Baldwin County (Georgia) Cemeteries
More information
More information
Mattie M. Benford
Inscription and Notes:
Mrs. Mattie M. Finney Benford
From the Union Recorder October 11, 1892:
"On last Thursday evening Mrs. Mattie M. Finney was united in marriage to Mr. Ashe Benford, Rev. J.D. Chapman, officiating.
During a thunder storm in June, 1891, Mr. Charles B. Finney, while returning from his field, was killed by a stroke of lightning. He left a pretty young widow and two children who went to reside with her father and mother, Mr. And Mrs. Daniel Brewer, whose pretty home is a mile or two southwest of Scottsboro. In a happy home amid pleasant surroundings, the roses bloomed again on the cheeks of the widow and her children were the pets of the household.
That Mrs. Mattie Finney should decide to marry again was not strange. And yet the fact was a surprise and a shock to her parents, and they entered their most determined opposition to her marriage, especially to Mr. Benford. She was appealed to by relatives and friends, all to no purpose.
Last Thursday afternoon Mr. Benford appeared at the Brewer homestead and was met at the door by Mrs. Brewer with a pistol in hand and requested to leave. The young lover, however, produced his license, which the angry mother snatched from his hand and tore to pieces. Mr. Brewer then appeared on the scene, and the war of words grew furious. In the meantime, Mrs. Finney came out and proceeded to the buggy in waiting and together they drove off, leaving her children crying. Later they were joined by Mr. Benford's sister and the party started to Milledgeville. On the way, learning that Rev. J.D. Chapman would hold a prayer meeting that evening at Mr. Farell's at the Asylum, they determined to stop there. Leaving the ladies there, Mr. Benford came on to the city and obtained another license, and the ceremony was performed by Mr. Chapman. It was doubtless the original intention of Mr. Benford to go before a justice of the peace in his neighborhood and have the ceremony performed but the destruction of his license required a change of his plans.
While sympathizing with the parents in their distress over a marriage so antagonistic to their wishes we must congratulate the happy pair in the successful termination of one of the most romantic marriages that ever occurred in Baldwin county. The pluck and determination displayed by the bridegroom in securing his bride will doubtless make for her a happy home."