The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1906-12-28
Ten Pages.
HOME NEWS.
GOLDEN WEDDING.
OF MR. AND MRS r. A. CLARKE.

at Hawleyville, bringing with 1t the
50th anniversary of their marriage.
The wedding took place December
%, 1856, Rev Benjamin w. Stone OF
Trinity church officiating. The 50th
anniversary falling on Sunday, the
event was celebrated on Christmas day.
With the exception Of the first five
years spent at Stepney and Brookf1eld
Mr. and Mrs Clarke have spent their
married life in their present home.
Here Simeon Seeley Blackman, Mrs
Clarke's father, brought his wife, nee
Lucy Northrop, in 1878, and here six
of their seven daughters were born,
Mrs Clarke being the youngest. Five
of the seven lived to marry in or from
this home, and here three of Mr. and
Mrs Clarke's children were born. A
family gathering so complete has not
taken place in score of years, the
only member OF the immediate family
unable to be present being ason-in-law,
G. 81. Brush, recorder of the General
Land Office, Washington, D. @. The
commodious old time home, ever famed
for its hospitality, was never more in
viting than on this occasion, when the
flowers and mistletoe, wedding bells
and Christmas wreaths, breathed the
spirit of the happy occasion. The
wedding feast was served at o'clock
and nothing that tradition records for
the New England Christmas dinner
was missing from the menu-even the
homemade wine OF choice vintage was
there. and toasts to the bride and
groom were many.
The following was the loving tribute
offered by their daughter. Mrs Brush:
1856-1906.
It was near the blessed season
Fifty years this Christmas tide,
This home of precious memories holds
the story.
The wedding bells rang gaily,
And the sleigh bells chimed In too,
And earth wore raiment white with
frost gems hoary.
Obi the bride was fair and lovely,
Cheeks rose-tinted, gown blue-gray,
When her lord in flower of manhood
pledged devotion.
Glove and cherish" sang the sleigh
bells,
"Until death" the rector said,
While our loved ones gathered round
in fond devotion.
Thus it was the wedding journey
Fifty years ago began;
Every year blessed milestone record
ed,
Written by an angel hand,
Deeds of mercy-help to man,
Hospitality, good cheer, this home az
forded.
That Gods sunshine long may Hnger
On this golden bride and groom,
And in sunsets golden glow may day
declining,
Shed a benediction sweet,
Calling to the Masters feet,
And give life for life complete, blest
faith entwining.
Invitations bore the request, mo
gifts" Notwithstanding, gold and
silver, mahogany and numerous choice
membranes were received. Mr. and
Mrs Clarke received congratulations
under q wedding bell in the south par
lor, standing in the place where the
marriage ceremony was performed a
half century ago. Time IN it's flight
has left but few traces and more
youthful couple having passed three
score and ten can scarcely be found.
Not the least Of the happiness of the
near and dear gathered on this occa-
sion, arose from the fact that the joy
was unalloyed with any shadow of
pity for the usual intirmities of age.
There we're many messages OF con-
graduation from friends present in
thought only; among the number be-
ing Rev Clarence Hawley Beers Of
Madison, S. D., a grand nephew, and
Miss Mary Northrop of Bethel, who
was the bridesmaid of so years ago.
Mr. Clark was born in Zoar, Newtown,
and has been prominently connected
with the public life of the town, hav-
ing held many positions Of trust. He
represented Newtown in the State
Legislature in 1868.
Those present from out Of town we're
Mr. and Mrs M. B. Terrill of Ansonia,
Mrs G. II. Brush Of Washington, D. c.
Mr. and Mrs Herbert S. Clarke of
Brooklyn, N. Y, Misses Edna Clarke
Terrill and Elsie Sherman Brush OF
Vassar college, M. Clarke Terri]l of
Yale, Misses Helen and Grace Terrill
and Masters Herbert and Robert Ter.
rill of Ansonia, and Robert Judson
Clarke of Brooklyn, N. Y, children
and grandchildren Of Mr. and Mrs
Clarke; Mr. and Mrs F. W. Beers and
Miss Anna Beers of Brooklyn, Mr. and
Mrs w. F. Hurd OF Bridgeport, Mr. and
Mrs Leonard Seeley Smith, L. Beach
Clarke, Miss Jennie Clarke and Miss
Bertha Clarke of Bethel. Miss Esther
Andrews and Miss Cornelia Morehoust
of Brookfield; Mrs Ida E. Hawley Of
Hawleyville.
Benjamin Corning and family o.
Sandy Hook, George Quinn and family
of Shelton, Miss Eva Briscoe of Hunt
ington, Miss Jessie Briscoe and Henri!
Burhans all spent Christmas with MI
and Mrs E. D. Briscoe on Botsford Hill
Thomas, Edward and John Keane O
Bridgeport spent Christmas with thei
| aunt. Miss Nora Keane. at BotSford.