The Opelousas courier., 1886-10-02
Nellie Grant Sartoris.

No bit Of society news ever created
greater surprise than the nnouncemen
of the engagement of Miss Nellie Wren.
shall Grant, daughter of the President
of the United States, to Algernon Charles
Frederick Sartoris, a British subject
The prospective groom was a son o.
Edward Sartoris, of Hampshire,
England. His mother was Adelaide
Kemble, daughter of Charles and sister
of Fanny Kemble the actress. The
young man had been educated in
England and Germany, and about 1870
Game to the United States to seek his
fortune. In 1879, on the steamship
Russia, while Miss Nellie was returning
from a trip to Europe, the couple met
and formed one of those un~accountable
attachments called by women sslove af-
fairs,n which terminated in courtship
aid marriage. At that time Nellie had
turned seventeen. She had enjoyed a
life of exceptional social opportunities
and had everything to make a maiden in
her teens settled. Her father had been
the chieftain OF the powerful armies Of
the United States, and was the conqueror
Of the rebellion. He then had reached
the pinnacle of power and grandeur, the
seat OF the Chief Magistrate of his coun-
+ AS a child Of six to ten years with
I er mother Nellie often visited her
1r's headquarters in the field. Dur
ing the movements and strife of armies
she often heard the thunder of artillery,
the rain of musketry and the clash of
arms. AT the capital she was the pet Of
theJocial world. She had received dis
tinguisheu attentions from old and
young. Her debut was one ofthe events
OF the social history of the Executive
Mansion. The sons and daughters Of
the most eminent statesmen and officials
were her companions. In her home she
was the idol of her father.
In Washington society Mr.. sartoris
was only figure as the friend of Miss
Grant. He possessed none Of the finer
social qualities Of young men. He was
g q sporting, and much of his time
was pa sed at the marine barracks. His
conduct there wasa matter of common
talk. His iIl-considered and usually ir-
responsible comments among the officers
bout Miss Grant, the lady to whom he
. known to be engaged, in disparage-
at of her intelligence and education,
often almost led to chastisement. It
was only his relations at the Executive
Mansion which compelled them to up
press their indignation and tolerate his
presence.
When 1t became known to Mrs. Grant
and tho President that the attentions of
MT. sartoris meant marriage there was a
deep sense Of disappointment, to refer to
the matter mildly. The President, in
speaking on the subject to a friend, in o
most feeling manner, expressed his regret
that tho objecto of his daughters affections
not an American citizen. tsThe
hnnblestin the land" he said, ssrather
than the subject Of d foreign State He
to dissuade his daughter, his idol
Ized child, from 90 mistaken q step. Her
determination was fixed. AS the Presi-
lent said at the time, ssRathNr than have
public comment / yield "a consent.
with d wounded hearin
The marriage was the talk of society
weeks, and the event itself was the
most brilliant ever witnessed within tho
walls Of the Executive Mansion. It was
be seventh affair of the kind which had
ccurred there. hiss Todd, q relative of
Irs Madison, in 1911, was there made
be wife Of John G. Jackson, q Repre- /.
~antative id Congress from Virginia.
Tario Monroe, the daughter Of the Presi- !
emf, ii the Green Room, In March,
820, at the age of II, was married to
first cousin, Samuel L. Gouyerneur, !
I New York. Il was there, in 1926, .
lat John Quincy Adams, Jr., married !
\ cousin, Miss johnson. During The !,
ADMINISTRATION Of President jackson, d !
Of Major Lewis, Of Nashville, I
as there married to IL. Paqnot, Of Mar !
afterwards Minister Of Franceto /
u United States, and also Miss Esten, I
4 Presidents niece, to Mr. Polk, OF ]
The next wedding va the J,
aFriage Of President Tyler's daughter, !,
'titia5 10 William Waller, Williams Z
Va, HI the East Room, June 81
az. The next WIS Tho marriage Of
il Nellie Grant, ana since, during
Hayes administration, Maa u
aigg PIatt to General Russell H~aztings, q
/ last Presidents Cleveland to Miss
aneea Folsom al
rhe wedding ~ Miss Nellie Grant,
i y, eud Mr. ssrtoris, %, took place Il
Tie East Hoom 1t II j. M, May 81,
Xhe aoFal marriage bell ana dec. ID
'siasA we're sapsgh. The bridesmaids ou