The Washington herald., 1916-05-01
YOUR WEDDING DAY
AND
THE FAMOUS MEN AND WOMEN
WHO HAVE SHARED 1T.
BY MARY MARSHALL.
May William T. Sherman, Joseph
Jefferson, Edward IV, and
Elizabeth Woodville.

When William r. Sherman married Ell
len Boyle Ewing slxty-six years ago II is
said that more than one Washingtonian
deplored the fact that SO charming and
accomplished a girl should have wasted
her brilliant matrimonial chances by
throwing herself away upon an unknown
lieutenant" She was the daughter OF
Senator Ewing, later Secretary Of the
Interior, and the young lieutenant had
met her when visiting in his old home In
Lancaster, Ohio, on furlough. The
wedding ceremony took place in Senator
Ewing's homa on Pennsylvania Avenue
in Washington.
Had Sherman never become the cele-
brated general that he later was. the
wedding would still have been memorable
in the annals of Washington society. for
1t was attended by President Taylor.
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and Thomas
H. Benton. The young officers heart
beat with pride not only because OF this
distinguished assembly, but because he
had won for his own one OF the most
charming young women OF the Capital
Probably no king OF England ever mar
ried more romantically than did Edward
". when he took for his bride Elizabeth
Woodville. And probably no English
woman ever more completely ensnared
the heart OF a king than did this widow
OF Sir John Grey.
She was the daughter of Earl Rivers.
who was reputed to be the handsomest
man in England, and from him she de-
rived a strong ambition and a deep love
OF chivalry. combined with intense per
sonal pride and self respect She was the
eldest Of seven sons and six daughters.
Elizabeth married Sir John Grey and
after the birth of two sons. Thomas and
Richard. she was left a widow with al
most no means. In order to benefit her
self and give herself some advantages OF
court life, she became one OF the four
ladies Of the bedchamber Of the royal
household.
Certain lands had been left to her. but
the greedy agentS Of the kind had taken
these almost entirely away. Relying on
her tact, eloquence and, mayhap, upon
her beauty, she went in person to the
king in behalf of her two sons for the
restoration OF her property. The king
was fascinated at first sight and. all too
like the kings of his day. his first thought
was to make dishonorable advances to-
ward this woman who had taken his
fancy. Had Elizabeth been OF weaker
mould than she was, she would have
yielded. for in those days almost no dis
grace was attached to royal favoritism
prompted by the desire she felt to give
her sons the advantages OF obtaining
their property. However. Elizabeth with
stood the kings advances.
II Edward had been infatuated at first,
he was completely in love at this unex-
pected turn of affairs. He had never
even imagined a woman Of the stamp OF
this Elizabeth Woodville-beautiful, fas-
cinating. a trifle coquettsh. proud. poor,
yet absolutely incorporating. Without
consulting his advisers who. he knew,
woul discourage him at once. he proposed
marriage to Elizabeth. who was by nc
means of proper rank to become queen
of England. And on May day, 1854 they
were secretly married. AS an old chroni-
cler says. mo one was present but the
parties themselves. the Duchess Of Bed
ford. the priest two gentlemen and a
young man to help the priest sing
The first marriage OF Joseph JEFFERSON
occurred sixty-seven years ago today
His bride was an actress. Miss Lockyer.