Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-06-12
Wedding Anniversary and Family
Reunion,

anniversary of the marriage of Rev. }.
Y. AshenhurSt and wife, of High Ridge,
Belmont county, it was made the coca
sion of a celebration and family re-
union which was of the most pleasant
character, and will always be remember
ed 10y those who participated with the
liveliest feelings OF genuine satisfaction.
Friday vas bright. CHEEKY, and all that
could be desired.
The night before. every member of the
family gathered at the old homestead,
and spent the night together under the
home roof. Besides the father and
mother, the group around the hearth
stone embraced the following: Mary,
with her husband, Rev w Z Dunn, of
Scroggsield, Ohio, and their five chill
dreu; John j Ashenhurst, editor of the
Wayne County Herald, Wooster, o.,
wife and two children; Maggie, with
her husband, John McNeice, of High
Ridge, and two children; w. Jay Ashen-
hurst, editor of the Shreye. Ohio, News.
and wife; James O.. Eta and Flora
Ashenhurst, who have not yet gone out
from the old home. 1t was an occasion
Of more than ordinary interest to the
family, and the hours thus spent togeth-
er were frightened by exchanging pleas
ant experiences, and recalling sweet and
precious "reminiscences.
BY 10 o'clock on Friday morning, the
invited friends had assembled-am0ng
the number, seven, besides the bride and
groom, who had attended the original
wedding forty years ago. They were as
follows: James johnson, brother of the
bride; Oliver Ashenhurst, Manchester,
Ohio, brother of the groom; JOhh Allen,
Isabella Allen, Ruth Bellyille, Thomas
Patterson and his daughter Mamie, of
West Alexander, Pa.
The bric-a- brac display consisted of a
butter paddle and rolling pin, whitfield
out by the young groom in 1874. elso the
cradle in which Mary, now Mrs Rev w
G Dunn, was rocked in when an infant,
only a sugar water trough.
At II O'Clock the fifty guests were
seated around the tables, which we're
loaded with the gcoi things of this life
ample in quantity, excellent in quality
and paralyzlng to the inner man in
variety.
After the dinner had been thoroughly en-
joyed. the guests and family adjourned to the
parlor, where, after being called to order by
u
gatheripg, and spoke briefly of the pleasures
of the occasion, Rev w Dunn invoked the
divine blessing. An appropriate song, Under
the Roof-Tree, was then sung by the chill
dreu, Mr. Ashenhurst presiding at the Or
gan. AS soon as the song was finished, Rev
Thomas Balph, D D, of st Clairsville, arose
and began addressing some remarks to Father
and Mother Ashenhurst. After referring in
timely and appropriate words to the occasion
now being celebrated-the forty years of
happy journey together, and to the sad fact
that they were growing old, he said that he
knew it was the wish of the children that their
last days should be their best days, and that
they desired that they should enjoy them in
quiet rest and peace. Just then two hand
some, upholstered easy chairs were brought
into the room, which DR. Balph, on behalf of
the children, presented to the father and
mother. They were then escorted to the
chairs, when the children struck up another
song, Never Forget the Dear Old Folks at
Home. W ] Ashenhurst then made a short
but neat and appropriate congratulatory ad>
dress, after which James o Ashenhurst read
a poem prepar ed by him for the occasion. Af>
ter another song, Rev J Y Ashenhurst read
family history, which was full, complete and
interesting to all, but of special value to the
family. We understand that after careful
revision it will be printed, so that each men,
ber of the family can preserve a copy. J
Ashenhurst, on behalf of the family, thanked
the friends who had by their presence and help
aided so much in making the occasion so pleas
ant and profitable to all, after which Rev R G
Wallace Of Belaire, closed with PRAYER, and
the guests separated, having experienced a sea-
son of real enjoyment in home ruled by love
and overhowing with good cheer.
I g Let,
received from the following, who were unable
to be present: Rev Alexander Young, D D, of
Parnassus, Pa, the officiating minister at the
wedding forty years ago; Rev 7 Mcclure, D d,
of Wheeling Rev G G Vincent, d D, of New
Athens Rev W G Waddle, D d, of New Athens,
and Rev B G Campbell, D D, of New Athens.
Besides the chairs spoken of above, the fol-
lowing presents were received: Elegant glass
water pitcher, Mrs Nancy Johnson, Bellaire;
silver frame and ruby glass sugar bowl and
pitcher, Rev and Mrs r G Wallace, Bellaire;
glass berry set, Mr. and Mrs George, Bellaire;
pair ruby vaces, Miss Mamie Patterson, West
Alexander, Pa, in addition to other presents
from members of the family.
In the evening about sixty of the young peo
ple of the neighborhood, including number
from Bellaire and Bridgeport, assembled at the
Ashenhurst residence and had royal good
time. The evening was filled with the silver
light of the moon, and the lawn in front of the
residence was the scene of gaity and unremit-
ting joy-the exhuberant spirits OF our
country cousins being free from the restraints
of the conventional society restrictions. Ice
cream and other refreshments were served dur
ing the evening, and at late hour they depart
ed for their homes.
The celebration of the anniversary-the
ruby wedding-of Rev and Mrs J Ashen-
hurst was complete and successful IN every
particular. May they have many returns Of their
| wedding anniversary, and may peace and Joy