June 27, 1851 - Graduation of the Class of 1851

Friday 27^th (June)

Well the examination is over, and how glad I am, no more study for 7 weeks. We had no school, but went down however to practice some chorusses for the evening. In the evening I had a beautiful bouquet sent to me from Charlie W. Went and had so much fun. Played the schoolmaster for Mr Pond and two little girls to sing. After the evening closed, we had a great time kissing, the Valedictory was very good. Got home very early considering the number of compositions which were read.

The Class of 1851 graduated this evening. The program does not list the titles or the performers of the seven musical selections. One of the selections was the song The Schoolmaster sung by Mr. Pond and two students, with Serena at the piano. There were twenty compositions read by graduates. The Valedictory was given by Susan E. Overstreet of Louisville, Kentucky (Alumna 1859:56).

The first edition of the Alumna, which will be published in 1859, will include programs from the Commencement Exercises of 1845 through 1859. Each of these events will include an opening prayer, several compositions with interspersed musical selections, the awarding of diplomas, a valedictory address, a parting hymn composed by one of the students, and a benediction. Guest  speakers are listed only three times in this period: Bishop T.A. Morris, D.D., will offer the opening prayer in 1853, the Hon. B. Storer, LL. D., will give an Address to the Young Ladies’ Lyceum in 1858, and Rev. Calvin Kingsley, D.D., will also address the Young Ladies’ Lyceum in 1859. Commencement Exercises will expand to two consecutive evenings in 1858 and 1859, possibly to accommodate the twenty-nine compositions in 1858. The first commencement, in 1845, was held at the Ninth-Street Methodist Church. The second, in 1846, was held at Morris Chapel. Commencements held from 1847 through 1859 will be held at Wesley Chapel (Alumna 1859:46-75).

June 26, 1851 - Cousin Elizabeth’s wedding day

 

Thursday 26^th (June)

Still, I again must say we have our examination. I trembled considerable during the morning as I was to be examined the last hour. The time soon arrived, and we were assembled on the platform. Mr Trimble and Mr Johnson sat in front of us laughing.  I was very much, consequently missed one question, also stammered over my proposition. I felt like giving up all for lost, when Mr Lippitt gave us another chance, and I did finely. In the afternoon after hearing some compositions read and some singing, I staid to practice a while and then came home to dress for the evening. I had a beautiful book (?)- muslin dress, read to satisfy myself, also played twice. Stopped and congratulated the bride and groom as I returned home.

Joseph M. Trimble is the Presiding Elder of the East Cincinnati District of Methodist Episcopal Churches (Cist 80). Perhaps Mr. Johnson is Professor H. F. Johnson, M.D., Professor of Practice of Medicine at the Physo-Medical College. They may have been there to administer or to observe the final examinations of the students (Cist 115).

This is the wedding day of Elizabeth Spooner and James Bigger. It is surprising that Serena does not attend the wedding because she and Serena and Cousin Elizabeth are so close. Perhaps she would have attended if examinations were not scheduled that day. It is also possible that William Spooner’s parlor is crowded with the families of Elizabeth’s brothers, William and Thomas Spooner, and the immediate family of James Bigger. Serena calls on the newly married couple after her day at school.   

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer June 28, 1851

 

June 10, 1851 - The Wedding day of my dear and only Sister

 This was a day of days. We arose in the morning quite early, but Libby was not in a very good humor, the first part of the morning. However she cheered up, and before the appointed time, we heard her sweet notes to resound through the house. Mr Printiss and Aunt Charlotte set the . . . which after it was completed did really look beautiful. Caroline and I went up to William Wright’s to get a neck ribbon, and after she came home we drest ourselves, for the Wedding. Libby and Mira did look sweet, also Thomas. We had the invited guests, but after they came down without being seated Mr Trimble rose immediately and married them which ceremony was beautiful. After the ceremony was concluded, Libby received several calls. They all seemed to enjoy themselves very much, and about ½ 1 o-clock most of them left excepting the family and a few others who went to cars with Sister. We sat there until the bell rang when we bid them good bye and then returned to an almost desolate home. It was very lonely without Libby. We sat and talked a while about her, and the retired. Mr Printiss was obliged to go home as there were some . . . at his house.

Libby’s wedding is a simple event on a weekday morning, at home, with only a few guests. The young women probably wear their nicest dresses. Serena and Caroline embellish their dresses with new neck ribbons from William Wright’s store, purchased today, almost as an afterthought. Neck ribbons are worn with or without a brooch at the knot. They are bright colors, usually embroidered, and tied in a square flat knot close to the throat (Severa 100).

Joseph M. Trimble is the Presiding Elder of the East Cincinnati District of Methodist Episcopal Churches (Cist 80).

Friends who did not attend the wedding call on the couple immediately afterward.  These are brief visits to congratulate Thomas and to wish Libby happiness. Almost everyone has left by 1:30pm, when it is time to escort the couple to the train station. A bell is rung to signal the time for the train to depart. We don’t know the destination for the honeymoon trip.

June 8, 1851 - Invitation to a party

Sunday 8^th (June)

Rose tolerable early, but did not go to Sunday school nor church. Mr. Printiss left rather late, and about 11 o-clock Father came home. In the afternoon I went to class, and after I came home, Mr ? and Thomas L (?) called. After tea Caroline and I took a little to try and find where Lewis Wilson, lived but were unable to do so. So I stopped in Mary Massons and Caroline came home with the children. I found Jimmie Jackson there who informed me they were to have a ..?..party this evening Monday. After a while, Will Masson came in and asked me to go with him, I told him it was very uncertain, but I would give him an answer to-morrow. Came home as did Father, and having received the answer, no, sat right down and wrote a note to Mary Masson.
 

Lewis Wilson is Serena’s cousin, the son of Timothy H. Wilson and Serena’s aunt, Roxana Tolman Lewis. He is about twenty-one years old, working as a house-carpenter. He married Henrietta Packer on January 29, 1851. Their first child will be born in the fall (Spooner 179).
 

Who were the children that were walking with Serena and Caroline? We don’t know of any children other than little brother Albert Henry Lewis.
 

James Jackson is a popular name. One James Jackson was a twenty-one year old chair maker at the time of the 1850 Census. He was born in Maryland. He lived in Ward 4 in a household that included ten young men. It may have been a boarding house. Another James Jackson was a twenty-three year old printer, born in Canada. He lived in Ward 10, in the household of John Jackson, age twenty-nine, Ellen Jackson, and three small children. The most likely Jimmie Jackson was nineteen years old at the time of the 1850 Census. He was working as a clerk, and lived in Ward 9 of Cincinnati, in a large family, all born in Ireland.
 

Will Masson is Mary’s brother, age twenty-two.
 

Serena’s sister Libby and Thomas Hunt will be married in two days, but we would never know it from this journal entry. There seems to be no drama – no flurry of dress fittings, hair styling, florist visits, wedding cake selection, reception planning, stag parties and bridal showers. It seems that weddings are simple affairs in 1851.