H x W (2017.108.10.1 doc): 10 9/16 × 8 5/16 in. (26.8 × 21.1 cm)
H x W x D (2017.108.10.1 overall): 20 × 16 × 7/16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 × 1.1 cm)
Type:
marriage licenses
Place used:
Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Place collected:
United States, North and Central America
Date:
1866
Caption:
The following objects in the Acacia Collection provide a powerful tangible connection to the African American experience and the story of the development of the nation. The collection features objects made by, owned by, used by and in some instances cherished by members of the community of enslaved African Americans and free people of color. From indigo dyed coverlets, to intricately designed quilts, from early instances of traditional basketry to the craftsmanship of Edgefield potters, and from the investment in slavery with Confederate bonds to the telling documents related to the slave trade, all are important pieces in telling the story of Slavery and Freedom in the nation.
Description:
This is a marriage license between Gaston Hall and Dido Howard from 1866. It consists of a rectangular piece of paper with both pre-printed and handwritten text. Across the top margin is pre-printed text “Georgia” followed by a blank space with handwritten text “Talbot” and pre-printed text “County.” Further down the page pre-printed text reads “You are Hereby Authorized/ to Join” and in handwritten text “Gaston Hall (freedman and /Dido Howard (freedwoman).” This is followed by pre-printed text “In the Holy State of / MATRIMONY/ According to the Constitution and Laws of this State, and for which this shall be your/ sufficient License./ Given under my hand and Seal, this 18 [handwritten] day of Dec [handwritten] 1866 [handwritten]/ Marion Bethune [handwritten] Ordinary.” Two narrow horizontal lines divide the page into a separate section with pre-printed text and faded handwritten text. It reads “Georgia, [blank] County,/ I do hereby certify, that Gaston Hall (freedman)[handwritten]/ and Dido Howard (freedwoman) [handwritten] were duly joined in Matrimony, by me, this 22 [handwritten] day of December [handwritten] 1866 [handwritten]/ Stephen Grimes, J.P. [handwritten].” The license is outlined by a decorative pre-printed paisley border. There is a handwritten note on the reverse side on the upper right margin “[Gaston Hall/ Dido Howard].” There are numerous small smudge marks throughout the front page of the document.
