Marriage was a serious affair in the 18th century. Marriage contracts were drawn up between the parties in landed families and also amongst the tradesmen and burgesses. A contract clarified the financial position of the couple and made financial provision for the woman in the event she was widowed. The marriage contract would state the dowry the bride brought with her to her husband. It also made provision for her terce, a provision of lands or money in the event of the husband's death amounting to approximately 1/3 of his heritable goods. A wealthy bride would also expect to receive a dower house in which to live if she was widowed. Ann Anderson expected to receive half of the marital household furniture and effects if her tailor husband James Crabb died. The contract is simple and straightforward and deals mainly with £73 of Anne's money, which she had invested. In stark contrast to the contract between Ann and James Crabb, the marriage contract of landed gentry Colonel John Scott of Commieston and Mary Carnegie of Southesk, made after their marriage, covers 4 folio pages and is far more complex. Angus Archives MS 620/4/45