Show and Splendor: Celeberating a Wedding in 1809

Show and Splendor: Celeberating a Wedding in 1809
Historic Charleston Foundation

The wedding of Arthur Middleton of Bolton Plantation to Alicia Russell, elder daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Russell, was the highlight of the 1808-1809 social season in Charleston. Their marriage united two of the city's most prominent families from the separate worlds of Lowcountry planter aristocracy and urban merchant-class elite.

Arthur Middleton was the son of Thomas Middleton and his wife, Anne Manigault, whose plantation home, Vaucluse, was situated on the Ashley River.

In early 1808, Arthur's relatives were writing to one another about the attentions he was paying young Alicia Russell. By June, Ralph Izard reported to his mother, "I believe I am correct when I assert my Brother-in-law Arthur is engaged to Miss Alicia Russell. He is in high luck, as the lady has been sought by many with little success."

Gabriel and Margaret Izard Manigault, who made their home in the North, were visiting Charleston in the winter of 1808-1809. Mrs. Manigault faithfully wrote to her mother and friends to report the latest Charleston social news, including a running commentary on the wedding plans of Arthur and Alicia.

By February 1809, for example, Margaret Manigault wondered whether the engagement might have been broken, "Arthur's marriage is never mentioned now, and if he did not continue to visit the house, and to gallant the lady, I should suppose it was off."

Whatever the reason for the uncertainty, it ended on Thursday, March 9, 1809, when Alicia and Arthur were married. Guests celebrated at a ball held by the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Russell, at their elegant Meeting Street home.

Margaret Manigault spread the news to all in her circle. To Mrs. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney she reported, "We have been very gay in Charleston. Arthur was fortunate enough to select a very pleasing little woman for his mate. We must have thought so, had she possessed only her pretty countenance and soft winning manners. Her ample fortune [doesn't hurt a bit]. There was a dance at the wedding... Mr. and Mrs. Henry Middleton gave a very pretty one Friday following. Mrs. Tom Middleton [the groom's mother] gives hers tomorrow. Mr. and Mrs. [Joseph] Manigault theirs on Friday."

Yet more parties followed in quick succession. "Arthur and his little bride went to [Vaucluse] yesterday morning. They return on Monday to receive more fetes," Margaret Manigault wrote. "Arthur has made for himself a very snug nest, and his example is not without imitators. The little sister, Sarah Russell, has had several suitors already, though scarcely grown up..."

The giddy social pace was beginning to take its toll, on Mrs. Manigault at least. "I have spent the night at a ball - and I have a headache to show for it. It is understandable. This ball was given by Mrs. Henry Middleton - and it was jolly, well-conducted, and much less tiring than most balls. Nevertheless there is something sad and mortally boring about a ball here. At present it is too hot - in general a poor woman perishes of fatigue on a chair - not being able to take part in conversation - but this one was better. We had a little music. We had a little party of casino - and we talked and talked. You know that Mrs. Middleton is on my short list [of friends]. She is just the type that we love. She is good, amiable - she raises her children - she cultivates her spirit, and she neglects neither her talents nor her person."

Margaret Manigault wrote in another letter, "Mrs. Henry Middleton appeared so desirous that I should go to her Ball & pressed me so kindly that I consented. That was last Friday. It was a very pleasant, & well conducted, & sociable party. It began with music... Mrs. Middleton... played a piece on the Harp... Mrs. Mid. Was frightened, but played with much taste..."

Mrs. Manigault continued, "Our dissipation is not over. Mrs. T. Middleton [the groom's mother] gives a ball next Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. J. Middleton are on Friday."

Mrs. Manigault's mother responded with some sage advice. "I dare say it will give Arthur & Alicia more pleasure to dine with you in the family way, than that you should give them a great entertainment," she wrote sensibly, "They must be tired of show & splendor."

From the Middleton Family Letter, fall 1992