Scandalous Elopements (1863)

news

Saturday, October 10, 1863

In this edition, two New Hampshire couples elope in amidst scandal and public shame

A correspondent of the Manchester American mentions two recent cases of elopement in this State, which at least are somewhat deplorable. One occurred in Plymouth and the second in Holderness. He gives the circumstances as follows:
A few days ago, Mr. Greely, one of the landlords of the Pemigewassett House, had occasion to make a business visit to Concord, and for the purpose took some $2000 belonging to various individuals and to the firm. About the same time a lady boarding at the Hotel, a Mrs. Holmes, whose husband does a travelling business in this section of the State, started on a journey to Vermont, to pass a few weeks with relatives in that State. The former went away with only a carpet-bag in hand, but soon after his departure it was discovered that his entire stock of clothing had been spirited away. The lady managed to get her wardrobe into three or four trunks, and being privileged thus to take her all, excited little attention. Suspicion was aroused too late to ascertain the whereabouts of the eloping pair. Mr. Greely was a bachelor, and for some time scandal has associated him with Mrs. Holmes in not too reputable intimacy. The affair naturally creates much talk and no little surprise, considering the social position of the parties, in which respect it is only equalled by the elopement of Mr. Smith, a member of the Legislature, and proprietor of the well-known Whiton place just over the river in Holderness, with the daughter of a neighboring farmer, who had been his hired girl. It took place immediately after the adjournment of the Legislature. During the session, the girl was a table waiter at the Eagle in Concord, and greatly astonished her associates with the number and richness of her silks and satins.

Subscribe to the NH Gazette

News about Portsmouth from Fosters.com