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THE DAVENPORT-SHARPE WEDDING.

A BRILLIANT CEREMONY AT KINGSTON. 

THE FIRST DUTCH CHURCH GAYLY TRIMMED WITH FLOWERS-STARTING FOR A BRIDAL TOUR IN EUROPE. 

KINGSTON, April 27 (Special). -Miss Katherine Lawrence Sharpe, the only daughter of General George H. Sharpe, and Ira Davenport were married today. The wedding festivities began with an elaborate dinner given by General and Mrs. Sharpe to the bridal party yesterday afternoon, covers being laid for twenty-five. The marriage took place at the Main Street Reformed Church at half-past 3 p. m., the Rev. Dr. Van Slyke, the pastor, officiating. The pastor wore a Geneva gown and used the English Church ceremony. The old church is a large and imposing stone structure, standing in a beautifully shaded park in the midst of the business part of the city. The congregation has long boasted of having the finest church interior on the Hudson. It was made specially attractive by the florist, George Burgevine. In the large space about the pulpit rare potted plants were massed. There were nodding palms, azaleas, genistas, dracaenas and arbutis. In the pulpit were baskets and vases filled with choice roses and other cut flowers, and in front stood a large basket of flowers. Long before the appointed hour crowds of people were gathered in and about the spacious church, filling every seat save the part of the main auditorium which was reserved for the guests. Promptly at the hour set the long line of carriages containing the bridal party drew up at the main gate. The entrance was by the main aisle. The bride was led in by her father. She was richly arrayed in a gown of white satin, gracefully trimmed with white lilacs and old family point lace. She wore a long point-lace veil, pinned with lilacs and carried a bouquet of lilacs. Mr. Davenport was dressed in black, but his face was not as mournful as his clothes. The bride is an attractive brunette with sparkling eyes and fine regular features.

Ex-Senator Stephen H. Wendover, of Stuyvesant, was best man. The bridesmaids were Miss Susan S. Warren, Miss Mary McElroy, Albany; Miss Charlotte Sheperd, Philadelphia; Miss Lily Cameron Rogers, Buffalo, a niece of the groom; Miss Lulu Warren and Miss Helen Janeway. Their dresses were of point d'esprit. The first two wore corn color, the next two rose color, the others heliotrope. The ushers were Colonel J. M. Varnum, Assemblyman Robert Ray Hamilton, Severyn B. Sharpe and Captain Henry G. Sharpe, of the Army, brothers of the bride. Each bridesmaid carried a basket of spring flowers similar to her robe in colors. Mrs. General Sharpe wore black velvet and point lace with diamond ornaments; Mrs. Theodore Timpson, aunt of the bride, black lace with emerald ornaments. Mrs. Sherman S. Rogers, sister of the groom, was robed in purple and heliotrope velvet, with point lace and diamonds. Mrs. John Davenport was in black lace over heliotrope, with iridescent garniture, point lace and diamonds. Miss Kate Morgan, Captain Sharpe's fiancee, wore white lace, with pearl ornaments; Miss Fannie Rogers, white embroidered cashmere; Mrs. Henry Ball, black lace over satin duchesse lace; Mrs. Jenkins, moire antique and crape; Mrs. John Davis, black watered silk; Mrs. Ernest Tappey, white silk and heliotrope; Mrs. Cameron Davenport Waterman, black beaded China crepe and diamonds.

Among other prominent guests were Sherman S. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Fish, jr., John W. Vrooman, Surrogate Rollins, James W. Wadsworth, Mr. and Mrs. James Lenox Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Fordham Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Whitehead, General M. T. McMahon, Colonel Charles W. Ulrich, J. L. Benedict, General and Mrs. W. W. Averill, Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Warren, W. S. Burns and wife, and Thomas Lawrence.

The bridal party marched up the broad aisle to the strains of the "Lohengrin" wedding march, played by Mr. Osterhoudt, the organist. 

The bride was met in front of the pulpit by the bridegroom and his best man. She was given away by her father. After the ceremony the party repaired to the home of General Sharpe, where a reception was held. The mansion was transformed into a floral bower of beauty and fragrance. The bride and groom received the guests under an arch of smilax and the choicest roses. This was placed in the large drawing-room looking out upon the exact spot where General Grant stood to receive the people while on a visit to General Sharpe some years ago. Banks of flowers were upon the mantels and in the fireplaces. The stairways and chandeliers were intertwined with smilax, roses, lilies and other beautiful flowers.

The house was filled with guests and at the conclusion of the marriage reception all sat down to the wedding breakfast prepared and served by Mazzetti. Suspended from the chandelier over the breakfast table was a bunch of white clover, in honor of the bride, who is familiarly known as Kitty and used to be called "Kitty Clover" by the family in her youthful days. At the table a pleasing old Dutch custom known as sipping from the loving cup was observed. Mrs. Sharpe has an ancient silver cup with the family crest engraved upon it. This was filled with punch. The bride first sipped from it, then kissed it, handed it to the bridegroom, who passed it around, each guest sipping from it in turn.

The collection of presents to the bride was extensive, embracing a large variety of solid silver and gold articles, exquisite glass ware and valuable jewelry. A large upper room of the house was well nigh filled with these elegant wedding tributes. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport left for Boston this evening by way of the New-York Central, President Depew having tendered his own private car for their use. They will sail for Europe by the Cunard Line probably on Saturday, to remain for the summer, returning in the fall to take up their residence at Washington. Special drawing-room cars were in waiting on the West Shore to convey the guests to their homes.
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Sunday May 1. 1887. The day bright and pleasant though a fire felt comfortable in the morning.  I walked about the place which seems ten times more lonely in summer and pleasant weather than it does in winter and Sara gave expression to the same sentiment. My father seems pretty well. Sara is going on with the house cleaning and trying to keep cheerful in her loneliness by working all the time. I am unhappy and despondent and cannot hide my anxieties. I see so many things to be done that it appals me and a sense of helplessness sweeps over me. Girard told me that Mr. Chalker, the Doctors father died last night. His father is still living at the age of 97. The day has turned out warm although we still have fire in the hall stove.

Monday 2". I spent the day arranging my drawers and putting away some of my winter clothes. It was warm and genial and I kept from loneliness by being busy. Tom is drawing out the manure in the garden and the field where we plant the fodder corn. I have read in Mr. Channings life which I have nearly finished. What a spiritual, pure character, an ideal Christian. Sara went to a home meeting at 3 and a little before 4 I walked up to the station she joining me at the House on her way to Kingston. Louis [Hashouck?] sat in the seat with me coming down and we talked together. None of their family were at Kitty Sharpes wedding. Went to the Century and had some supper. Homer Martin came in and wants me to drive with them on Wednesday. I talked with Mr. Chambers and also with Champney. He says he has done remarkably well this winter. There is some thing lacking in me to account for my ill success and I wish I knew what it is. I found a letter from Lucy and a note from Mary saying Mrs. Carter wants to hire the apartment next the Studio Building and wants me to vouch for her character which is a very easy thing to do.

Tuesday 3. Days of utter and crushing weariness and trouble. I can't paint and have no heart or courage for any thing. Geo. Hall called and we talked of the hanging of our pictures at the Academy. He is very much offended with Eastman. When he left I dressed

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THE REV. RICHARD A. CHALKER
KINGSTON, N.Y., May 1 (Special). - The Rev. Richard A. Chalker died here last night, after a lingering illness. He belonged to the New-Jersey Conference, having sustained a supernumerary relation therewith for ten years. He was formerly a member of the New-York Conference, and was pastor of St. James Church here in 1855. He enjoyed the reputation of being an excellent preacher. His father is still living at the age of ninety-six. A son also survives him. 
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Transcription Notes:
05/10 First FULL pass complete ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-15 23:12:33