50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE (1844-1894):

50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE (1844-1894):

AMELIA ALMIRA HILLS AND JOSEPH OLMSTEAD HURLBURT

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Amelia Almira Hills (1825-1912) and Joseph Olmstead Hurlburt (1822-1899), five generations back from me, were the great-grandparents of my maternal grandfather, Frederick Roberts Ackley. Over the course of their fifty-five year marriage, they had five children. They lived in Wethersfield, Connecticut, three houses away from the Wethersfield Academy, where Joseph was a respected educator for many years.

In 1894, on the occasion of their Golden Anniversary, celebrating fifty years of marriage, the Hurlburts gave a reception at their home, hosting four generations of their family, as well as many of their friends and neighbors. An article that appeared in a local newspaper at the time describes the event:

“GOLDEN WEDDING RECEPTION

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Olmstead Hurlburt gave a golden wedding reception at their residence on Main street, Wethersfield, Tuesday, to their hundreds of friends, from 4 till 6 and from 7 till 9 pm. The house was beautifully decorated with flowers for the occasion. Over the piano, at which Miss Edyth Harrington presided, were the significant numerals, 1844-1894. The presents were beautiful as well as numerous. Among those most highly prized was $80 in gold from former pupils. There were also given from other friends gold coins to a like amount, besides gold spoons, thimbles, salts, etc. The “Bridal Loaf,” made and presented by Mrs. Albro Morgan, was a beauty, and will without doubt prove as nice as it looks when it comes to be eaten. Four generations were represented and all but one assisted in the reception, and even that one extended a voice of welcome.

Many friends from out of town were present and not the least welcome were Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Hallett of Winsted, who were groomsman and bridesmaid at Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt's wedding fifty years ago and who were married four years later.

In the dining room light refreshments were served by the daughters and grandchildren, assisted by Mrs. Carter of East Hartford, who presided at the coffee and chocolate urns.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt may well feel a pride in the ready response accorded them by Mr. Hurlburt's former pupils in their attendance and in the presents received, and Wethersfield feels a pride in its old “schoolmaster,” who so strongly holds the respect and esteem of all with whom he ever came in contact.”

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