► 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.

► Maria P. Chamberlain's 1846 Journal

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Thursday, January 15, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"

     Bad health again forced Levi Chamberlain to take another recuperative sea voyage in 1846 and his wife Maria again kept a journal for his benefit.

     This time Mr. Chamberlain sailed in the Swallow, Captain John Dominis, for the China coast. 

"Honolulu January 3rd 1846
     "My Very Dear Husband, 
" -  I have baked the communion bread today and prepared the wine - It is three weeks since you left and I think you are approaching China -

     "Monday 5th A new term commenced at Punahou I went up with the children in our wagon - I made arrangements with Mr.and Mrs. Rice for James to become a boarding scholar - to room with Dwight Baldwin.

CLOCK STOPS
     "Wed. Feb. 5 The clock stopped this foremoon - Mr. B called - in the kindness of his heart undertook to put it to rights. He took it to pieces, stepped on the case of the piano scratched the case with the nails in his shoes and after working a while bade us good bye say I have done it no harm & I have done it no good.

     "Wednesday (March 12) A brig arrived in China. Dr. J(udd) sent up a note informing us that Mr. C has arrived in China and was quite sick. We received no letters and no other information.

     "Wednesday April 1 Had the great satisfaction of receiving letters & journals from my beloved husband and of hearing of the improvement of his health.

     "Thursday 23rd The children as soon as it was light went up to the garret to look for the Swallow.

DISAPPOINTED
     "Mr.Castle & Mr. Armstrong went down in a wagon to bring up Mr. C(hamberlain) and we waited breakfast, but they soon returned to inform us that it was the Schooner Shark from the coast.

     "Wed. April 29 Experienced another severe disappointed. Capt. Dominis' schooner was discovered about 10 a.m. We made every arrangement & preparation to welcome a beloved husband - Mr. Castle & Mr. Smith - returned to say he was still in China.

     "I had - letters from him and may expect him in the U.S. Friggate Columbus with Commodore Biddle in three months"

     NEXT: Kauai Trip.