John Place Spencer was the son of Jonathan and Molly Jones Spencer married Electa (Ellen) Miriam
Beach the daughter of Juno and Hannah Ingraham
Beach.
This is the story of J. P and Ellen Spencer’s 50th
wedding anniversary that was published in the Berea Grindstone Advertiser.
There were two separate articles in the paper:
GOLDEN
WEDDING
An
Anniversary Gathering that
will
long be remembered
Monday afternoon
there were gathered a company of relatives and near friends to celebrate the
completion of half a century of wedded life Mr. and Mrs. John P Spencer, at
their residence in Rockport. Fifty years
ago that very day John P Spencer claimed as his bride Ellen Beach, and snugly
tucked her in the “jumper” bore her to his home, which as the years rolled on
expanded to make room for those who came to enlarge their household. Following the bride and groom was an ox team
and sled, bearing the household goods if this new establishment. At the setting
of the sun they took possession of their new home, and now that fifty years
have come and gone, in the light of another sunset the groom relates the story
of his wedding day. All of the six children, whose homes surround the parental
one, were present with eleven grandchildren.
Two long tables, twice filled , supplied
the delicacies and substantials of life, and received due attention from
all. Then all gathered round the bride and groom, seated before the old
fireplace, and heard the events of a half of a century ago by those whose
pleasure it was to remember them. Mr. and Mrs. Amos Spencer sang in the
sweetest tones to their father and mother “Toddlin Doon the Brae,” after which
Mr. Donaldson read a congratulatory address prepared by P*. Beach, a brother of
Mrs. Spencer’s. After referring to their
long and happy companionship, Mr. Beach wrote, “Now they are nearly alone in
the world they have blessed; gone are the playmates who spent with them life’s
morning hours; gone the youthful companions whose happy presence sent the warm
blood to their cheeks. The home nest is
still preserved from when whence the children have flown, and they are all
settled around them. Nearly all there generation has departed, and they are
left like an oak in the field where all the forest has been cleared away. In the gathering twilight of age the sweet
faith of childhood returns; the doubts and fears of adult life are forgotten,
and the artlessness of life’s dawn returns to bless the declining years. The outward ear has grown heavy, but an inward
sense hears the tread of an angels’ feet along the land which borders life’s darkness.”
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer again sang this time the selection was
entitled; “When We are Old and Gray.”
Mr. Laurel Beebe made a few happy remarks; Mrs. J. B
Cahoon, in the behalf of her husband, whose infirm condition would not permit
his sharing the joyful occasion with his friends, congratulated the host and
hostess, saying she had a few months since celebrated her golden anniversary,
and well knew the feelings of those who observe this day with festivities. Mrs.
William Hurd, in a very beautiful and touching manner referred to the evening of
life, “At Eventide it shall be Light,” and all who had felt the influence of the
lives of these friends, realized the richness of the afterglow which surrounds
them, made golden and bright by their usefulness, generosity and friendliness.
The same voices sand “Gently Down the Stream of Time”
after which a granddaughter, Miss. Mabel Potts, repeated and original poem
written for the occasion.”
The happy old couple were the recipients of many valuable
presents.
* Philo Beach
This came from a Scrap book made by Edith Knoblock, daughter
of Edith Beach, that is in the Frostville Museum Archives
This is an exact copy of the prose that was used in 1882.
There is another article that contains a list of the guests and their gifts in this scrapbook.
