The Weston Democrat

Marrying in the Centennial Year.—It is a singular fact that during the year ending December 31st, 1876, Squire Woofter issued exactly 100 marriage licenses—one for every year of our national existence.

The first couple made happy by the consent of the State to their proceedings, was Norman B. Blake and Mary J. Ables—both of whom are put down at 21 years of age. The 100th, or Centennial couple, are James H. North and Mary J. West.—The Squire was very anxious to secure the even 100, and after that number was reached was equally alarmed lest some couple of sinners should come along and deform the beauty of his figures. But the Goddess of Liberty—(and here we have no allusion to quarrelsome wives)—intervened, and it appears on the record that Squire Woofter is the only Centennial marriage license man thus far reported.—

By reference to the license book for the past six years, we find that the last year presents a very gratifying increase in that important branch of domestic industry. In 1870, 82 couples were applicants for license; in 1871, only 76 couples were made happy; in 1872, the number fell to 67; in 1873 the market again took a rise, and increased to 76; in 1874, 85 pairs of souls with but a single thought leapt into the silken bonds; in 1875, 81 yoke of bachelors and spinsters forsook the evils of single cussedness; but it was reserved for the Centennial year to jump away ahead of its predecessors, and report a greater number than ever before. It is said, however, that a large portion of the credit for this gratifying statement is due to Squire Woofter, who, appreciating its importance to any growing community, has always smiled a sweet assent, and lent a helping hand, in fact, to all who desired to follow out, in due form, the scriptural injunction, commanding the people to “increase, multiply, and replenish the earth.”