The Day Susanna and John Celebrated the Gold

2 Jan 1916

On January 2, 1916 Susanna and John Porter celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Jefferson Meadows, New Hampshire. Susanna and John had moved to New Hampshire from Ulverton, Quebec in 1902.  Attending the celebrations were 8 of their 11 children, along with 18 of their 19 grandchildren:

Mary Jane (Porter) King, daughter from Montreal
Richard Porter, son from Montreal
William John Porter (and wife), son from Dixville Notch, NH
Ernest George Porter (and wife), son from Dixville Notch, NH
Salome (Porter) Hepworth (and family), daughter from Kirkdale, Quebec
Pearl (Porter) Lowe (and children), daughter from Gorham, NH
Lilas (Porter) Keyser (and husband), daughter from Newport, VT
Cora Porter, daughter from Holderness, NH

A guest of honour was Sarah (Johnston) Placey, sister and bridesmaid of the bride and the only other person who had been at the wedding in 1866. A couple of close friends also attended, including Mrs. Stevens of Whitefield NH, formerly of Kirkdale and old friend of Susanna's.

The couple made so many friends in their 14 years in the Meadows, they all sent their wishes and said if John (age 75) wasn't so feeble, they would have another party for them the next day!


Gifts from the family included a lovely china dinner set decorated with a gold band, a Morris chair¹, and a purse of gold.  They also received many gold pieces from friends at the Meadows and in Canada.

Since January 2 was a Sunday the celebrations were subdued, unlike that of their wedding day 50 years ago.  Aunt Salome writes of what she heard tell about that day in 1866:

"After a beautiful afternoon ceremony at the Kirkdale Anglican Church, 20 carriages followed the wedding party to the home of the bride's parents, William and Mary Johnston. There a hearty dinner was served, followed by music and dancing until after 3 am!!"

It was a wonderful gathering of family and friends, and a chance for the siblings who lived far from each other to catch up on the news.




Susanna Johnston, b1846 to Mary Johnston and William Johnston
Married  1 January 1866 to
John Porter, b1840 to Margaret Manley and William Porter
My enate 2x great grandparents



¹ A Morris chair is a wooden chair with cushions, and is the precursor to the Lazyboy - the hinged back could be raised or lowered to several positions.