MARRIAGES
On the 10th inst., at the Friends Meetings House, Wakefield, John Bright, Esq., M.P., to Margaret Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late William Leatham, Esq., of Heath, near Wakefield. The "Wakefield Journal" gives the following account of the ceremony.
The whole company sat for about three quarters of an hour in perfect silence, when Mr. Bright arose, and taking the right hand of Miss Leatham, pronounced in a low but distinct voice the following words: "Friends, I take my friend, Margaret Elizabeth Leatham, to be my wife, and promise by divine assistance to be unto her a loving and faithful husband until it shall please God to part us by death." While still holding hands Miss Leatham pronounced the same words, substituting John Bright for her own name, in a low, but tremulous voice. After which another pause of some minutes occurred, when one of the congregation offered up a short prayer, the whole assembly standing. After some minutes had again elapsed, Mr. Geo. Benington, draper, read the certificate, or declaration, which was signed by the bride and bridegroom, and their relations and friends, and afterwards by a large number of the congregation. The whole ceremony lasted about an hour and a half.
Westmorland Gazette, Thursday, 10 June 1847, page 3
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