Widowers go into society at a much earlier date than widows, it being a received rule that all gentlemen in mourning for relatives go into society very much sooner than ladies.
"Manners and Social Usages"
Mrs. John M. E. W. Sherwood
In running over the archives, it appeared, I found, that there was in those days an unusual number of Widowers and widows disposed to marry again, and, in fact, that the business of this kind was in a great measure confined to them; but probably, as the relation of husband and wife was not very clearly defined among the Indians, these candidates for Christian matrimony had only parted from former companions, and, through the charity or modesty of the monks, were called Widowers and widows.
"Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, Vol. I."
John L. Stephens
Pinckney had discouraged a bald-headed minister, warned off an old bachelor, and dropped strong hints to a couple of Widowers that took to callin' frequent for afternoon tea.
"Shorty McCabe"
Sewell Ford