Random Strange Facts About What Physical Intimacy Was Like in Revolutionary America (10 items)

(#2) Dating Sometimes Involved Partners Being Stuffed Into A Burlap Sack

Premarital relations was frowned upon in colonial America, but that didn't prevent it from happening. As such, the practice of "bundling" was created to allow betrothed couples to stay at the girl's house under parental supervision. The young lovers would be placed into a sack, similar to a large sleeping bag with the middle sewn together, preventing any body parts from touching.

There were variations on this tradition too. The unmarried couple might be permitted to share a bed to keep warm, as long as a board separated them. Or they might simply be watched closely by parents. Naturally, these methods weren't always successful. In the mid- to late-1700s, an estimated one in three brides was pregnant when she said "I do."
(#6) Thomas Jefferson Fathered Children With One Of The Women He Enslaved

Thomas Jefferson is still celebrated for his liberal ideals, but he kept many slaves throughout his life. One, Sally Hemings, was referred to as his "concubine" in 19th-century documents, though scholars question whether the relationship was consensual.

Jefferson probably fathered Hemings's six children, which caused scandalous rumors during his presidency. His family maintained that the children, who were light-skinned and looked like Jefferson, were actually fathered by his nephews. After many recent DNA tests, however, it was determined that Jefferson himself was most likely the father of Hemings's children.
(#8) Dirty Jokes And Songs Were Popular

Colonial Americans' strict morals didn't prevent them from joking about intercourse. Even John Adams wrote down dirty quips he overheard. One told of a man whose friends tricked him into thinking he had contracted gonorrhea from a lady of the evening:

He went to the Dr. and was salivated for the Clap. Then they sent him before justice Phillips, then before justice Tyler, in short they played upon him till they provoked him so that he swore, he would beat the Brains out of the first man that came into his shop.

Another recounted the story of a man who "was a better Prophet than Elijah for he stretched himself on her but once to bring her to Life whereas Elijah did 3 times. He breathed into her the Breath of Life."
(#1) Benjamin Franklin Offered Indelicate Advice

Benjamin Franklin was known for his suave demeanor. In fact, it was partly why he was selected to win France's support during the Revolutionary War. But he also used that charm to court women and was very open in discussing romantic relations.

One of Franklin's letters outlines advice on finding a mistress. His biggest piece of advice: always go for older women. According to Franklin, their age and wisdom makes them discreet partners. But he was hardly respectful in his aims, stating, "The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts [continue] to the last as plump as ever."
(#5) Sex Work Didn’t Really Exist Outside Of Cities

While one might picture the cities of the past as teeming with sex workers, that wasn't the case in colonial America. Widespread religious beliefs discouraged such work, and the demographics of the population simply didn’t support large-scale operations. While it still existed, the industry wasn't centralized or well-documented in the countryside. There were, however, more employees working in the trade in major settlements, such as New York and Philadelphia.
(#7) There Were No Shops Catering To Self-Pleasure

Toys used for self-pleasure are likely as old as intercourse itself, but there’s no record of toys from America’s colonial era. Given that many Colonists were Puritans, it is likely that toys of this nature weren't discussed and sold publicly.