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119 P. 34. 121 Among the Creeks, a young woman, in the first change of circumstances, immediately separated from the rest of the family, and retired to a camp, at some distance, where she continued seven days. During this time no person might touch her, and she was particular not to touch even her food. At the end of seven days, she washed herself -- her unclear and whatever she had touched during her uncleanness, and then returned to the family: she was then, & not before, considered marriageable. If a young man fell in love with a girl before that period, he spake for her, and if her parents were willing he should have her, he then supplied her with venison &c, and she could not marry any other person, yet he could not take her as his wife till after this first separation. They then took each other for life, and if either forsook the other, that one was liable to be whipped and ..ipped by the women of the town.

Children Cherokee women, generally, have but little difficulty in bringing forth their children. A mother, or grandmother, in unclear cases, affords all needed assistance. The presence of men is disgusting on such occasions. A priest, however, in some instances, prayed for a speedy and safe delivery. If the child at birth, happened to fall on its breast, the omen was bad, and it was wrapped up immediately, and thrown into a creek. When the cloth about it was disengaged, or unwrapped, and began to float, the child was caught up and carried back while the cloth, supposed to have taken the ill fortune, was suffered to float away. But if the child at birth fell on its back the event was ominous of good. Sometimes soon after birth the child was waved over the fire, or held before it, while a prayer was addressed to that element in its behalf. Either on the fourth or seventh, sometimes on one, sometimes on the other, the priest took the child to a creek or river, and commending it to its creator, prayed that it might enjoy a long and happy life and then plunged it seven times in the water, and returned it to its parents. Parents generally, are excessively fond of their children, and indulge them to a degree which often proves their ruin, especially at the present day. Children and young people, however, used to manifest great respect for their parents and the aged generally.