My guess would be that she had her head shaved as punishment and had to put paper in her hat so that it would fit.

C. Gehring
New Netherland Project

>>> [log in to unmask] 07/09/02 17:10 PM >>>
Note to NYHIST-L subscribers:  This inquiry does not relate directly to NY history but is posted as an interesting query and as a courtesy to a neighboring state!         --Moderator, NYHIST-L

Date: Sat, 06 Jul 2002 23:11:39 -0400
From: "A. Petrash" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Paper in the hat

Dear fellow historians,

I am writing a book for Globe Pequot Press, More Than Petticoats:  Remarkable Connecticut Women.  (I also wrote Remarkable NY Women."  One of the women I am writing about had done extensive research on 17th century women in her area of CT (Mystic).  One of the women she discussed had several children out of wedlock and stated in her diary that she "had to wear the paper in her hat."

Does anyone know what this refers to?  I am assuming it is something like the Scarlet Letter - a badge of disgrace, but I do not know for sure.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Antonia Petrash
Glen Cove NY