FROM SCOTLAND 1831, Telfer, Andrew and Ellen, 50th Anniversary 1881

Telfer, Andrew and Ellen Young 50^th Anniverary 1881

GOLDEN WEDDING

January 14^th, 1881, the 50^th anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Telfer was appropriately celebrated at their home in the town of New Lisbon. The day was very stormy, which hindered a number from being there; but in that home it was warm and pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Telfer, though respectively 79 and 73 years of age, look as young and active as many 20 years younger. It gladdened their hearts to meet their children, grand-children and other guests. A bountiful table was spread, which showed the mother had not neglected to teach her daughters how to keep house. After this the aged couple received substantial tokens of esteem from their children and relatives. Among the most useful was an elegant easy chair to each, in which to rest in declining years, and gold-bowed spectacles for each to assist failing sight.

Seated in their new chairs, some remarks were made by Rev. T. A. Scott, of Garrattsville, who also read a brief history of their lives, and gave thanks to the kind Preserver of all. So ended a pleasant gathering, long to be remembered. The following is a summary of their history, published by the request of the family.

The parties whose 50^th marriage anniversary is celebrated, are natives of Scotland. Andrew Telfer, second son of William and Emelia Telfer, was born near Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland, Nov. 2^nd 1801. His occupation was that of his father's—a shepherd of the Cheviot hill between Scotland and England. Like many others, he had a desire for the western world. Before leaving he must take for a helpmeet a Scotch lassie. He found one in the person of Ellen Young, who was born in Yetholm, Scotland, who was the fourth child of Robert and Ellen Young. They were joined in wedlock Jan. 14^th, 1881, by Rev. Robert Shirra, of Yetholm.

In the spring of the same year they came to America, taking passage from Greenwich, on board a sailing vessel—Boston by name. After a voyage of seven weeks and three days, they landed in New York city. They went to Delaware county, visiting some relatives; thence to Otsego county, where they have lived ever since. Nine years they lived in this the town of Burlington, the remaining years in New Lisbon on the same farm.

Their descendants consist of four sons, four daughters, and seven grand-children, and remarkable has been God's goodness to them and their children that all are alive, and with the exception of one grandson, were all present to rejoice and give best wishes to their dear aged parents.-- “A Guest” in Ots. Rep.

Found this remarkable story newspaper-clipping copy in the Mary Boice Gale collection.