A Tin Wedding in Rutland 1867

Hattie Blakely

Feb 25 – Hattie Blakely, attending Rutland High School, wrote home to her parents:

[Rutland  Sep 21st 1867]

“Dear Parents,

               I hope you are all well.  I am quite so, and interested very much in the school.  Monday evening I went to a tin wedding.”  

tin lantern

This mention of a “tin wedding” raises so many questions!  First, it seems that this was a new experience for her.  She used the term, showing off her new knowledge, but did not explain it.  This may mean that she knew that her parents would understand what she meant.  I had never heard of this, so I did a little research.  A tin wedding is a 10^th wedding anniversary.  These celebrations had become popular in this time period.  But Hattie was living with her Uncle Marshall who was a tinsmith.  Could there have been a special significance to this kind of celebration for tinsmiths?

pierced tin pie safe

If this tin wedding was a new and interesting experience, why did she not describe any of it?  Who were the participants and how was Hattie included in the invitation?  Were the celebrants some friends of Marshall and Mary?  Business acquaintances of theirs in the tin trade?  Did she meet any interesting people at this party?  How was the couple’s anniversary celebrated?  Did anyone make a speech?  Did anyone play any music?  Hattie would surely be interested in that.  How was tin included?  Gifts of tin lanterns, candlesticks, a pierced tin pie safe, & such?  The girl doesn’t even mention the party food or any fancy clothing!  She is trying very hard to be a serious & studious young lady, but surely a conscientious letter-writer would share more details of her experiences.