Oct 23, 2019
Shiloh, NJ, August 7, 1871
Our social history is fascinating and constantly changing. This article in an 1871 Sabbath Recorder issue is an endearing account of one wedding anniversary 150 years ago.
In the year 1844, Geo. R. Wheeler and Hannah, his wife, and nine children, came to America from Olney, England; landed in New York; and from there they came
to the City of Salem, South New Jersey. He was of the occupation
of a watchmaker and jeweler. … [He] opened a small shop for repairing and job business. He had for many years been acknowledged as an itinerant or village preacher by
the Baptist church to which he belonged. … In 1846, after prayerful investigation, Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler came to the conclusion that it was their privilege and duty to remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. They changed their membership from the First-day Baptist church at Salem to the Seventh-day Baptist church at Shiloh. … The Shiloh church soon called brother Wheeler to ordination. Since that time he has been known by his preaching, writing, and his general associations, as a reputable minister of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination.
A few weeks ago, we received a letter from them, informing us that the fourth of August, 1871, would be the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, and inviting some of their old friends at Shiloh and Marlboro to come to Salem and spend the day with them, stating that silver and gold would be strictly prohibited; they did not need it, neither did they want it. Arrangements were made to go. The day was very warm, but at ten o’clock carriages began to arrive, until they numbered sixteen. The guests, numbering over forty, were cordially received and had a hearty welcome to the marriage festival. … At one o’clock dinner was announced, and we were escorted into the dining room. … The table was loaded with common necessaries, and with many luxuries. There were two large bride’s cakes, one of them marked August 4, 1821, the other August 4, 1871. The table was adorned with three beautiful bouquets, one of them containing fifty different varieties of flowers. After all the company had dined, they were invited to engage in some religious exercises. Various select pieces were sung. … The ninetieth Psalm was read by W.B. Gillette, followed by a short address; then an address from Eld. Morton. Eld. Wheeler then arose and told us that he would give us a brief history of himself and family, which he did in a feeling and intelligent manner. … It will long be remembered by those who heard it. He was followed by his son Caleb…who paid a becoming tribute to his parents, who had done their duty faithfully to their children, and were worthy of their highest esteem and affection, especially for the religious training they had given. He was followed by Mrs. Wheeler, who spoke very understandingly of the happy life they had lived as man and wife. … After a few remarks from others, the lateness of the hour admonished us that we must close, when Dea. Hummell led us in prayer, while we commended this aged couple and theirs to our covenant-keeping God. Soon after, the company departed to their several homes, feeling gratified and profited that they had lived to attend the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Rev. George R. Wheeler and Hannah, his worthy companion. They are now seventy-three years old—and yet their sight is not dim, and their youthful vigor is scarcely any abated. May they yet live long, to comfort each other, and to honor God, and bless the world.
—ONE OF THE GUESTS
Reprinted from The Sabbath Recorder 27, no. 34 (1871): 134. url: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sabbathrecorderscan/SR+Vol+27+(1871)/Sabbath+
Recorder_1871_27_34.pdf
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