Marriage of Mr R. Crosthwaite and Miss Whatman
All Saints’, Bolton Percy, on Thursday August 6th 1896
(excerpt from The Yorkshire Herald)
The marriage of Miss Augusta B. E. R. Whatman, daughter of the late Mr. Charles R. Whatman, of county Kent, with Mr. Robert Crosthwaite, of Sherborne, Dorset, eldest son of the Right Rev. the Bishop Suffragan of Beverley, was celebrated in the church of All Saints at Bolton Percy yesterday afternoon.
The Bishop of Beverley, as the rector of the parish, is held in high esteem by the parishioners who have the privilege to be in his cure, and both the bride and bridegroom are well known to the villagers and the surrounding residents. The announcement of the approaching marriage was received with gratification in the neighbourhood, and the inhabitants subscribed for, and presented, a handsome silver salver, accompanied by an address expressing their regard for the recipients.
Beautiful weather prevailed during the ceremony, which commenced at a quarter-past two. The Rectory with its beautiful lawns and specious gardens rests almost under the shadow of the fine Perpendicular tower of the church, and an awning was erected which connected the house with the south doorway of the church so that the bridal procession was enabled to achieve the journey on foot, a carpet of crimson cloth being laid along the whole distance for that purpose. Inside the church quaintly-carved oaken pews were called upon to accommodate a much larger congregation than is usually the case, for an ordinary occasion the whole population of the parish could easily find room in them.
The villagers were present in good numbers, and there was a numerous company of specially-invited guests. While these were assembling the organist played the Bridal March from Lohengrin. Floral decorations were tastefully arranged at the entrance to the chancel and on the altar. As the bridal procession entered the church the hymn, “How welcome was the call,” was sung. The bride wore a dress and train of ivory white satin, the bodice trimmed with Brussels lace and pearl embroidery. The bridal wreath was of orange blossom, and the veil of Brussels lace. Pearls worn as ornaments by the bride, and her bouquet was of choice white flowers. The bridesmaids, seven in number, wore dresses of ivory crepon and white satin, and they also wore straw hats trimmed with tulle and carnations. They carried shower bouquets of carnations and ferns, and wore gold safety-pin broaches ornamented with two pearl hearts, the gift of the bridegroom.
The officiating clergy were the Bishop of Beverley (father of the bridegroom) and the Rev. E.W. Simpson, vicar of Laxton (uncle of the bridegroom). The address was delivered by the Archbishop of York, who was attended by his domestic chaplain (the Rev. A. N. Thomas). Mr. Herbert Wilson acted as best man, and the bride was given away by her cousin, Mr. Whatman. The Rev. E.W. Simpson read the opening exhortation, the remainder of the service being conducted by the Bishop of Beverley. At its conclusion, the hymn “Oh, perfect love” was sung, and the Archbishop then delivered the address, in the course of which he said that the Church in that beautiful service reminded them that the state of holy matrimony was the earliest of all human institutions ordained by God himself in the days of man’s innocency. His Grace proceeded to point out that happiness of the marriage state was not to be enjoyed for itself alone, but should be consecrated to the glory of God. The Archbishop then pronounced the blessing. While the signatures were being attached to the registers, the congregation sang the hymn “O Father all creating,” and the bridal party left the church to the strains of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” while the bells rang out cheerily from the church tower.
Immediately after the ceremony the newly-married pair received the congratulations of villagers and afterwards the Bishop of Beverley and Mrs. Crosthwaite entertained a numerous company of guests in the grounds of the rectory. A large marquee had been erected, wherein choice refreshments, fruit, &c., were dispensed, and the pretty costumes worn by many of the visitors as they strolled to and fro under the shade of the tall trees which shelter the Rectory made up a very picturesque spectacle.