“Peyton Place.....??????”
Somewhat of a G rated Peyton Place. There was a custom in New England called bundling, engaged couples or soon to be engaged were sown into bags and placed in the same bed sometimes with a board placed between them, may have been where the term woody came from, who knows.
Why this practice came into being, I have no idea, unless it was to test the resourcefulness of the man, or maybe to find out if either snored or farted like a pulling mule. Any of my reasons may have been grounds for calling off the engagement. I have often wondered how they got away with getting out of the bags and then sewed them back up after the deed. Apologies in advance if you have already heard this story.
I have an ancestor whose bride to be was a day and a halfs travel away. They had a my ancestor 6 months after their marriage. lol