GOLDEN WEDDING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 104, 30 April 1909, Page 5

GOLDEN WEDDING.

THOMAS—RULE, 1859-1909

Mr and Mrs E. Thomas, of Main Street, are to-day celebrating their golden wedding by a gathering ot relatives and friends at their residence in Main Street. On April 30, 3859, Mr E. Thomas, youngest son oi Thomas Thomas, miner, was united in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Rule, second surviving daughter of- Captain Richard Rule. The ceremony took r»lace at the Methodist Chapel, Hayle, Cornwall. Mr Thomas was born at Cantomer, Cornwall, on May Md, 1833 and Mrs Thomas at Swansea, Wales, in 1837. For a short timeafter their marriage Mr Thomas worked in the mines. During his early life he several times met "Billy" Bray, the famous Cornish evangelist, and retains-* vivid memory of the "good old days" of Cornish Methodism. On the 29th of July, 1863, Mr and Mrs Thomas left London by the " Magnum' Bonum, arriving in Nelson on November 14th of the same year. It is noteworthy that Mr and Mrs G. Morcom were fellow-passengers with them from the Homeland, and the friendship then formed has since been cemented by the marriage of Mr T. Morcom to Miss Alice Thomas. Early m 1861 Mr and Mrs Thomas settled in Marlborough, where they have resided ever since and where they hope to spend the evening of their days. During thoir long residence here they have won the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends, who. "unite in wishing them every happiness and prosperity during, their declining years. There are five children living, Mr W. Thomas, of Dannevirke, beino- the only son; the daughters are Miss Thomas, Mrs T. Morcom ani Mrs W. Smart, of Blenheim, and Mrs J. Wilkins, of Nelson. There are also eleven grand-children. Mr Thomas is the only survivor of his own family. Mrs Thomas had seven brothers, all of whom took to a seafaring life. Of these only two survive. ~.f-"~