Warren County, NC - Horace Greeley's Wedding, 1836

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Goldsboro Messenger, August 15, 1872

Horace Greeley was united in marriage to Miss Mary G. Cheeney, of 
Warrenton, NC on the 6th of July, 1836.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Wm. J. Norwood in the modest 
little Episcopal church of which he was then rector, and which still 
stands embowered among a grove of noble elms and aspens. The bridesmaid 
was Miss Elizabeth Bragg, sister of the late Governor and Senator of 
that name, and of Gen. Braxton Bragg. Her attendant, Alexander Yancey, 
Esq., became her future husband, and the happy couple emigrated to West 
Tennessee many years ago. Mr. Norwood still lives as rector of a church 
in Richmond.

It is even remembered that one of our prominent citizens tendered Mr. 
Greeley the use of his carriage on the occassion. But the most curious 
circumstances connected with the event is the ancient legal requirement 
which it recalls. In colonial times, when currency consisted of pounds, 
shillings, and pence, the law made it necessary to give bond that there 
existed no lawful cause or impediments to obstruct the marriage; and 
among these impediments extreme poverty and incapacity to support the 
family, whereby the parish might be involved in expense, was one. Hence 
the necessity for a bond. The following is an exact copy. The absence 
of Mr. Greeley's name shows that the bond was then regarded as a 
useless form, which involved no real penalties:

                          THE MARRIAGE BOND

State of North Carolina, Warren county. Know all men by these presents 
that we, Horace Greeley and John Yancey, are held and firmly bound unto 
the State of North Carolina in the sum of £500, current money, to be 
paid to the State, for the which payment, well and truly to be made and 
done, we bind ourselves, our heirs executors, and administrators, 
jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, 
and dated this 5th day of July, A.D. 1836.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above 
bounden Horace Greeley has made application for a license of marriage, 
to be celebrated between him and Mary G. Cheeney, of the county 
aforesaid; now, in case it shall not appear herafter that there is any 
lawful cause or impediment to obstruct the said marriage, then the 
above obligation to be void; otherewise to remain in full force and 
virtue. {Seal}
                                       John Yancey {Seal}

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of

                                         D.D. Drake, Clerk

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Guy Potts <gpotts1@nc.rr.com>
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