Tuesday, July 23, 2013

► Stylish Missionary Wedding: 1855

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Monday, January 19, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"

     The early missionary families formed a close circle of friends further cemented when their children attended Punahou school.

     The children became lifelong friends such as Mary Jane Chamberlain, daughter of Levis Chamberlain, and Abigail, daughter of Dr. Dwight Baldwin.

     When the girls were separated, they wrote letters relating the gossip and latest news to each other.

     The intense interest taken in each other's affairs is reflected in a letter written by Mary J. Chamberlain to "Dear Abbie" in May 1855.

     "I must be up betimes tomorrow, for I am going to help Anna C. make her last dress on her wedding list. This is her last week as Miss Clark - she is to be married Saturday eve'g in the annual meeting of the H(awaiian) M(ission) C(hildren's) Society.

INTERRUPTED
     The letter interrupted by the session of the General Meeting of the mission and resumed a week later. The young people being married were Orramel Gulick, son of Reverend P. J. Guilick and Anna Clark, daughter of Ephraim Clark.

     About the wedding - Anna is now no longer a girl like us - but a married woman. She did look sweet dressed in simple muslin which however was made elegantly.

     She had two skirts & the upper was looped up at .... with white satin ... text is unclear

     ...Reverend Mr. Strong. After it was through the bridal party sat down, & remained through the meeting allowing those who sat near to have a good view - the house was very full - 

     "Immediately after the bridal party left for Mr. Clark's - where a few friends were invited to stop in and present wedding  congratulations & eat cake. - Our family was one of the privileged & we spent fifteen to twenty minutes there."

     NEXT: Death of Lunalilo.

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