In my e-book "Round is the Ring" I included the wedding story of Sarah Stubbs and Jacob Swayne. Sarah Stubbs made a block in the Chester Criswell Quilt and she married Jacob on 24th January 1857. The couple's honeymoon included a lot of snow and sleigh rides, and was re-told at their 50th wedding anniversary in 1907.
They
were married at the home of the bride’s parents in Peach Bottom Township, York
County. At the time both were members of
Fawn Grove meeting, York County. On the day of the wedding the country was
deeply snowbound and the blockaded roads made traveling unsafe and impossible. About 50 people had been invited to the
wedding, but only ten succeeded in reaching the house. Outside of the immediate members of the
Stubbs family three of the ten guests referred to at the wedding are living:
Elizabeth Stubbs of Delta, widow of Vincent G. Stubbs; Hannah Stubbs of Kennett
Square, widow of Reuben Stubbs; Mrs. William Moore of York. Three brothers of Mrs. Swayne, who were
present, are also living – Daniel and Thomas Stubbs, residing on the old
homestead, Dr. Henry Stubbs of Wilmington.
The wedding journey was so different
in travel compared with the present day of swift and comfortable transportation
that we give some of the important points for the edification of this
generation of brides and grooms. The
following morning Jacob and his bride in a sleigh behind a pair of willing
mules, started and drove across the frozen Susquehanna to Peach Bottom. They were accompanied by Albert Stubbs and
Phebe Hickman and Reuben and Hannah Stubbs, all in sleighs. Near Cherry Hill Albert’s sleigh broke
down. While repairs were making in
Wakefield the party stopped for two hours in the store which John and Samuel
Wilkinson kept in the village. Below
Wakefield there is a spring and close to it Albert’s sleigh upset, he and his
friend alighting in the snow. Through
fields and across roads the party continued on their toilsome way. At nightfall they reached Oak Hill and
inquiring about the roads were advised not to go any further. They decided to remain over night at the home
of Nathan Haines, nearby. Driving
carefully down the long lane they reached the house at a late hour and called
Mr. Haines out, who received them in a friendly manner and entertained them
until morning. Of the large family at
this homestead at the time – ten persons in all – but one is now living,
Elizabeth L. Brinton, Oxford, who has a vivid recollection of the event.
Amid the unlimited expanse of snow a
start was made next morning and Russellville reached by noon, the party
stopping for an hour or two. As the Limestone
road was fence-top full of snow the party drove through fields, going by way of
Faggs Manor to the White Horse. At
Joseph Pennock’s, the other side of the latter place, the drifts were immense
and by permission of Mr. Pennock, Jacob sawed a panel out of a new fence in
order to drive through his yard. Doe Run
was reached by dark, then Unionville and on through field and roads to
Willowdale before nine o’clock – the home of Jacob’s parents.
In
conclusion Mr. Swayne tells us he and his wife spent about ten days at the home
of his parents. They then started for
York County, Albert Stubbs and lady accompanying. The party stopped at the home of Samuel
Passmore, near Chrome. Mrs. Passmore is
a sister of Mrs. Swayne. Next day the
party resumed their travel on runners, the roads in more passable condition,
Mr. Passmore and wife having joined them.
All drove to Peach Bottom and proceeded in their sleighs over the frozen
river to York County. This statement is
made to show that the Susquehanna was frozen over that winter, another paper
having said that it was not.
It's a wonderful story. And this is the last post for 2018. I hope you join me again in 2019, there are some changes afoot and some nice surprises. Merry Christmas!
