John Todd.
John Todd (1832-1920) married Margaret Spiers and they had nine children. John was a gamekeeper, mostly in southwestern Scotland. The family lived at Castle Douglas.
For many years, John Todd worked at a property named Balmaghie, near Castle Douglas.
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at No 88 Cotton St, Castle Douglas in 1856. There seems to be some confusion as they were actually married in 1857.
The report (which is damaged) of the event reads:
A GOLDEN WEDDING – As we mentioned last week, Mr and Mrs Todd, Little Mains, Castle Douglas, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding on the 14 inst.
Newspaper clipping of Todd anniversary.
To suit the convenience of the family (many of whom travelled long distances to be present) a quiet reunion was held on Sunday afternoon, instead of Friday, when twenty-four children and grandchildren, with a few friends, assembled to do honour to the occasion.
The only absentees in the family were Mr and Mrs Silver (son-in-law and daughter) and four children, Australia, and the following grandchildren: – Mr John Hutchinson, South Africa; Mr and Mrs R.T. Hutchinson and Messrs Robert and James Hutchinson, Saskatchewan, Canada.
On behalf of the family Mr James Todd, Newcastle-on-Tyne, presented to the couple a massive marble clock and a purse? of sovereigns.
In making the presentation, Mr James Todd expressed the hope that more years were in store for the couple, and that they would be able to witness their diamond wedding ?.
Mr John Todd, in a short but reminiscent ? thanked the family for their kindness ? and providing such a substantial reminder ? golden wedding.
Besides the family ? many valuable mementoes have come ? from friends in the district, testifying to the esteem in which Mr and Mrs Todd are held by those who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
The clock bore the following inscription: – “Golden wedding: 1856-1906. Presented to Mr and Mrs Todd by family along with a purse of gold.”