In  1697  occurred  the  first  wedding  of  the  town,
of  which  any  record  has  been  preserved,  and  the
document  is  so  unique  that  it  is  here  produced  in
its  quaint  form, —

"  The  sixteenth  of  Novembor,  Anno  1697.  This  may  certify  whom
it  may  concern  that  I,  George  Ward,  of  ye  Towne  of  Upton  and
County  of  Gloucestev,  and  Hannah  Waynwright,  of  Woodben-y
Creek,  have  been  Published  according  to  Law,  and  nothing  appear-
ing contrary  in  any  wise  to  hinder  them,  they  have  proceeded  at  a
public  place  appointed  for  that  purpose  as  folioweth  :  Y»  said  George
standing  up  and  taking  y»  said  Hannah  by  y»  hand,  saith  as  foliow-
eth :  I  George  Ward,  i  n  y»  presence  of  God  and  this  Assembly,  Take
Hannah  Waynwright  to  my  Wife,  promising  to  be  a  loving  Husband
untill  Death  sepperate  ;  and  she,  y  a'd  Hannah  in  like  manner  saith
—I  Hannah  Waynwright,  in  y«  presence  of  God  and  this  Assembly,


682


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN  COUNTY,  NEW  JERSEY.
take  George  Ward  to  be  my  luisbana,  promising  to  be   a  loueing
rfaithfuUWife  till  Death  Sepperate.
her
"Hannah  X  Waynweisht."
mark
bis
"Geoege  X  Waed.
mark

The  persons  present  were, —

'*  John  Brown.  John  Ashbrook.
Israel  Ward.  Thomas  Bull.
William  Ward.  James  Whitall.
John  Tatum.  Samuel  Taylor.
Thomas  Gibson.  John  Euno.
Isaac  Wood.  Elizabeth  Tatum.
Charles  Crossthwait.  Susannah  Waynwright.
*'  December  y'>  first  Anno  1697,  The  within  certificate  was  ordered
to  be  recorded  by

"  Tho.  Gaednee,  Justice.
"  December  8,  1691,  Entr.  Exam,  and  Recorded  pr  me,

"John  Beading,  Rec.
"  Testes.  John  Heading?^

It  is  likely  that  this  George  Ward  was  either  a
brother  or  son  of  one  of  the  Wards  named  above,
and  subsequently  he  became  a  land-owner  himself,
at  what  is  now  Blackwood.
