Daily AncestorLaid intentions
Laid intentions in Quaker minutes means a couple told the monthly meeting they intended to marry, the first step before the meeting approved and held the wedding.
The couple declared their intention, the meeting checked that they were clear of other engagements and of good character, and then left them at liberty to marry in a meeting for worship. Everyone present signed the marriage certificate, and the clerk copied it into the records.
Intentions can appear at two meetings if the bride and groom belonged to different ones. The certificate's witness list often names many relatives.
As seen in a recordQuaker monthly meeting minutes, 1700s to 1800s
Amos Tilton & Hannah Wing laid their intentions of marriage, 10th mo. 1810
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Daily Ancestor. "Laid intentions." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/church/laid-intentions. Last checked 2026-10-03.