Thursday, October 25, 2012

Graham - Pickren Marriage Records

I was surprised and happy to learn that the 1800s marriage records in Louisiana, and no doubt elsewhere, really comprised more than just the marriage license.  The example below for L. D. Graham and A. V. Pickren, my 2nd great-grandparents, is an example of a 3 part marriage record, consisting of marriage bond, license and the minister's statement of the marriage.  Each provides information vital to the genealogical record and clues for further research.

Marriage Bond

Marriage bonds were taken out a day to several days prior to the marriage.  While no money was actually paid, they served as a guarantee for the marriage.  The security person listed was often a relative of either the groom or the bride.  In the case of L. D. Graham's bond, W. J. P. Byrd served as security.  From, the 1880 Census we learn that W. P. Beird was Victoria Pickren's brother.  


How nice it is to also have both of these men's signatures.

Transcription

State of Louisiana,
Parish of Rapides
Know all Men by these Presents, That we L. D. Graham, as principal, and W. J. P. Byrd as security, are held and firm bound unto the Governor of the State of Louisiana, in the sum of Five hundred ($500) Dollars, for the payment of which we and ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally by [missing letters] ese presents.
Dated at Alexandria, the 3 day of May A. D. 1870 Whereas, a license has been this day issued by the Clerk of the District court in and for the Parish of Rapides, to unite in the Bond of Matrimony, the []ove bound, Mr. L. D. Graham and Miss A. V. Pickren.  Now therefore, the condition of the above obligation is such, that if there should exist no legal impediment to this alliance, then the said obligation to be null and void, else to remain in full force and virtue. 
[...]ned in the presence of
Charles Owen                                                    L. D. Graham
                                                                          W. J. P. Byrd

Marriage License 



Transcription

State of Louisiana
Parish of Rapides
To any Justice of the Peace or Minister of the Gospel, who is authorized to celebrate Marriages in and for the Parish of Rapides…. Greeting:
You are Hereby licensed and permitted to unite in the BOND OF MATRIMONY, according to the law and Established Rules Mr. L. D. Graham and Miss A. V. Pickren, Given under my hand ant the Seal of Office as Clerk of the District Court, in and for the Parish of Rapides, the 3 day of May 1870.
[signed] Charles Owen dep Clerk

 Minister's Return



From this document we learn that L. D. Graham and A. V. Pickren were married on 5 May, 1870 at the home of H.C.C. Teagle, rather than at the home of R. Graham, as were many of her sisters. 

One of the witnesses Silas C. Scarborough, was probably A. V. Pickren's step-father.  We know that the newlyweds were living next door (or at least close by) to Silas Scarborough and Mary D. Scarborough from the 1870 census.  We also know that A. V. Pickren's mother M. D. Scarborough (widow) and her brother John E. Scarborough were living with L. D. and Aaron V. Graham in Milam Co., Texas in 1880 (census). 

It would be interesting to know who Napoleon B. White (witness), H. C. C. Teagle (residence of marriage ceremony) and J. F. Marshall, Minster were.  Almost all the other Graham children were married by one of the Willis ministers, and they were married at the home of R. Graham.  This marriage certainly broke with family tradition.  

Another interesting break with Graham marriage tradition was A. V. Pickren's age at the time of marriage.  She was only 14.  All the Graham daughters were at least 18 and most were in the 20-22 age range at the time of their marriages.  And, both sons were over age 20 when they married.  L. D. Graham's only brother William Jackson Graham also married a woman over the age of 20.  So, A. V. Pickren's tender age of 14 years and 4 months was extremely young by Graham family tradition.

I also have doubts about A. V. Pickren's signature on the marriage record.  Her signature style strongly resembles the signature of L. D. Graham.  

Transcription

State of Louisiana
Parish of Rapides
Be it Remembered that on the 5th day of May 1970, Mr. L. D. Graham and Miss A. V. Pickren personally appeared before me J. F. Marshall in and for the Parish of Rapides, together with the witnesses whose names are subscribed hereto. All witnesses of full age, and resident in the said Parish, and that then and there the said Mr. L. D. Graham and Miss A. V. Pickren {…}oving produced the license required by Law, signified their desire and intention, before us the said Marshall and witnesses to be united in the State of Matrimony: L. D. Graham, and Miss A. V. Pickren were by the said J. F. Marshall in the presence of said witnesses, Joined in Wedlock according to the Laws of the State of Louisiana, and by me the said J. F. Marshall duly pronounced to be Husband and Wife.
In Testimony Whereof, the parties to the said Marriage hereunto affix their signatures, together with me the said J. F. Marshall and the aforesaid witnesses on this 5th day of May A.D., 1870 at residence of H. C. C. Teagle in the Parish aforesaid.
Witnesses:                                                                                                          [signatures]
S. C. Scarborough                                                                                             L. D. Graham
[illegible]                                                                                                             A. V. Pickren
Napoleon B. White                                                                                          J. F Marshall, Minister of the Gospel   


The 3 combined documents provide additional clues to be researched in the future.  And, while almost all marriage indexes show the date of 3 May 1870 as the marriage date for this couple, having all the marriage documents shows that while the marriage bond and license were acquired on 3 May 1870, the marriage didn't occur for another 2 days -- on 5 May 1870

2 comments:

  1. I am researching my Rapides parish ancestors and have found that Rev Marshall in a few places. Here's one. I think he was married to Alice M. Smith. http://www.iscuo.org/ac_briggs.htm

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your post about Rev Marshall. I will certainly follow up on Alice M. Smith and see if she is in anyway related to my Ruth Smith. Maybe your clue will be the one that breaks my Smith brick wall :-)

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