Probably someone who had children of his own, especially if the children (either his or hers) weren't grown yet. I think it was a very usual arrangement in America's early colonial era for widows and widowers to marry and raise their children together.
I think a widow had incentive to marry, if she was not well-off; sometimes even if she was. Society being what it was, for most women being married to a good, decent man was much easier than being a widow. Life simply wasn't organized with single women in mind.Also, having a stepfather who was well-off or influential could help the marriage prospects of her own daughters.
I think a widow had incentive to marry, if she was not well-off; sometimes even if she was. Society being what it was, for most women being married to a good, decent man was much easier than being a widow. Life simply wasn't organized with single women in mind.Also, having a stepfather who was well-off or influential could help the marriage prospects of her own daughters.