- "BITTERNE, JUNE 13 1883
"FASHIONABLE WEDDING
"A numerous and fashionable company assembled at St Saviour's Church, Bitterne, on Wednesday, when Mr William Arthur Gillett, son of Mr W S Gillett, of Harefield, was married to Edith, daughter of Captain H.Sholto Douglas, of Moorlands, late 42nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), and granddaughter of the late Major General Sir Wm. Douglas, K.C.H of Timpendean, Roxburghshire. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. H.E. Trotter. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore bodice and train of white brocade, over a petticoat of satin, with handsome pearl embroidery, wreath and spray of orange blossoms, with tulle veil. The bridesmaids were Miss Constance Douglas, Miss Ethel Douglas, and Miss Florence Douglas, sisters of the bride, and her cousin, Miss Constance Smith (this is my great aunt!) (In the margin a further name is added to the bridesmaids: Miss G. Beadon). They wore cream surah dresses, with ficelle lace, white bonnets trimmed with wreath of Parma violets, and bouquets and gold bangles, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr H Loxley was best man, and the groomsmen Colonel Murray (a cousin of Constance Smith), Major Douglas, Mr F Murray (Miss Constance Smith's uncle) and Mr C Douglas. The day was beautifully fine, and considerable interest was evinced in the ceremony, after which a large company were entertained at Moorlands (the house no longer exists, but apparently the gatehouse does). The happy couple left early in the afternoon, amidst the customary showers of rice and expressions of hearty good wishes, for London, en route for the Lakes, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride's travelling dress was electric blue satin merveilleux and cashmere, with bonnet to match.
Amongst the presents, which were numerous and costly were the
following:-
"Diamond hoop ring and travelling case, the bridegroom.
Silver coffee pot, teapot, sugar basin, and cream jug, Miss Grant.
Silver saltcellars, Mr and Mrs Douglas Murray Pair of ivory brushes and silver eggstand, Mrs Campbell.
Velvet and plush table, Colonel Bailie
Brass inkstand and morocco writing and envelope case, Mr & Mrs Sheepshanks.
Silver fish knife and fork, Mrs Naghten
Silver salt cellars, the Rev H. and Mrs Trotter Silver napkin rings, Mr Edward Gillett.
Silver muffineer and waitbuckle, Mr Sholto Murray.
Silver-topped scent bottle, Lord Frederick Fitzgerald.
Silver fruit basket, Major Chalmer, 60th Rifles.
Gold bangle, the Misses Douglas.
Pair of silver revolving entr?e dishes, Major & Mrs Murray.
Silver Apostle dessert spoons and dessert knives and forks, Mr and Mrs Grant.
Breakfast service and china ornaments, Lady Edwardes.
Card tray, Colonel and Mrs Grimston.
Glass rose bowl, Mrs Grimston.
Silver salt cellars, Mr and Mrs Douglas Murray.
Cut glass scent bottle with gold top, Captain and Mrs Eccles.
Gold inlaid tea service, Colonel Murray, 28th Regiment.
Silver pencil and pen case, Mr Vernon Eccles, Rifle Brigade.
Entr?e dish, Major Douglas, 52nd Light Infantry.
Plush photo-book and cruet frame, Mr Angus Douglas, R.N.
Chippendale corner bracket and mirror, Mr C.C. Douglas, the Cameronians.
Silver pepper pots, Mr and Mrs William Gillett.
Cut glass scent bottles, the Misses Beadon.
Drawing room clock, Mr and Mrs H Sholto Douglas.
White Dresden china vase, Mr and Mrs Mordaunt.
Russian leather reticule, Mrs Blathwayt.
Glass water jug and goblets, Captain Saunderson.
Worcester china ornament, Colonel Skipwith.
Cuttack silver bracelet, Mr F.M.S. Douglas.
Silver bangle, Mr Ernest Blunt, R.E.
Case of silver napkin rings, the servants at Moorlands.
Silver flask, the servants at Harefield.
Toilet set in crocket, Mrs Balchin.
Handpainted toilet set, Miss Ethel Douglas.
Pair of china vases with raised flowers, the Misses Davison.
China bowl, Admiral and Mrs Coote.
Brass mounted mirror, Mr and Miss Coote.
Metal fancy inkstand, Mrs Willis Fleming.
Silver beaker and glass vase, Mr and Mrs Steuart Macnaghten.
Pair of china vases, Mr Frank Murray.
Silver tea kettle, Miss Gregory Smith (i.e.Constance Smith).
Picture and glass vase, General and Mrs Raymond.
Fancy table. Mr and Mrs Jackson.
Silver muffineers Mr and Mrs Holland.
Set of silver buttons, Mrs Herbert Norman.
Glass flower vases, Mrs Davison.
Pheasant-eye glass bowl, Canon Murray; and numerous others.
"The connection between the Douglases and all those Murrays is that one of Captain H Sholto Douglas'(father of the bridge) sisters, Marianne, married the Rev. George William Murray; Mr Sholto Murray and Mr Frank Murray are two of their sons. Miss Constance Smith is a grand daughter of theirs. Another of Captain H's sisters, Helen Douglas, married Rev. Thomas Boyles Murray, and their offspring include Mr & Mrs Douglas Murray, Colonel Murray.
Canon Murray mentioned at the end of the list of gifters is probably George William Murray, the husband of Marianne Douglas."
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