New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-17
A Golden Wedding.


Monday last in our little sister town of
Milneburg. This was the celebration OF the
fftieth anniversary of the marriage of
Charles Fagot, lighthouse keeper at that
place. and his estimable wife, Virginie Bien-
venu, aged respectively seventy-nine and
o'clock on Monday, April Is, 1922, this ex-
cellent couple, fifty years later, again called
around them family and friends, and on
bended knees thanked God for blessings
past, and implored their continuance.
Father Tibilau, of st. Augustine Church,
conducted the ceremonies. The scene was
striking in the extreme. Present at this
golden wedding-this remarriage we may
term it-were four persons who were among
the original wedding guests, while gathered
around the venerable pair were at least a
score of lineal descendants, who had come
gladly and proudly together to do honor to
their beloved ancestors. Both parties are
natives of Louisiana, born in the parish of
st. Martin, where they have hosts of rela-
tives and friends. Married in St. Martins
vile in 1922, they lived there many years.
during which Mr.. Fagot held various public
positions OF trust and honor and always
with the highest credit to himself and
friends. Removing to this city, he was soon
given the position of keeper of the light
house located at Milneburg, on the beautiful
Lake Pontchartrain. Originally appointed
by Franklin Pierce, he was reappointed by
Abraham Lincoln, and after nineteen years
service, he still holds the position, free from
shadow of stain or reproach. AN honest
mans the noblest work of God" veteran
of 1915, he loves the name OF jackson, ard
never wearies of sounding the praises Of his
gallant leader. Eight children, four sons
and four daughters, were the fruit Of this
marriage, all of whom still live, except the
eldest son. Charles, who fell in tho confed-
crate army. OF the remaining seven, five
were present on this interesting occasion,
with numerous children, numbering more
than half of the forty lineal descendants of
this most worthy couple. Rarely has
more purely Creole family group been seen
than the one here assembled, and most wor-
thily did they justify the pride growing out
of that title. French was the language
used, and many present could converse in
no other. Natives Of Louisiana, many of
them have never been beyond the limits of
their mother State, and all, without excep-
ton, are familiar with the French tongue.
Among the invited guests we saw several
well-known gentlemen Of the Third Dis
trict-old friends Of the family. Judges
Duvigneaud and Viavant were among
them, and though their heads are silvered
with age, they gave the fullest evidence of
yet having young hearts. A long table
was bountifully spread, aud as lively
party of gray headed men and women, aud
curly-headed children, with all intervening
ages, surrounded it, as it has ever been our
good fortune to witness. Mirth ruled the
hour, and all gave themselves over to the
joyous inspirations Of the occasion. Four
generations sat at the same board, most Of
them hale and hearty. In the spring OF
1861 we had the pleasure of sitting at the
table of one Of Mr.. Fagot's hospitable
daughters, where were the representatives
of five generations. Since that time the
great great grandmother has passed away.
The remaining four generations were pres
ent on this occasion. This speaks volumes
for the bealthfulness of Louisiana. After
the heartiest enjoyment in eating. drinking
and testing. mterspersed with anecdote and
song, also waltz by the gay bridegroom
with an equally gay gray haired lady guest,
the party separated, fully believing that sit
is better to laugh than be signing"