Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28
VENERABLE BRIDE AND GROOM.
Golden Wedding of Mr.. and Mrs.
Peter Smith, Of Scotland Neck.

SCOTLAND NECK, N. c., December
27.-(Special)-On last Tuesday night Mr..
and Mrs. Peter E. Smith celebrated their
golden wedding. Fifty years ago Ct, th 4 :,
father, Mr.. Whitmel H. Hill. who lived
about five miles from Scotland Neck
Only two of the bridesmaids are now
livng-N1iss Anne Sprull, Of Roxobel,
Of the groomsmen. Captain a: B: Hill, OF
this place. and brother of the bride,
Mr.. Smith is 70 years old and Mrs
Smith is y. and few people have as many
Their golden wedding was beautiful
aston and all told nearly two hundred
people were present. The bride and
groom under a marriage bell of ever
green's girted three times around with
yellow chrysanthemums: received their
guests. who showered them with warm
congratulations and many good wishes,
and hopes for ripe old age. The mouse
decorations were quite pretty and elabo-
rate. Noticeable among these we're two
wreaths of evergreens. bound about by
gold and suspended one above the other:
Across the upper wreath, in letters OF
gold. was 1852" and across the lower
wreath. in gold. was 1902 Entwined in
the decorations all around were punches
of mistletoe and other settings to make 1t
all quite beautiful. Across the hall In a
parlor opposite the reception room OF the
bride and groom were displayed the
hundred OF these. rich and costly and
all in gold. which spoke eloquently of tn,
popularity of the aged coupe and the
love which their hosts Of friends bear
tiful Brides roses and maiden-ha fern:
sent by their friend Mr.. Thomas. Of
Columbia. S. c.
The dining hall was scene OF rare
elegance The table IN the centre was
decorated In colors of gold. Around the
table was a garland of ivy and yellow
roses, fastened at the four corners with
bows of gold. In the centre was pyra-
mid of yellow roses and smilaX: on either
side silver candelabra which were used
at the original wedding fifty years ago.
daintiest of lilies. fruits. and what ever
else could be used to make the table at
tractive
To the strains OF the wedding march.
| rendered by Miss Lizzie Hyman. Mr.. and
! Mrs. Smith led the way to the dining
ROOM where they seated themselves at
one end of the table with their youngest
grandctild between them. The guests
were arranged in groups Of four at small
table around the dining-room. The sup
per was served in three Courses-salads
and sandwiches, tied with golden rib
bons. cream and cake, and coffee. Sup
per was served three hours-from 8 to Il
oclock-and the young people in the
Cottage Home Academy hard by on the
grounds of the dwelling engaged in the
pleasures of the dance until the wee s1na'
hours.
| There were many unique features about
the house of the aged couple. On the
mantel in the parlor was a teacup OF
| Mr.. Smiths. handed down from his great
srsat-grandfather. and which is more
than a hundred years old. There were
also two chairs which have been in the
family for more than a hundred years
Hanging above the collection of their
! presents were the photographs of Mr.
and Mrs. Smith. taken at the time OF
their marriage. and marked '1s52.' On
the wall hung also photograph of Mr.
Smith made in New York in 1851. on the
very day Of the first firing at Fort Sum
ter.
One is struck with the devotion of the
home to the South's great cause by see
| ing on the wall of the sitting-room a
hardsome portrait Of stonewa1l Jackson
The youngest daughter. Miss Nan Hill
Smith. was foremost in receiving the
| guests. She was assisted by Misses Re
hecca Smith, Lizzie Lyman, and Nannis
Hill.