsylvanian or New England 1790-1810 - Soothby's

As turns the needle to the pole
So my heart's fond inclin'd

To the bright magnet of my soul

And you my Valentine

VIEW MORE HERE: Valentine Love Token Puzzle Purses at Free Library of Philadelphia



Best-selling inspirational romance author Carla Gade writes adventures of the heart with
historical roots. With ten books in print, she is always imaging more stories and enjoys bringing her tales to life with historically authentic settings and characters. A native New Englander, Carla writes from her home amidst the rustic landscapes of Maine. An avid reader, amateur genealogist, photographer, and house plan hobbyist, Carla's great love (next to her family) is historical research. Though you might find her tromping around an abandoned homestead, an old fort, or interviewing a docent at an historical museum, it's easier to connect with her online at https://www.facebook.com/CarlaOlsonGade/.

Winter Tea Party

Welcome 1777 in the Mohawk Valley and our winter Tea Party to celebrate some recent releases! Our location is a little more rustic than usual, but I assure you we have lots of firewood to keep us warm. And lots of refreshments, too! Despite the ever increasing raids by the Iroquois and Tories, harvest was good. 

With winter there has been a pause in the fighting, but rest assured we are always prepared for our Loyalist neighbors and their red-coated friends. 

The location for our party comes from Angela K Couch's debut novel, The Scarlet Coat, the first of her Hearts at War series. She will give away both an autographed print copy and ebook to one of our guests today. 

A Woman Compelled by Christian Charity
Surrounded by the musket fire of the American Revolution, Rachel Garnet prays for her family to be safe.  When the British invade the Mohawk Valley, and her father and brother don’t return from the battle, she goes in pursuit of them. She finds her brother alive but her father has been killed at the hand of the enemy. Amidst the death, how can she ignore a cry for help…? Rachel reluctantly takes in a badly wounded British officer. But how long can her sense of Christian duty repress her hatred for his scarlet coat?

A Man Lost to the Devastation of War
Passages of Scripture and fleeting images of society are all Andrew Wyndham recalls after he awakens to the log walls of his gentle prison. Even his name eludes him. Rachel Garnet insists he is a captain in the British army. He mourns the loss of his memory, but how can he hope to remember war when his “enemy” is capturing his heart?

A Scarlet Uniform Holds the Power to Unite or Divide
Andrew’s injuries are severe, his memory slow to return, and the secret of his existence too perilous to ignore. As Rachel nurses him back to health, his hidden scarlet coat threatens to expose the deeds of her merciful heart, and Andrew is forced to face a harrowing decision—Stay hidden and risk losing the woman he loves or turn himself in and risk losing his life.

Available at:       Barnes & Noble           Indigo/Chapters         Amazon

Angela K Couch is an award-winning author for her short stories, and a semi-finalist in ACFW’s 2015 Genesis Contest with The Scarlet Coat. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. Angela lives in Alberta, Canada with her “hero” and three munchkins

 Moving farther west... I'm celebrating the Valentine Matchmaker collection from Forget Me Not Publishing. Included is my novella Why Not? which is set in February 1914 at Grand Canyon Village. It might be Arizona, but it's also cold and wintry!

The Valentine Matchmaker Collection includes nine sweet novellas, contemporary and historical, from Authors Mary Alford, Brandi Bobbie, Martha Rodgers, Niki Turner, Jennifer Vander Klipp, Jennifer Collins Johnson, Sherri Stewart and Gail Gaymer Martin. And me, Debra E. Marvin.

Here's the 'scoop' on WHY NOT?

Love Puts These Two On the Edge!

Grand Canyon, 1914

Society girl Amber Wynott’s wintry escape to the Grand Canyon provides a chance to pursue her dream and prove she has what it takes to be a successful architect. It doesn’t take long to realize the incredible scenery can’t hide the simmering anger between ‘railroad money’ and the struggling locals. 

Which side is master builder Stone Morrison on?

Amber has met her match in the handsome, hard-headed man. He’s been directed to keep an eye on her, but when iron meets iron—oh the sparks! As their unlikely old matchmaker tells them, pride goes before a fall, and this is a bad place to fall. Will danger finally knock some sense into the pair?

Like many of you, I'm a history fan and I enjoyed digging into Grand Canyon history, including the 'real heroine' of my tale, famed architect Mary Colter who designed many of the historical treasures known as National Park Architecture as well as hotels and train stations for the Sante Fe Railroad and the Fred Harvey Company.

"BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!"

new subscribers to my newsletter will be eligible for a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To do so, visit my website or click the SIGN UP link here.  or email me directly at debra (at) debraemarvin.com. If you're already a subscriber, send someone over and tell me via the above email, and you'll be in the drawing as well!

And because it's Valentine's Month, and we're romance writers and because Carrie loves pink, I'm giving away a Valentine Table Runner that I created just for this party!  Please note in a comment if you'd like to be in the drawing. 

Connect with Debra on: Twitter   Facebook  Website  Pinterest   Amazon Author Page.

Early Valentine's Soiree at Shirley Plantation!

Shirley Plantation

Welcome to our

Valentine Soiree!

(Virtual site is Shirley Plantation 

in Charles City, Virginia!)

AMC filmed many scenes from their upcoming television series "Turn" at Shirley Plantation.

(Click here for the "Turn" website with trailer--warning it is a secular show and violent.)

The servants will be coming through with tea, coffee, and cider. 

Kitchen at Shirley Plantation

They've been busy in the kitchens, preparing pies, cakes, tarts and all manner of foods for our guests. 

Reproduction Colonial  Sugar Bowl 

Giveaways: Gifts from Lady Cessalye's gift shop, an antique reproduction blue and white china sugar bowl from Yorktown Victory Center.

Whispers from the Shadows

A  copy of Roseanna White's novel, which shares similar elements as Alexander Rose's "Turn" but is a Christian fiction.












And a copy of Carrie Fancett Pagels' a copy of "Return to Shirley Plantation" novella.

Return to Shirley Plantation and Shirley ornament 

If you've come in character and dressed accordingly, you'll receive extra entries for the giveaways! Leave your comments and let the fun begin!

First giveaway:

Fine Tea from Colonial Williamsburg

This adorable little spoon rest is something I also found at a museum store!

Oh my!!! We have some new "company" who were not invited! They may call themselves privateers, but the militia at the garrison call them pirates! Oh dear!!!

Yorktown Privateers

I'm going to hand out a few our the lovely Shirley Plantation history books for those of our guests who may have decided to, er…hastily depart rather than sup with these "watermen" who've brought no fish with them, although their arrival here is rather "fishy" at best!





Ah, there come the Charles City Militia, ready to escort these "gentlemen" to their ships down at the James River!

Several types of colonial American military coats

Upcoming Tea Party - Early Valentine's Soiree!!!

Shirley Plantation

No Tea Party in January here on Colonial Quills but in February we'd like to cordially invite our Followers, and other guests, to attend our:

Valentine Soiree

on 

February 7th

on 

the 

Colonial Quills 

website

(Virtual site is Shirley Plantation 

in Charles City, Virginia!)

Did you know?  AMC filmed many scenes from their upcoming television series "Turn" at Shirley Plantation?  And Shirley is celebrating its 400th anniversary!

Attire:  Formalwear, come in character. Servants will need to report to the ancillary buildings for instructions.

RVSP:  Right here!

Special: Several lovely giveaways including gifts from Lady Cessalye's gift shop, an antique reproduction blue and white china sugar bowl from Yorktown Victory Center, and a copy of Roseanna White's novel, which shares similar elements as Alexander Rose's "Turn" but is a Christian fiction.

Bay Leaves and Valentines

By Susan F. Craft

Valentine’s Day Eve, 1755

Two young women, clad in their night shifts, stood barefooted in their loft bedroom. A stubby candle anchored in a pile of wax on the corner of the nightstand illumined their golden hair plaited into long ropes draped across their shoulders.

“Do be quiet, you will give us away!” Heather admonished her twin sister.
Hannah pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle the giggles that threatened to wake their ever-vigilant father.

Heather’s eyes danced in spite of herself. “Hold out your hand,” she instructed, opening a handkerchief stuffed with bay leaves. “One, two, three, four, five,” she counted as she placed each leaf in her sister’s hand. “Five for you and five for me.”

Hannah placed her leaves on the nightstand and took a cloth-covered parcel from on top of the cornhusk mattress and unwrapped it to reveal two boiled eggs. “I removed the yolks, but I was not able to get much salt. Precious as it is. That won’t matter, will it?”

“I would not think such.” Heather took one of the eggs and ate it in two bites, then washed it down with water from a tin cup.

Hannah followed suit, and when they were finished, they sat on the side of the bed and grabbed their pillows.

“Sally said to pin one leaf at each corner of the pillow and one in the center. Then we should sprinkle the pillow with a little rose water.”

Hannah took a quick glance at the attic stairs and frowned. “This seems very pagan. Papa would be angry if he found us out.”

“But, dear sister, don’t you want to find out who you will marry?”

Hannah bobbed her head. “I-I. Well, yes.”

When they had finished pinning the leaves to their pillows and sprinkling the rose water, they placed them atop the bed. They slid underneath the covers, and after wiggling around to get comfortable, they held hands to complete the ritual.

"Good valentine, be kind to me. In dreams, let me my true love see," they repeated the words together.

Heather yawned. “Sweet dreams, Hannah.”

Willing herself to drift off to sleep, Hannah whispered, “I hope my dreams are of Edward.”

“We will know on the morrow.”

St. Valentine’s Day customs can trace their roots to the conventional belief of the Middle Ages that on February 14, halfway through the second month of the year, birds begin to choose their mates and songbirds warble the end of winter.

Chaucer penned a poem to honor the wedding of Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, which took place in January 1382. Their marriage is generally regarded as one of the most successful and loving royal marriages of the Middle Ages.

“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day

When every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

Chaucer (1340/45-1400)

Other poets commemorating Valentine’s Day were Drayton and Herrick --

“Each little bird this tide

Doth chose her beloved peer,

Which constantly abide

In wedlock all the year.”

--Michael Drayton (1563-1631)--

“Oft have I heard both youth and virgin say

Birds choose their mates, and couples too, this day;

But by their flight I never can divine,

When I shall couple with my Valentine.”

--Robert Herrick (1591-1674)--

February 14 eventually became regarded as a day especially consecrated to lovers and deemed a proper occasion for the writing of romantic letters and the sending of love tokens. The literature of both France and England in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries commonly contain references to such practices, with the earliest probably found in the 34th and 35th Ballades, a work written in French by the bilingual poet named John Gower (1327/30-1408), an English poet who may also have been in the merchant trade.

One of the most ancient of Valentine's Days rituals (dating from at least the Middle Ages and possibly earlier) was the practice of writing the names of young ladies on slips of paper and placing them within a bowl. The lady whose name was drawn by an eligible bachelor became his valentine, and he wore the name on his sleeve for one week. It is believed that the saying "to wear one's heart on one's sleeve” (meaning that it is easy for others to know the romantic inclination of an individual) may have originated from this custom.

It was once believed that if a woman noticed a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If the woman saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man, but be very happy. If she spied a goldfinch, it was said that her husband would be a man of great wealth.

During the 1700s, a poplar custom was the one followed by Hannah and Heather.

Another 18th century custom was for a woman to write the names of sweethearts or men in the village on small scraps of paper which would be rolled into clay balls. The balls were dropped into a container of water. It was believed that the first clay piece to rise to the top was the young woman's true valentine.

Early Dutch settlers in the American colonies also celebrated a few Valentine's Day customs. The most popular tradition was the belief that the first man a girl laid eyes upon on Valentine's Day was to be her future spouse. As a result, many young women would arise in the morning, keeping their eyes shut until a friend or family member advised them. It was usually planned by the family to have a pleasing male awaiting the young woman's first gaze. One can only imagine how much fun it would have been to play a practical joke on these helpless girls!