Gene-ology

Supplemental 02

Gene-ology: The Hotel Carlton Mail Bag

Gene-ology has been covering Gene Roddenberry’s early TV writing for a year now, so it’s an opportune time for Ashley and Earl to take a well-deserved break from the wild west and dig into your comments and questions on past episodes of the podcast.

 

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Discussion

  1. James R Madden says:
    October 26, 2024 at 2:54 pm

    TO GEMINI AI: Were there cases of Civil War veterans, as they got older, marrying young ladies who would inherit the veteran’s property after his death in return for tending to them in old age?

    Yes, there were indeed cases of elderly Civil War veterans marrying much younger women who would inherit their property after their death. This was particularly common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and several factors contributed to this phenomenon:  

    Financial Security for the Women: Many women, especially in the post-Civil War South, faced limited economic opportunities. Marrying an elderly veteran, even if there was a significant age gap, provided them with financial security and a home.
    Pension Benefits: Widows of Civil War veterans were eligible for pensions. This provided an additional incentive for young women to marry veterans, as they would receive a steady income after the veteran’s death.  
    Caregiving in Old Age: Many veterans were elderly and in declining health. Marrying a younger woman provided them with a caregiver and companion in their later years.
    While some of these marriages were based on genuine affection, others were more transactional. The woman would provide care and companionship in exchange for financial security and inheritance.

    Notable Examples:

    Several well-documented cases highlight this practice:

    Helen Viola Jackson: In 1936, 17-year-old Helen married 93-year-old James Bolin, a Union Civil War veteran. She became arguably the last surviving Civil War widow when she died in 2020.  
    Maudie Hopkins: In 1934, 19-year-old Maudie married 86-year-old Confederate veteran William M. Cantrell.
    Alberta Martin: In 1927, 21-year-old Alberta married 81-year-old Confederate veteran William Jasper Martin.
    These marriages often raised eyebrows and sparked debate about the motives of both parties. However, they provide a glimpse into the social and economic realities of the post-Civil War era and the challenges faced by both veterans and young women.

    It’s important to remember that while these cases existed, they don’t represent all marriages between Civil War veterans and younger women. Many of these unions were likely based on genuine affection and companionship.