The Wedding

James Sibley Watson and Emily Sibley Watson, April 6, 1891, in front of their home at 11 Prince St., Rochester, NY

Emily and James Sibley Watson were married on April 6, 1891, in St. Andrews Church in Rochester, NY.  The wedding was officiated by the Rev. Algernon S. Crapsey.

The bride and groom had known each other all their lives, but were only able to marry after Emily's divorce from her first husband, Isaac S. Averell.

After a reception at their home at 11 Prince Street, the bride & groom traveled to the Niagara Hotel in Buffalo and on April 8th travelled to New York, where they stayed in the luxurious, newly-built Plaza Hotel, at the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street, on the southern edge of Central Park.

In a pair of letters dated April 7th and 9th, Emily and her mother Elizabeth Maria Tinker Sibley, reflect on the wedding festivities:

Emily wrote:

"Wasn't it a nice wedding? I thought it was just right...Tell J.G. [J.G. Averell, Emily's son by her first marriage] we had a sad time with his rice and I am glad one doesn't get married very often. I spent most of the evening brushing up the floor."

Elizabeth Sibley wrote:

"After you left on Mon - there were a few more congratulations, and pleasant wishes passed around then we left your house, "The Bird had flown," there was nothing to do but go home, and talk over the events of the day, which had been such a joyful one for every one, there could not have been a more happy family than were together on that day, the Groom seemed happy, the Bride radiant, and never looked more lovely."

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April 7th, 1891 letter from Emily Sibley Watson to Elizabeth Maria Tinker Sibley. Click on the letter to view transcription.

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April 9th, 1891 letter from Elizabeth Maria Tinker Sibley to Emily Sibley Watson. Click on the letter to view transcription.