- Four hundred eighty five guests were among the number to congratulate this venerable couple. Mrs. Elliott had for twenty-five years been an acknowledged minister of the gospel, according to the rules of the Quaker church, and traveled over 100,000 miles, visiting twenty-seven states, and attended all the yearly meetings on the Continent except North Carolina. She was a guest of the White House during the Grant Administration.
-------------------------------------------
On Saturday, June 28, 1879, the writer and several others of Marysville, attended the golden wedding of John J.Elliott and Mary S. Elliott, at their home near Zanesfield, Logan county, Ohio. Such occurences should be noted since they seldom take place. Few married couples reach the 50th mile post in wedded life; while the vast majority of the human family never see fifty years of age. But it has pleased our heavenly Father to spare to a good old are the venerated pair just named. Both are members of the Society of Friends, much esteemed and beloved by all their neighbors and by all, near and far, that know them.
They came to Logan county from the Eastern part of the Stae, in 1841, settled into the woods ahd have resided ever since on the farm now occupied by them. On the day of these festivities the weather was somewhat showery, and may have kept away a few of the ingested guests, but the magnitude of the affair may be estimated from the fact, that someone counted 100 vehicles and 150 horses and 485 guests. These were not all bretheren of their own church order, but largely composed of members of other churches, as Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians and some that have no visible church connection. All mingled together in delightful harmony and Christian friendship, and seemed to view with each other in seeing who could show the most respect and affection to John and Mary Elliott.
At noon, more than 200 of the company were seated at one time around the tables erected for the entertainment in the front door yard.
A bountiful dinner was served them, and others, again, were fed till the large assembly were rickly feasted upon the fat things of the land, and yet there were remaining several baskets full, not of fragments, but unbroken bounties. After dinner, the guests assembled in the front yard with the aged bride and groom seated in their midst, when Rev. Luther Smith, pastor of Zanesfield Presbyterian church read the 103rd Psalm, offered parayer and made some appropriate remarks. then Rev. Wm. G. March, of Marysville, on behalf of the donors, in a brief speech made a formal presentation of the numerous and valuable gifts contributed by the assembled friends.
Next in order, was the reading of an original poem by Abbie Rilla Cowgill, of Mingo, Ohio. After that, a historical essay by Hannah Blackburn, of Zanesfield, Ohio. And then, another essay by Eli Cowgill, of Mingo, on Christian Unity and Love. All these papers were of a high order, very appropriate and entertaining; and elicited a feeling and beautiful response from sister, Mary Elliott.
About this time, Judge Lawrence, of Bellefontaine, was discovered in the crowd, and expressed his congratulations to the aged couple, and illustrated the worth of a good woman in the abundant labors of Mary Elliott and her influence in Logan county, in giving shape and character to the high moral and religious toner of the citizens of this county. As a further illustration of what a noble Christian woman may be, a few facts here may be drawn from the historical essay read by Mrs. Blackburn.
It gives in some detail some family affairs that cannot here be narrated, but it confirms a fact often noted, that God finds persons to do His work, and will propare and train them for it. Losses, trials, hardships of various kinds, and a protracted sickness of seven years was the school of Providence appointed for the education of Mary Elliott, and to fasten upon her the irrepressible conviction that she must preach to gospel to all the world.
" As soon as returning health would permit, and according to the rules of the Quaker Church, "she was acknowledged a minister of the gospel. Since which time she has traveled one hundred thousand miles, visited twenty-seven different states and the principal cities therein. Has been at St. Louis three times. She has attended all the Yearly Meetings on this continent (except North Carolina) and attended most of the meetings belonging to these at the time. She was liberated by her friends to attend a North Carolina meeting during the war, and proceeded as far as Baltimore. Friends there were so fearful of the consequences attendant upon civil ware, that they urgently entreated her not to go farther. She yielded to their persuasions, wishing to be in submission to her friends, and they taking the responsibility; though the officers and soldiers kindly offered her a military escort. Since then, she has never flet called to visit Friends in the North Carolina Yearly Meeting. She has visited many prisons and penitentaries, and preached glad tidings to those incarcerated therein. When Grant was President, she visited him at the White House in the company with another Friend; had a season of devotion with him. He received her very cordially and said after receiving her message, that since being placed in so responsible a position, he feld more than ever before the need of being a Christian. During these years of service, she has ofter spend much time from home, and her who was so deprived of her help and society during these long years of affliction, has since spent many lonely hours doubtless while caring for home, and industriously striving to provide for their temporal needs. After submitting to her call to service from home, he has manifested much patience and doubtless as he continues faithful, will share in the welcome plandit, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
The essay from which these liberal extracts have been taken is replete with interesting matter. Its closing sentences are: "The prayers of these friends (Mr. and Mrs. Elliott) have been for some time past, that this festive occasion may be such a gathering as will glorify God; and that noghting would efver occur in any way to dishonor the Christian religion."
The writer of these lines mingled quite freely in the company, and was a close observer of all that came within his sight, and he is free to say, that he never saw in such a gathering, better order, more genuine cheerfulness and higher Christian deportment, and he believes, that this dear good old couple had an abundant answer to their prayers; and in the remaining alloted years of their earthly pilgrimage, their heart will gather fresh gladness by the joyous recollections of the congratulations and benedictions of Christian friends assembled on this happy occasion.
Visitor
Printed in the Marysville [OH] Tribune, July 9, 1879
|
Notes |
- JOHN J. ELLIOTT, farmer; P. O., Zanesfield, was born April 20, 1809, in Washington Co., Penn.; his parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (John) Elliott. She was a. native of Pennsylvania, he of Ireland. They moved to Stark Co., O., 1810, where John J.. was raised. His father run a mill and carried on a farm, and was quite a successful man. At the age of 22 John was united by marriage to Mary S Stanley, who was born July, 1812, in Columbiana Co., this State, and was a daughter of Garland and Sarah (Pardon) Stanley, both natives of Virginia. In 1841 Mr. and Mrs. Elliot located in Jefferson Tp., where he had purchased 100 acres, which he improved. He had learned the carpenter's trade, and replied this vocation quite successfully for several years in connection with his farming, finally adding to his first purchase 75 acres more. Three children have been born to them, but two are living-Garland. born Dec. 18, 1832, and married Matilda Dunlap, a native of Ohio; he died May 8, 1874. She and four children live in this township on the property he left. James, born Aug. 8, 1835, and married Caroline East, a native of Indiana; they live in Cass Co., Mich.; Joseph, born Aug. 11, 1837, married Ann Lemmon, a native of Maryland; they live on their farm adjoining the homestead. June 28, 1879, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott celebrated their golden wedding, having worn the matrimonial yoke pleasantly for one-half-a century. Four hundred and eighty-five guests were among the number to congratulate this venerable couple. Mrs. Elliott has for twenty-five years been an acknowledged minister of the gospel, according to the rules of the Quaker Church, and has traveled over 100,000 miles, visiting twenty-seven States, and has attended all the yearly meetings on the Continent, except North Carolina, and has been a guest at the White House during Gen. Grant's administration; in short, she has been instrumental in doing much good, and doubtless will have many stars in her crown in the day of her rejoicing. This honorable couple are spending the evening of their life on the home farm in peace and quiet, enjoying the esteem and love of their many friends.
From: History of Logan County and Ohio (O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, 186 DEARBORN STREET, CHICAGO, 1880)
|