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CONTACT:
Cindy Russell
Historical Records Library
(941) 749-1800 ext. 4070
August 2003 Article
Introduction: The Manatee
County Historical Records Library is a wealth
of information about our local past. Documents from
as early as the 1850's describe the life and times
of Manatee County residents and weave many an interesting
tale. Each month, we will post a new story for you
based on documents in our library. We invite all of
you to come to the library, located
at 1405 4th Avenue West, to see these documents
for yourself and to touch, feel and experience our
heritage.
Early Marriage Licenses
Murphy-Tallevast
Marriage License and an anonymous wedding party from 1903
Some of the oldest documents in the Historical Records Library's
collection are marriage licenses. Manatee County's licenses
date from 1856 and are still a recorded document with the
Clerk's Office. Obtaining your marriage license was no small
feat. Prior to 1887, Manatee County included all of what are
now Manatee, Desoto, Sarasota, Glades, Highlands, Charlotte
and Hardee counties. The Courthouse was moved from Manatee
to the town of Pine Level in the 1860s. Pine Level is located
in what is now Desoto County. The Courthouse was moved to
Braidentown in 1887.
The original licenses are sometimes on small pieces of paper,
not forms as we use today, and can be hard to read because
of the age. Some are even written in pencil. Licenses will
contain three dates if the marriage took place: the issue
date, the date of marriage and the date of recording. The
licenses also contain the name of the groom and the bride
and their place of residence, the name of the minister or
official and the recording officer. Sometimes there is additional
information including statements as to the ages of the persons,
if that person is widowed or divorced. One note on licenses,
if the license was applied for in one county in Florida but
the marriage took place in a different county, the marriage
license will be "returned" or recorded in the county
were the license, not the marriage, originated.
The first marriage recorded in Manatee County was that of
Edward A. Clark and Helen E. Branch. Franklin Branch married
the couple, March 7, 1856, the same day they took out their
license.
The double wedding of J. Hollis Tallevast and Miss Frances
Louise Murphy and Emory Johnson and Miss Josephine Bell Murphy
began at the Clerk's Office when they applied for their marriage
licenses on February 11, 1903. The marriage date was set for
February 12. The ceremony was to be performed by Rev. Edward
Gates at the home of the brides' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Garrett
Murphy. According to the local paper, it was a grand affair
with numerous carriages arriving with the invited guests.
As the beautifully" attired 100 guests made their way
into the home, they were shown through rooms decorated with
artificial light, lavish flower arrangements and "glittering"
displays of china, glass and silver gifts.
The brides' sister Miss Daisy Murphy, who was dressed in
a white organza and satin, greeted the guests. Miss Virginia
Rowett dressed in black organdy and satin assisted her. Comment
was made as to their striking brunette hair. Helping the bridesmaids
with the guests were Mrs. V.A. Gaar, Mrs. Arthur Cornwell
and Mrs. A.B. Murphy.
At 4:00 p.m., as Mrs. C.H. Stebbins began the wedding march,
both bridesmaids began descending the staircase and were met
by the groomsmen, Mr. J. Lide Tallevast and Mr. Ralph Johnson.
The brides were dressed in crepe de chine and velvet gowns
with white picture hats trimmed in long ostrich plumes trailing
the "exquisite" lace at the back of their gowns.
They carried bouquets of roses with fern sprays and white
satin ribbons.
Refreshments served were chicken salad on lettuce, olives,
coffee, cream, cake and bonbons. A ring was hidden in the
wedding cake and was found by Miss Jennie Curry. Pieces of
cake were given out to place under one's pillow to dream on.
Mr. and Mrs. Tallevast retired to the home of Mr. and Mrs.
VA Gaar to await the completion of their new home and Mr.
and Mrs. Johnson returned to the home of Mr. Johnson's mother
where they will reside. On the 21st day of February 1903,
the marriage licenses signed by Rev. Gates were returned to
the courthouse. County Judge J.J. Stewart then signed them
and the marriages were recorded in Marriage Book B page 160
in the records of Manatee County Florida.
At the turn of the century, newspaper coverage of weddings
was more detailed in their descriptions of the dresses, the
gifts and the guests than they are today. At home weddings
were the norm and the popular food to serve was chicken salad
and olives.
Your Historical Records Library is full of interesting and
wonderful information. Please stop by and see these wonderful
documents for yourself.
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