Nov 25 1809 Marriage Enforcement - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Nov 25 1809 Marriage Enforcement

The Times, Saturday, Nov 25, 1809; pg. 3; Issue 7837; col C

A marriage under the following extraordinary circumstances took place a few days
ago at Greystock, near Penrith. The parties were a journeyman shoemaker, and a
young woman of a corresponding situation. It seems, that in the course of the
preceding week Crispin had been committed to Carlisle gaol on a charge of
bastardy; but after a short negociation with the parish-officers, he was
liberated on condition of becoming the partner through life of the injured
nymph. The son of the last, however, as the end will demonstrate, still proved
averse to the match; for, on arriving at the church door, he waxed cold, and,
instead of advancing to the altar of Hymen, instantly set off from his intended
bride, with all the speed of a Harlequin; and it was only after the Constables
(fortunately of no ordinary swiftness) had pursued him a considerable distance,
that he was brought back; after which, the ceremony was very lovingly completed.