Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-10-07
IN OLD VIRGINIA WEDDING
Recollections of a Woman Who
4 is Now a Grandmother.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

SOUlHERlN HOOfllALll
Arrival of the Bridegroom and His
s.cavalcade- e-Journey of the Bridal
Procession to the Brides New
Home-Three Days of merrymak-
ing as a, Welcome.
aHow did rich people marry in your
time" asked young woman OF a
stately woman who is grandmother,
who, like herself, was guest at a
recent noted wedding. And the grand
mother, who comes from Virginia, told
this story:
..Your grandfather was the richest
young man in the country, and had
fortune of my own. The day of our
marriage he came on horseback to my
home.
"He was attended by his young
friends, each of whom rode white
horse. They wore high. white hats,
white silk knee breeches and white
silk hosiery. Their shoes were adorn-.
ed with great buckles.
.sThey came up the long lane which
led to the great lawn in front Of my
home and their coming was quite like
q pageant This calvalcade was fol-
lowed by a large unmber of slaves,
the property of your grandfather.
They were also mounted; there was
one; slave for each of your grand
fathers. friends.
when your grandfather reached the
entrance to the lawn he dismounted
and was met by my father. AS each
attendant dismounted he was present
ed by your grandfather to my father,
and the procession moved up the great
walk to the wide portico of our home.
There they were seated and served
with such refreshments as all South
ern gentlemen dispense to their
guests.
.'The attendants were conducted to
various apartments to make ready for
the event of the day. When your
grandfather had been cared for by lis
special servant, he descended into the
great family room and paid his most
distinguished respects to my mother.
who, at that moment, both by reason
of her stateliness and splendor would
have been a noticeable parsonage at
any court function.
After this brief interview my mo-
ther withdrew and came to me in my
chamber. She was accompanied by
my father. They bestowed upon me
their most affectionate attention. Then
the minister. the Bishop of the State,
came in and laid his hands upon me
as he had done when l was confirmed
by him, and as knelt before him he
gave me his blessing.
My bridesmaids were then admit
ted, and after each had kissed my
hand all withdrew. My brothers and
sisters then came in and we had lit
tie reunion. Then came my maid, MY
old black nanny and her husband,
the latter venerable hostler.
They bowed before me, as slaves
in those days were accustomed to do
before while people, and in leaving me
those dear old black people wept as if
they never expected to see me again.
Then came the other slaves of the
plantation in couples, in genufexion.
The discarded wardrobes of the family
were seen in that procession.
Then I. was left alone for few
minutes-all alone. In that time
bowed devoutly, and in that attitude
my father came in and found me. l
arose and he conducted me to The
great salon below.
The ceremony Of my marriage was
much the same as that observed to-
day. Our Church has not deviated
from its ,eerimonials in such affairs.
however 1t may have been tempted to
change some of its rubrics.
"a wedding breakfast followed.
There was no music before or after.
tine ceremonies. After the breakfast
was conducted to my mothers old fam.
lily room and there under her direc-
ton my wedding gown was changed
to a riding habit.
LAS I passed out your grandfather
met me and conducted ne to the old
stile block at lie entrance of, the lawn.
It was covered with honeysuckle.
Beside it stood the most beautiful
animal that money and thorough
knowledge Of blooded stock could pro-
cure. o
"The saddle was of white silk; the
outfit was caparisoned fit for queen.
My black mammy's old husband was
the hostler. do not know which
seemed to be the proudest, that old
slave or the beautiful horse which
awaited my coming,
THE attendants whom I had watch
ed a short time before stood uncover
ed while your grandfa :her lifted me
into the saddle as lightly as if 1 had
been feather. He was in his saddle
a moment later, and then his friends
mounted with the precision Of trained
cavalry. The bridal procession began
KS journey.
1T was several miles to the home of
our grandfather. That journey came
as near being triumphal as any of
which 1 evef dreamed. 1t was holi.
day all along the course. The road
was lined by slaves, most of whom
were dressed in white, and as we
passed they bent to the earth, which
was scattered with flowers.
THAT is how the rich people mar
ried in my time. my child, in that
blessed State which we call the Old
Dominion"
All-over embroidered morning crepe
Ia the latest concession to the rage for