Warder and Dublin Weekly Mail – Saturday 21 July 1866
Marriage in High Life
Roscommon, July 19 – The marriage of the Honorable Augusta Caroline Crofton only daughter of Lord Crofton with the wth tho Hon. L. Geral Dillon, the eldest son of Lord Clonbrock, was solemnized yesterday in the parish church Roscommon. The inhabitants kept holiday by unanimous accord, and so bedecked their town that it looked like a shrubbery. All day on Tuesday, carts laden with evergreens were being driven into town, and next day every window was tastefully festooned with flowers, and shrubs. A series of triumphal arches spanned the road for three miles, leading from the town to the entrance of Mote Park, The seat of Lord Crofton, on which were fixed appropriate inscriptions such as – ” Long live the happy pair”. the initials of the bride and bridegroom, A. C. and L. G. D.” intertwined &c.
Shortly after twelve o’clock the equipages of the nobilitv and gentry began to arrive, and soon the church, which was likewise decorated with evergreens, filled to its utmost capacity. In the immediate vicinity of the church, and along the road to Mote Park large numbers of people congregated, who lustily cheered the wedding party. The bride wore a dress of white crystalline silk under Brussels lace; headdress, orange flower wreath and Brussels lace veil. The ornaments were a magnificent diamond necklace, the gift of Lord Clonbrock, being a portion of the family jewels and presented to his lordship on the morning of the wedding – appended to which were neck ornaments of diamonds and emeralds, presented by very many friends of the bride; a gold bracelet set with diamonds, and a diamond locket, the gift of Lord Crofton’s tenants. The bridesmaids were;-
Miss Susan Tighe, Hon. Mary Trench, Hon. Caroline Dillion, Hon. Luisa Dillon, Hon. Georginan Dillon, HOn. Alice Dillon, Hon. Katherine Dillon, John. Elizabethg Dillon; and Captain Hon. R.V. Dillon R.A. was best man.
The marriage service was read by the Rev. Mr Thompson, Rector of Roscommon, and the bride was given away by her father, Lord Crofton. At the conclusion of the ceremony the bridal party and a large number of those who had been invited drove to Mote Park, where a sumptuous dejeuner awaited them, and which in consequence of the fire at Mote Park, which destroyed Lord Crofton’s mansion, was obliged to be served in the coachhouse, metamorphosed by decorative skill int0 a handsome apartment. A number of tables were also placed about in the open air, in the shade, at which the guest seated themselves in groups. The band of the 59th Regiment, which was present from Athlone by the kind permission of Lieutenant-Colonel Bushe, was stationed at some distance amongst the trees. A large number of invitations had been issued for dejeuner, amongst those present at which were;-
Lord and Lady Crofton, and the Hon. Edward Crofton, Alfred, and Francis Crofton; Hon Mrs Tighe, Lord Clonbrock, Hon. Miss Dillon, Captain Hon. R.V. Dillon R.A.; Mt Congreve, Miss Augusta Congreve, Miss Jane Congreve, Mr J.T. Medlycott, Lord Castlemaine, Miss Handcock, Lady Augusta Fitzclarence, the misses Fitzclarence (2), Mr Edward Geale, Mr and Mrs Goff, General and the Misses Mitchell (2), Captain Mitchell, R.E.; Mr and Mrs Holmes, Rev. Mr and Mrs Thompson, Rev. Dr and Mrs Gilmour, Mr Denis Kelly and Miss Kelly. Mrs Mahon, Messrs T and J Mahon, Dr and Mrs Harrison, Mr J Ross Mahon, Mr and Mrs Taaffe, Mr P. H. O’Conor, Rev. E Day, Captain Day R.N.; Mr E Day, Dr and Mrs Peyton, Mr and Mrs Glancy, Rev. Dr O’Conor,P.P.; Mr and Mrs Lyman, Mr Cotton, Mr William T Potts, Mr R.P. Bayley, Mr and Mrs Given, Mr J Kelly, Mr O-conor Kelly, Messrs J and T Sheil, Mt Gaynor, Mr Mapother, Mr George Low, Mr P Macdonald and Mr J McDermott.
At five o’clock, the bride and bridegroom took their departure in a carriage and four, for Newcastle, county of Longford, the seat of the Hon. King Harman, to spend the honeymoon, carrying with them the heartfelt wished of all for their future happiness.
The presents made to the bride were numerous and varied. Ornaments of diamonds and emeralds presented as has been mentioned, by friends of the bride, and which were given to her at the church, represent two hundred guineas in a case engraved in gold ; – “Presented to the Hon. Augusta Crofton by a few friends and neighbours in her native County – 18th July 1866” This valuable gift was accompanied by a letter in which the donors stated that it was presented “As an enduring memorial of the universal esteem and regard in which the name of the Hon. Augusta Crofton is held in the affection and memories of those amongst whom she loved from her infancy, and as visible evidence of their sincere and earnest hope that hers may be a long and happy union” The tenants of Lord Crofton subscribed one hundred guineas, and presented the bride with a gold bracelet set with diamonds and a diamond locket. The case in which these jewels were forwarded bears the following inscription : Present to the Hon. Augusta Crofton by her father’s tenants on her marriage – Mote Park 18 July 1866. Amongst the other bridal gifts are a valuable dressing case presented by the bridegroom: two large Dresden candelabras, by the Hon. Edward Crofton; a pink Sevres writing set by Lord Clonbrock; a large oval Dresden looking glass, by the Hon Mr and Mrs Charles Crofton; a gilt inkstand, by the Marchioness of Hastings; a rich- wrought travelling bag, by the Hon. Mrs King Harman; a flower stand of beautiful workmanship by the Earl and Countess of Enniskillen; a diamond cross by the Marquis and Marchioness of Ormonde; a gold bracelet, by the Duchess of Richmond; a diamond locket, by Lord Crofton; a gold horseshoe locket, set with emeralds and diamonds, by the Marquis of Anglesey; a gilt band bracelet , by Mr and Mrs Trench; a crystal collar locket, by the Earl and Countess of Winchilsea; a diamond loop ring, by the Marquis Conyngham; a crystal and turquoise locket, by the Viscountess Sydney; an emerald ring (pearls and diamonds) by th Rev. Mr Battersby; a gold buckle bracelet, by Mr Congreve; a ring set with diamonds and pearls by the Marchioness of Anglesey; a massive gold band and locket, by Mr D. Tighe; a box of Coromandel wood, richly mounted with gold, containing all the requisites for the game of chess, draughts, backgammon cards, &c, by Mr and Mrs Edward Geale; a white Chona bracelet, by Mr Marcus Caulfield; a Serves casket blue and gold, by Mr. Lowther, a sliver tea service, by the Dowager Countess Fortescue. Valuable gifts were also presented by Lord and Lady Templemore, Lady Blanche Butler, Lady Grey, Lady Louisa Tenison, Captain Robert Good, Viscount Crichton, The Dowager Lady Templemore, Lady Isabella Blackford, Ladyy Mary and Lord Hubert Butler, Lady Wallscourt, Sir Augustus Paget, Colonel the Hon. R Spencer, R.A. Captain Spencer R.N., Hon Mr Congreve &c.
Amongst these many rich gifts from distinguished relatives and friends were to be seen a few modest offerings from children attending Sunday-school.
At nightfall the town of Roscommon was illuminated, the very humblest houses joining with their modest display of candles, in the general rejoicing. The effect the many lights, amongst the flowers and evergreens was very pretty indeed. Shortly after eleven clock, Lord Crofton and several members of his family drove into town and were received with the greatest enthusiasm. His lordship walked from one end the town the other, followed by an immense crowd, who cheered him heartily. As he passed along able-bodied enthusiasts in the group cried out “Lift him, boys,” and instantaneously a vigorous effort was made elevate his lordship onto the shoulders of those in his immediate vicinity, and it was with much difficulty that he induced them not to carry this idea into effect, and to allow him to walk along in their midst. Before returning to Mote Park his lordship, who was evidently very much affected by this demonstration of respect and esteem, addressed the crowd from the carriage. He told them how deeply he felt these cordial manifestations of the regard in which his family and himself were held the people of Roscommon, and he assured them that it would always afford him the sincerest pleasure to use whatever influence his position gave him to advance the interests of the town. Large numbers escorted his lordship and party half way to Mote Park, cheering heartily all through, and until long after midnight the streets were crowded by the townspeople, who did not separate until the last candle was burned out. The labourers at Mote Park, and also those on the estate of Lord Clonbrock, were supplied with the means of regaling themselves during the evening, and some barrels of beer were provided for the poorer inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood to drink the healths of the bride and bridegroom.— .
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