When last at the Kentucky Historical Society I took time to photograph the beautiful wedding collage on one of the walls near the entrance. I always look at this since it is so lovely, and now I have photos to share with you!
The wedding photographs and documents must be from Scotland since the documents are about the Aitcheson family from Rochsalloch, Scotland. Not only is there a marriage bond, or certificate, but deeds and conveyances to members of the family.
Each bride is individually beautiful and dressed according to the time period in which she was married.
It is Appointed, Contracted and Matrimonially Ended between the Partys following, viz., William Alexander, Merchant in Edinburgh, lawful Son of William Alexander, Esquire, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, with the Special advice and consent of the said William Alexander, his father of the one Part, And Mrs. Christian Aitcheson, lawful Daughter of John Aitcheson, of Rochsalloch, Esquire, with the Special advice and consent of the said John Aitcheson, her father, of the other Part in manner following. That is to say the said William Alexander the Younger and Mrs. Christian Aitcheson, having conceived a Mutual Affection for one another have accepted and taken and by those presents Accept and take each other as their lawful spouses and promise to Solemnize and complete the holy Bond of Marriage together with all requisite Solemnities. In Contemplation of which Marriage the said William Alexander the Younger hath become bound and obliged and by these presents, binds and obliges him, his heirs, Executors and successors to consent and pay to the said Mrs. Christian Aitcheson a free life-rent annuity of Seventy pounds sterling during all the Days of her life, in case she shall survive him, at two terms in the year, Whitsunday and Martinmas, by equal portions beginning the first term’s payment thereof at the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas that shall happen after the decease of the said William Alexander the Younger for the half year immediately preceding and so forth yearly and termly thereafter during all the Days of the life of the said Mrs. Christian Aitcheson with the sum of seventy pounds sterling.
William Alexander, Junior, Christian Aitcheson, John Aitchseon
Quite a different marriage bond from what we have in Kentucky! Whitsunday is Pentecost Sunday, usually the first holiday of summer, and Martinmas is the feast of St. Martin’s death on November 11th. Since Martinmas corresponded with the end of harvest it was a good time for celebration.
Such a wonderful collection! This would be a fantastic way to show off your own collection of old photos and documents (copies, of course!)
Hm, I thought this post was finished, but decided to do a little extra research on this family – why would a Scottish family be on the wall of the Kentucky Historical Society?
There is no date on the marriage contract, making it a little difficult to research, but I found out that William Alexander’s wife, Christian, died about 1783 in Scotland. His father, William Alexander, died about 1763. Since he was alive at the marriage, William and Christian must have married shortly before that date. After Christian’s death, William and son, Robert, came to Virginia. Robert moved on to Woodford County, Kentucky, and his father came about 1816, dying there three years later. William Alexander also had children by a second wife. They came to Kentucky about the same time, and lived near his eldest son. Now we have our Kentucky connection!
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