Person Page - 269

1957 Briefs - February 8 - Married 75 Years
It has long been observed that people bearing the Jessup name have achieved something of a record for long living, and, for them, the old three score and ten, which the majority of us are lucky to ever reach, is just another birthday. But in the case of Mr. and Mrs. William Jessup, an anniversary which they observed on December 24th (sic) last is surely one of note, for, on that day, they looked back on seventy-five years of happy and faithful married life. Mr. Jessup was born in Grattan, and, on July 10th last year, was 95 years old. His wife, who was formerly Caroline Louisa Smallpiece, was born in Brudenell township on December 24th. 1881, and were the first settlers to take up farming in the Quadeville section of Lyndoch township, clearing their land, building their home and drawing water a distance of two miles from the Madawaska River. Despite their advanced years, both are experiencing reasonably good health, and the fact that their eyesight is not quite as keen as it used to be is all that keeps Mrs. Jessup from her knitting and Mr. Jessup from his bushwork.⁹

ACTUAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE READS:

This is to certify that MERIT C. JACKSON of DEARBORN CO. in the State of INDIANA and AMANDA LEMING of SAME COUNTY in the State of INDIANA were by me joined together in Holy Matrimony on the TENTH day of AUGUST in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and FIFTY-THREE.

Signed: G. M. WINCHESTER, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
In the Presence of: JOHN JACKSON, SARAH LEMING
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GOLDEN WEDDING OF MERRIT CRAIG AND AMANDA LEMING JACKSON

Merit and Amanda celebrated their 50th wedding aniversary on Wednesday, the 12th of August 1903 at their home near Bright, IN. The day opened bright and beautiful and at an early hour the neighborhood was astir with preparations for the joyous event, guests continued to arrive until the noon hour, and after congratulating the host and hostess, spent the time in pleasant converse.

A table 5 ft. in width and 100 ft. in length had been erected in front of the residence, above which had been stretched a covering of canvas for protection from the rays of the sun. Upon this immense structure was piled the provisions prepared for the occasion until the boards fairly groaned from the weight. To this veritable feast was invited the 200 assembled guests. In the center was placed the bride's cake, a mammoth cylinder of sweetness surmounted by Golden hearts and inscribed "Merit-Amanda 1853-1903" in front of this were seated the bride and groom, closely attended by those who had known Mr. & Mrs. Jackson longest and most intimately.

The Divine blessing was invoked by Rev. F. B. Stearns of the Bright Presbyterian Church and the feast began and was long continued until every person present was uncomfortably filled, and still there was plenty and to spare.

The table cleared, Rev. L. M. Buckley of the Harrison Christian Church and Rev. F. B. Stearns of Bright gave addresses appropriate to the occasion, after which Leonard L. Jackson, who had photographed the table with its burden of good things, took a second picture of the family, relatives and friends.

Merit Jackson, son of Enoch Winchester Jackson, Esq. (1804-1874) and Elizabeth "Betsy" White Jackson (1809-1874) was born February 26, 1830, the eldest of a family of 11 children. Amanda was of a family of 10 children. Mrs. Mary A. Wainwright born January 27, 1818 was the eldest guest present, she attended the birth, wedding and golden wedding of the host. She later attended Merit's funeral a few months after Merit's Golden Wedding Aniversary. Mrs. Mary Caler, born May 7, 1825 had the second place of honor by virture of her age.

Miss Amanda Grubbs of Lawrenceburg contributed to the humor of the occasion by manipulating a graphaphone.

Mrs. J. W. Jackson at the organ, accompanied by W.S. Caler on the violin, and Mrs. W. S. Caler on the bass violin furnished appropriate music.

Charles Sutton, Enoch W. Jackson, and Charles Hey pitted against Thomas Gibson, John Bodle and R. N. Hargitt enjoyed a game of old-fashioned horseshoes.

The worthy couple received many appropriate presents among which was some $70.00, mostly in gold.
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Ref: GENEALOGY OF THE JOHN JACKSON FAMILY, compiled and printed by Alta Mae Jackson Hart, 1975; Original Marriage license is framed and in the possession of Doris Della McConnehey Baltich Frame as of February 2000.¹

Survivor(s): Mrs. J. L. Bowman, Mrs. E. L. Barrineau, Dr. Charles Nowlin, Mrs. M. L. Taylor and Mrs. Gerald Morris.¹²

Survivor(s): Delbert Luloff and Howard Jessup. Predeceased: Delbert Jessup and Lavern Jessup.³