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- Title
- Marriage certificate. This certifies that [Washington C. Young/of Philadelphia/state of Pennsylvania] [Amanda L. West/of Goshen/state of New Jersey] were by me united in marriage according to the ordinance of God and the laws of the state of [Pennsylvania] at [Philadelphia] on the 24 day of [May] 188[3]. [Philip L. Sanborn?]/ [Sarah A. Ross]/ [Rev. W.H. Ross officiating minister]
- Description
- Marriage certificate with gold touches and containing the bust-length, carte-de-visite studio portrait photographs of Washington C. Young and Amanda L. West, who are African American, surrounded by text, pictorial details, and an ornate border. Young's portrait depicts the young man, looking to the left, and attired in a jacket with a notch lapel, a dark-colored tie, and white, straight shirt collar. He also has a mustache and wears his hair short and with a side part. West's portrait depicts the young woman, looking to the right, and attired in a garment with small puffs at the shoulder and a high-collar neckline adorned with a fabric flower. She wears her wavy hair pulled back, parted in the middle and with side bangs. She also wears earrings. Between the portraits are ornaments with text reading, "It Is Not Good That Man Should Be Alone, Gen 2.18" and "I Will Make Him An Help Meet For Him Gen 2.18." The certificate also contains pictorial details of flowers and vinery, a bell, doves, and a banner. The border is composed of scrollwork, floral shapes, and cornice ornaments. At the time of their marriage, Washington C. Young was a clerk. He would continue in this profession throughout his life. Amanda (West) Young worked as a dressmaker by 1910 and was later listed as a housekeeper in census records. The couple had four children, including a daughter who worked as a dressmaker., Title from item., Date of printing inferred from printed and manuscript date., Completed in manuscript to Washington C. Young and Amanda L. West on May 24, 1883. Signed Philip L. [Sanborn?], Sarah A. Ross, and Rev. W.H. Ross, Officiating Minister., RVCDC
- Date
- [completed 1883, printed ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Philadelphia Certificates - Marriage [P.2023.59]
- Title
- Marriage certificate. We are one forever. This certifies that [Green Allen] and [Mary E. Foster] were united in holy matrimony by me according to the ordinance of God, laws of the state of [Mich] at [Decatur] on the [30] day of October. In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and [79] [Isaac Moss Minister of the Gospel. Witnesses [Sarah A. Foster] [David Moss]
- Description
- Marriage certificate containing the bust-length, carte-de-visite studio portrait photographs of Green T. Allen, Jr. and Mary E. Foster surrounded by text, pictorial details, and a geometrically-shaped border. Allen and Foster identified as multiracial in census records. Allen's portrait depicts the young man, looking to the right, and attired in a jacket with a notch lapel, a multi-colored tie, and white shirt with lapel collar. He also has a mustache and wears his hair short and greased flat. Foster's portrait (hand-colored) depicts the young woman, looking to the right, and attired in a garment with ruffle details at the shoulder and a neckerchief with fringe. She wears her long, wavy hair pulled back in the front and loose in the back. She also wears earrings. Between and around the portraits are pictorial details depicting flowers, grapes, vinery, doves (in nests), and scrollwork. Allen, son of Cass County, Michigan farmer Green Allen, Sr. was also a farmer, and a Justice of Township later in life. Allen, Jr. and Mary E. (Foster) Allen, daughter of a Decatur, Michigan farmer, had two children, son Charles F. Allen (1880-1971) and daughter Ethel May Allen Goens (1886-1942). Green T. Allen Jr.'s father was a founder of the prominent Black community of Southwest Michigan that settled in the area via the Underground Railroad., Title from item., Date of printing inferred from manuscript date., Completed in manuscript to Green Allen and Mary E. Foster on October 30, 1879. Signed Isaac Moss, Sarah A. Foster, and David Moss. Sarah A. Foster, later Cannon, was the sister of Mary E. Foster. Isaac Moss was a farmer and reverend. David Moss, son of Isaac Moss, was a farmer., Contains newspaper clipping from a ca. 1918 March edition of "The Cassopolis (Mich.) Vigilant" on verso. Clipping is backing for portrait photographs., RVCDC, W.P. Cooper was a teacher by the 1870s and had previously attended law school.
- Creator
- Cooper, W.P, 1822-1888, designer
- Date
- [completed 1879, printed ca. 1872]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC - Certificates - Marriage [P.2024.46.1]

