Discovery of a Wedding Trousseau
A few weeks ago, I told you about my adventures confirming that John Hays was both my 5th and 6th great-grandfather.
One of the documents I uncovered during that process led me to a sweet discovery.
As noted in the blog post referenced above, Elizabeth Jane Hays was the daughter of Gilbert "Bird" Hays and his wife Anna. She was also the wife of John Wesley Harris. Wesley and Elizabeth Harris are a set of my 4th great-grandparents on my paternal side.
Marriage license for Westly Harris and Elizabeth Hays. "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPPD-4XV?cc=1927197 : 23 July 2019), > image 1 of 1; Georgia Department of Archives and History, Morrow.
Wesley Harris and Elizabeth Hays were married on December 2, 1852, in Early County, Georgia. Wesley fought for the Confederacy and died during the Civil War.
One of the probate documents that I used when I was working on the case of John Hays was dated January of 1852, so earlier in the year of Elizabeth's marriage. It noted all the clothes and jewelry and accessories her mother bought for her.
List of items purchased for Miss Elizabeth Hays submitted for reimbursement by the estate of John Hays. "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-T8WV?cc=1999178&wc=9SYY-RM3%3A267652101%2C267690901 : 20 May 2014), Early > Returns 1852-1857 vol A > image 75 of 362; citing Early County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
There is no other similar list submitted for reimbursement from the Estate of John Hays before or after Elizabeth and Wesley's marriage. This leads me to believe that this listing of items ended up being her wedding trousseau!
Some of the items listed are:
1 pair leather shoes
3 yards linen gingham
1 bunch silk braid
1 cedar pencil
3 yards of gingham,
1 pair of gloves
1 gold ring
1 pair of ladies' shoes
1 white silk bonnet
1 white skirt
10 yards embroidered Swiss muslin
1 pair muslin cuffs
fan(n)
8 yards alpaca and trimmings
1 M D Lane Shaw
one tuck comb,
silk buttons
1/4 yard alpaca & trimmings
5 yards of trimming
There are other items listed as well, but I can't quite figure out what all of them are. And I guess I'll never know FOR SURE if these items made up her wedding-day dress and trousseau (unless I am ever lucky enough to discover a picture of Elizabeth Hays Harris on her wedding day!), but it does seem likely that these would have been the items she had in December of 1852.
