Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-07-05

1880 1880.
Celebration Of the FiftieIh AnuiVer-nry
Of the Marriage Of Mr. and Mrs.
james HHrVey simOnds.

james Harvey SimOnds.
July !, 1899 james Harvey Simonds and
Eliza Ann Foster were united in marriage
at the home of her parents ON South Main
street, on the site of the present residence
Of Thomas Judge. All Of their fifty wears
Of happy welded life, with the exception
of two winters passed ia Kentucky and
Connecticut, have been spent in Brattle
boro For the past 81 years they have liv-
ed III the house they now occupy at 40 Canal
street. Monday the anniversary Of their
wedding was ittingly observed A few of
Mr.. Slmondss relatives had locosely told
him that they should call 10 get drink OF
lemonade" but Mr. and Mrs Simonds were
entirely unsuspcious that arrangements
were being made to celebrate the event. and
were therefore taken all aback when, al
about two O'Clock. the guests began TO in
wade their home, and shower them with
congratulations The visitors brought with
them profusion OF flowers, including Il
bouquet of fifty pinks from Florist Allen
over the front door was placed large
evergreen piece with 1888 $50" work ed
IN white AMI red daisies
The ladies furnished an abundance of re
freshments, which were served on tables
on the lawn. At the first table 90 people
sat down whose united ages were 1749
years or an average of 70, although the
ages ranged from 90 to 81 wears The av-
erage of the H. oldest persons at the table
was - years. Three ladies who witnessed
Mr.. and Mrs. Simonds's marriage were
present-Mrs. Alfred Simonds, Mrs. Alex
ander Capen and Mrs John b. Miller
When large company had assembled Rev
I. w lllman, in felicitous speech, pre-
scented Mr.. and Mrs Simonds with a goodly
sum of money. Mr. Simonds, although
somewhat overcome by the surprise, re
turned thanks, and L. Ii. Van Doom. his
nephew. spoke in his behalf Remarks
were also made by Dr. Holton Mr.. Ill
man read letters from two nephews A r.
Howard, a lawyer of Portsmouth. \. H..
and Albert Harvey of Boston
None of their children were present, but
letters aud tokens of remembrance were
received from them all-Mrs. f. Y. Brack
EFT, Methuen, Mass. Albert j. Simonds,
Newark, Ohio; Geo. T. Simonds, Mays
vile, Ky, and Fred r. Simonds, Hartford,
Conn. Mr.. aud Mrs. Simonds's grandchil-
dren and great grandchildren we're presens.
Congratulatory letters were also received
from many relatives and friends The
whole number Of people who called dur
ing the afternoon and evening was over
300, and at least one half partook Of the
supper.
An original poem was read 10y Mr.. q A
Hines, of which the following are the clos
ng stanzas:
Many round of season S measure
JOY has been your welcome guest
Preferred from her store of treasure
Strength 10 help your mystic quest.
Close beside yonr lives thus frrighted.
bther lives have lourntyrd long;
And, with kindred burdens weighted
Steinnled with you the current strong.
Here they give you kindly greeting,
Sighting nov the further shorr:
Trust, as years shall he more heeting
That your hope increase It's store
Father, on this cyclr golden,
Let Thy blessed peace descend
he from them no light withuldrn
As their way shall onward tend