The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-03
TiLGHMAN-- MERcER.
A Brilliant Marriage Celebrated Hap
pity in Edgecombe County.

tiful that its memory will ever linger
with us-was celebrated on Wednesday at
noon, January 9th, 1904, at Temperance
Hall Methodist Episcopal church, the an
cestral place of worship of the Mercer
family of Edgecombe, which was built
near century ago by John Mercer, Esq,
the great grandfather of the bride, and
Is yet owned by the family Dr. William
Parker Mercer, one of Edgecombes most
prominent physicians and honored sons,
on this occasion gave his eldest daughter,
Miss Margaret in marriage to Mr. Theo-
dore Clyde Tilghman. He is the only
son OF Capt. F. w. Tilghman, of Mllson.
n. c., and represents one of the oldest and
most distinguished families of Maryland
being descended from Gen. Tench Thigh
man, of Revolutionary fame.
The groom has charge of the Dennis
Simmons Lumber Plant, near Elm City,
n. c., and has hosts of friends. The
bride is young woman of charming per-
sonaGty and unusual grace. Their many
friends throughout the State, unite il
wishing for them a life replete with joy.
The doors at West End" the hospit-
able home of Dr. and Mrs Mercer were
open wide to kindred and friends. On
Tuesday evening, after rehearsal at the
church. delightful reception was given
to the bridal party. Palms and tradins
fern, added to the beauty of the halls and
parlors. Great clusters of waxen narcissus
shed their fragrance everywhere. We'd
nesday morning dawned bright and beau
tlful and guests from distance rested
IN this beautiful home for a short while
before preceding the bridal party to the
church We were not prepared for the
vision which greeted us as we entered
this old and sacred ediflce. We stepped
out OF the world into Fairyland Daylight
had folded her wings and fled. and the
soft glow of twilight pervaded the in
terror. Across the chancel and extending
into the alcove beyond, was a graduated
dais covered with a snowy carpet, lead
ing to this from the center and side aisles
were white steps, on either side of which
stately palms lifted their soft fronds 10
the garlands of green which draped the
walls and run riot over windows and
about the chancel. Sixteen poited arche>
OF white, outlined with pink and white
waxen tapers, gave the aspect of a nina
ture cathedral. The organ banked with
brides roses and ferns and draped with
white, was in the alcove in the rear of
the dals, above it a beautiful soft can
opy of sea green. Just in front, near
the steps, was the rose and fern covered
altar at which the happy couple plighted
their troth. Music by Prof Beals italian
orchestra, filed the church with tender
melody, as the friends assembled. The
beauty of the whole scene, the setting for
this unique gem of wedding, was due
Thn -, Ar
r. S. Wells of Elm City. N. c., the charm
ing aunt of the bride. Her labor was one
o. love. She presided at the organ, and
as the wedding cortege appeared, skillfully
rendered the bridal chorus from Lohen
grin. First, came the minister, pastor OF
the! church, Rev j. H. Buffaloe He was
followed by the ushers in the following
order: Mr.. George Stronach and Mr..
James Whitehead of Wilson, N. G. Mr..
Ernest Tnghman and Mr.. II. CT White CT
of Norfolk and Mr.. John Mercer Daugh-
try of Rocky Mt, n. c., these came I'D
the center aisle, crossed in front of the
dais, and ascending the side steps, grouped
themselves about the altar Then entered
the groom with his best man, Mr.. Horace
Tilghman of South Carolina, joined the
little ribbon girls-Misses Harriet Sim
sisters of the bride and groom. They I'M
tied the ribbons at the center arch, and
bringing them up the aisle, each took
her place, one one either side of the altar
steps The bridesmaids, in exquisite gowns
of white silk null over taffeta, carrying
gerat clusters of bridesmaids roses, came
he IL ell
first bridesmaids, Miss Mamie Tilghman,
with Miss Fannie Brodie, both of Wilson
N. c., Miss Alma Marsh. of Monroe N.
C., with Miss Elizabeth Jones of War
renton, N. c., these went UP the side
steps, across the dais and descending in
front of the altar, formed an aisle where
they awaited the bride. She was pre-
coded by her sister Miss Mary Mercer
her maid of honor, who wore a charminp
gown of pink tissue over pink taffeta and
carried huge cluster of brides roses. The
bride came next, with her father. She
wore lovely creation of hand embroid
cred crepe de chene. trimmed with old
lace. Her long wedding veil was caught
with cluster of pearls, the gift of the
groom. and fell in soft folds enveloping
her like a misty cloud. She carried
shower boquet of lilies of the valley. The
most graceful feature was. that the groom
descending the steps, went forward to
meet the bride down the aisle of flower
decked maidens. Here she was released
by her father, and together they assembled
to the altar and kRelt for a moment on
the satin cushions while the bridesmaids
clustered about them. With the beautiful
ring service of the church, they plighted
their troth. ITO have and to hold till
death do us part" All the while the
orchestra filled the church with melody,
and at the close of the service the grand
old wedding march from Mendelssohn
pealed forth from the organ most joyous
~ The cortege passed out into the glo-
rious sunlight and the pastor in behalf
of DR. and Mrs. Mercer gracefully invited
the entire assembly to luncheon at West
End. After an informal reception there,
we followed the bridal party TO the din
ing room Behind the Palms, the Italian
orchestra made sweet music The table
was set to form ''T'' in honor of the
Tilghman family. The decorations We're
beautiful Here and there slender vases
held pink and white carnations-(the
brides favorite fowers) carrying out the
l,a1d