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======= A WHIG WEDDING IN THE REVOLUTION - In Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet for June 17, 1778, then published at Lancaster during the occupation of Philadelphia by the British we find the following reference to the marriage of Jane, daughter of Rev. John Roan to William Clingan: "Was married last Thursday (June 11, 1778), Mr. William Clingan Jr., of Donegal, to Miss Jenny Roan, of Londonderry, both of this county of Lancaster, a sober, sensible, agreeable young couple, and very sincere Whigs. This marriage promises as much happiness as the state of things in this, our sinful world will admit. This was truly a Whig wedding, as there were present many young gentlemen and ladies, and not one of the gentlemen but had been out when called on in the service of the country, and it was well known that the groom in particular had proved his heroism as well as Whigism, in several battles and skirmishes. After the marriage was ended a motion was made and heartily agreed to by all present, that the young unmarried ladies should form themselves into an association by the name of Whig Association of the Unmarried Ladies of America, in which they should pledge thier honor that they would never give their hand in marriage to any gentleman until he had first proved himself a patriot, in readily turning out when called to defend his country from slavery, by a spirited and brave conduct as they would not wish to be the mothers of a race of slaves and cowards." All honor to the memories of those patriotic women of Dauphin in the War for Independence! |