Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-08-20
For the oxford Democrat.
A MAINE BACKSuDlNG BRIDEGROOM
r,rNr Nc Tue ACT HENTtlRX

ELECT OF THE LAST CENTURY.
In the year 1916 Andrew Pepperrell
only son of Sir William Pepperrell o.
Kittery (the hero Of Louisburg), ant
Hannah Waldo, daughter OF Genera
Samuel Waldo OF Boston, became en-
gagged to be married.
General Waldo and Sir William Pep.
perrell were devoted friends, and the
projected matrimonial alliance OF theiT
two families was very gratifying to them
both, while the conspicuous social posi-
ton Of the families made the engage
ment quite celebrated. Sir William
gave his son fortune, and with por'
| ton of IL the later built beautiful house
at kittery for his intended bride. The
marriage was, to the great chagrin oi
both families, several times delayed
through various pretexts on Andrew
part, until finally, In December, l1oO'
the year before Andrews death, (st the
age of 25), the day for the wedding was
appointed, invitations extended and
everything got in readiness, when Han
nah received letter from the bride
groom-elect asking another postponment
for a short time and assigning day more
convenient to himself. This proved too
much for the high-spirited Hannah 10
bear; her mind was from that moment
firmly fixed. She made no reply to
Andrews request, but on the appointed
day, when all the guests had assemble d
and the minister was ready to perform
the ceremony, she enjoyed the sweet re-
venge Of turning upon the unsuspecting
Andrew and informing him that all was
at an end between them.
This sudden and dramatic termination
OF the four-years engagement between
the two lovers caused much comment 10
the fashionable world, and General
Waldo. who was in Europe at the time,
(his wife died several years before, },
and Andrews parents were much dis
tressed over the affair, but Andrew and
Hannah seemed easily consoled: the
former at once entering into all the
gayeties OF Portsmouth life, and the
latter being led TO the alter less than ak
weeks later by Thomas Fucker, the last
royal secretary Of Massachusetts,.
Lucy Fucker, daughter Of the latter
couple, showed that she inherited the
independent spirit OF her mother by
marrying Henry Knox in spite OF the
opposition of her Tory parents. Lucy
was considered the bell Of Massachusetts.
and, when she betrayed an attachment
for Knox, who was then poor book
seller, and was, moreover, an officer In
the provincial Militia, her parents were
greatly incensed, and her father told her
that she must choose between her famil =
aud her lover. The family, taking the
Tory side In the Revolution, left the
country and went TO England when the
British evacuated Boston In March, l11b.
The lovers, who had been joined In we'd
lock in June, l77i, had together escaped
from Boston while II was In the posses
sion of the British.
Mrs. Knox followed her husband
through all the campaign Of the Revolu-
tions her spirit and gayety encouraging
the soldier TO endure hardships which
they saw her bear with patience. Not
ONLY General Knox. her husband, but
General Washington, relied upon her
judgement in affairs OF moment, while In
social and ceremonial matters she was
the arbiter in the army, and afterwards
the chief adviser of Mrs. Washington In
New York and Philadelphia when Gen
eral Knox was secretary of War in Pres
ident wsshingtou's cabinet. She grew
corpulent, like her husband, but her
activity never abated, and her conver-
sational talents and power OF manage
ment gave her great influence in social
and POLITICAL circles. After General
Knox had retired TO private life, he and
Madam Knox, as she was usually called,
continued 10 exercise liberal hospital
ity, frequently entertaining a hundred
guests at their home at Thomaston, the
mansion being on an estate which Mrs.
Knox inherited from her maternal grand
father, General Samuel Waldo.