A Traditional New Gretna Wedding

Last Friday, we discussed the origin of our town's name, New Gretna, which led us into a discussion of some non traditional marriage customs, including the popularity of couples eloping to Elkton, Maryland to tie the knot.

Today, I thought we would feature a traditional New Gretna church marriage of the parents of a dyed in the wool Blog reader, Jim McAnney. I hope he enjoys reading about this important event in his life, as he has his morning coffee with the Blog.

The article is from the Tuckerton Beacon. The photos were given to me by Peg McAnney, the bride, and Jim's mother.

MARRIED

Cramer – McAnney

The First Presbyterian Church, New Gretna was the scene of a pretty wedding ceremony on Saturday after­noon, January 26, 1946, at 2 o'clock, when Miss Margaret Cramer, daugh­ter of Mr. and Mrs. Doughty V. Cra­mer, became the bride of Reuben Mc­Anney, son of Mr. Alvin B. McAnney, of New Gretna, N. J. and Mrs. Della McAnney of Pleasantville, N. J.

The double ring ceremony was per­formed by the Rev. Ernest C. Enslin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Bridesburg, Pa., brother-in-law of the bride. The bride was at­tractive in a powder-blue suit with black accessories, she wore a corsage of white gardenias and carried a white prayer book. The grooms sister, Mrs. Sylvester Bishop, of Oaklyn, N. J. was matron of honor, she was attired in a dress of gold wool crepe with brown accessories, her corsage was pink carnations. Preston Cramer, bro­ther of the bride, acted as best man.

Mrs. Doughty Cramer, mother of the bride, wore an aqua silk crepe dress with a black veiled trimmed hat and black accessories. Her corsage was of pink carnations. Mrs. Della McAn­ney, mother of the groom, wore a navy and white floral print dress with a small hat and veil, and white accessor­ies. Her corsage was of pink carna­tions. A reception followed at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Doughty V. Cramer.

Attending the wedding and recep­tion were: Rev. and Mrs. E. C. Enslin, of Bridesburg, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Syl­vester Bishop and daughter, Miss Marie Bishop, of Oaklyn, N. J., Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Bowen and children Shirley and Alvin of Oceanville, N. J., Mrs. Della McAnney and Mr. Aubrey Hickman, of Pleasantville, N. J., Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Steele, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Preston Cramer and daughter, Joyce, Mr. Joseph B. Cramer, Miss Elsie Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Doughty V. Cramer of New Gretna, N. J. Short­ly after the reception the young couple left by motor car for a trip down to Florida. They have the best wishes of their many friends for a happy and long wedded life.

Tuckerton Beacon - January 31, 1946

The wedding invitation was mailed out to friends and family.

The New Gretna Presbyterian Church, in the 1940's, was the scene of many traditional marriages in New Gretna, including that of Ruby and Peg McAnney. (Photo courtesy of Robert and Elaine Mathis.)

Ruby and Peg McAnney on their wedding day.

The happy couple flanked by their best man, Preston Cramer, and maid of honor, Irene McAnney Bishop.

The wedding reception was held at the North Maple Avenue home of Doughty and Alberta Cramer, the parents of the bride. (1955 photo courtesy of Peg Cramer McAnney.)

About a year and a half later, along came a little bundle of joy, James R. McAnney.

Peg McAnney with son, Jim, who was born April 4, 1947.

Jim has been a supporter and contributor to both the Blog and the Bass River Gazette. His story, "Boyhood Memories of Allen's Dock", is the lead story in the March, 2009 edition of the Gazette. You can read it by clicking on the link below:

http://bassriver-nj.org/pdf/h-gazette23--mar-2009.pdf

Pete S