Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-04-06
For the Suubury American
= = II : n OF Tue SuhDuIy hHIeIcaII
The Golden Wedding at Northumberland.

For the Sunbury American
The Golden Wedding at Northumberland.
1t rarely falls to the lot of community SO small
as that of Northumberland to have celebrated among
them what is termed golden tredaing that is,
the fftieh anniversary of the marriago-day of any
couple. 1t was our happiness to witness and enjoy
such n scene on the evening of the Goth of March
last, in this place.
On the goth of March, 1917, Mr.. William Forsyth
and Miss Elisabeth Gaskins were united in marriage,
and consequently March 20, 1857 was the fftieth
anniversary Of their union. ..l
At their residence, on that evening, We found
large and respectable assemblage composed of their
children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. who
had met for the purpose of congratulatng the happy
couple their prolonged union, the uniform health
and many domestic comforts they had enjoyed du-
ring their fifty years OF married life and their good
health and future prospects on that happy occasion.
About o'clock in the evening the whole company
proceeded TO one of the parlors where Mr. and Mrs
Forsyth were seated, and surrounded Immediately
by their children and grandchildren; the relatives
and friends securing places wherever they best could
After a moments pause Mr.. Martyr D. ID. Withing-
ton, the husband OF tho eldest daughter rose, and
addressed them in speech which had the rare merit
of being at once short, pathetic and pointed. lie
spoke Of the afectionnte respect which their chill
dren ani grandchildren, aa also their relatives and
friends had ever entertained for then and expressed
yet be spared TO zee many more happy days in the
bosom Of their family, and when their journey was
over that they might be permitted to walk together
in the better land, along the tiowery banks of the
syery river that flows from the throne Of the
! Eternal. ....
Then turning to the table whereon were placed
the beautiful gifts OF silver and gold the tributes Of
afiectionate respect furnished by the children and
friends he presented them in detail, mentioning the
names Of tho parties who had furnished each partic.
ular gift.
These gifts, presented by the friends, would take
MP too much space TO mention in detail but we can
not omit to notice the silver TeaSctt presented by
the grandchildren, article of which were in.
scribcd these words:
"Presented to our Grandparents
''Un the Fiji icth Anniv versary OF their elding,
'Msrcb 20, 1887"
After Mr.. Wilmington had finished the Fresenta-
ton of the gifts, Mr.. William L. Forsyth returned
thanks in the of his parents, To the donors aud
friends present, for their gifts and congratulations
As he concluded, the Rev. James Dickson ad-
dressed the aged couple, stating that the congratu.
aons OF those present were not the only good wishes
expressed that happy occasion; that letters had
been received from far and near, from friends who
could not possibly be present ut the celebration
Pour or five of these letters he proceeded to read
all Of which were full of expressions of esteem and
the most cordial wishes for their comfort and happi-
ness or these letters. one deserves our special no
tice-written by Rev. Isaac Corneison, OF Mn'amo-
ra, Illinois, the husband of their third daughter. We
never before read letter written on similar occa-
sion But We could not have supposed that our
heart could have been stirred to its lowest depths as
it was, when we FIRST read that letter 1t was full o
earnest affection, of high regard and esteem, OF
! deep-toned piety, OF the most cordial wishes and
prayers for the present and future welfare of their
beloved parents crouched also in language 50 beau
titul, so appropriate, so tender.
After the reading OF the letters from absent friends
MIR Dickson concluded with a short prayer in which
thsnksgiy ing returned to God for his protection
over them for many years. and the petition wa'
offered that goodness and mercy might follow them
all the days OF their life.
Just az the ceremony was concluded Within the
Northumberland Band struck up and played several
appropriate airs Then followed the collation., which
was generously and magnifcently got up. Such
table We have seldom seen equaled, certainly never
eroellsd.
The whole evening spent by young and old il
the most agreeable manner, vocal music adding Il
the variety Of the enjoyment, and each individual
seeming to vie with the other in rendering the occa
sion pleasant and happy
There were present upwards Of eighty persons and
it is not little remarkable that in this company
there were seventeen persons over seventy years O.
age.
Altogether II was one Of those occasions to which
the mind loves to advert, and shall ever regard
II as one of the pleasantest evenings we have evcl
spent in so large company L0MED.