Boston Marriage (1886)

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

   Maybe Henry James did coin "Boston marriage" in THE BOSTONIAS (1886).  I have some "Boston marriage" hits, but they're nothing unusual.
   This was discussed on alt.usage.english.


        http://ps.interpolls.com/cache/whv/godsgenerals/historynet.html
 With the advent of the David Mamet production, "Boston Marriage," a term once obscure surfaced again to the public consciousness. In the 19th century, this term was used for households where two women lived together, independent of any male support. Whether these were lesbian relationships -- in the sexual sense -- is debatable and debated. The likelihood is that some were, some weren't. Today, the term "Boston marriage" is sometimes used for lesbian relationships -- two women living together -- which are not sexual.


 (NYPL's CATNYP)
 Author  James, Henry, 1843-1916.
 Title   The Bostonians : a novel in three volumes / by Henry James.
 Imprint London : Macmillan and Co., 1886.
 Descript    3 v. ; 20 cm.
 Note    First edition. Cf. Edel.
     Originally appeared in the Century magazine from February, 1885 to February, 1886. Cf. Edel.
     "Printed by R. R. Clark, Edinburgh"--vol. 1,


 (MAKING OF AMERICA--MICHIGAN)
 Author: Smith, Matthew Hale, 1810-1879.
 Title: Sunshine and shadow in New York. By Matthew Hale Smith. (Burleigh.)
 Publication date: 1869.
 Collection: Making of America Books
 Search results: 1 match in full text
 Page 130  - 1 term matching "Boston marriage*"
    On a new demand for money being made, the chief opened a negotiation, through a freind, to see if a settlement could not be made, so that the victim, by paying a certain sum, might be free from further annoyance.  The chief worked up the husband.  He turned up too conveniently not to be a rogue.  He was tracked to Boston, where he had a wife and children living.  The Boston marriage was established.