Can anyone tell me why a couple would get married in the middle of a public road as in the following Pike County, Georgia, marriage announcement from an 1895 newspaper? Although it states that there were parental objections, I don't know the reason for the marriage to take place in a road. I have a second marriage notice for another couple that states they, too, were married in a public road, so I surmise that there was a specific reason for this. The Pike County Journal. Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia, May 31, 1895 Marriage On Sunday afternoon about three o'clock, Mr. James R. Bennett of Griffin, was united in marriage to Miss Zella Davis of Zetella, the ceremony being performed by Rev. J.A. Drewry. There being parental objections on the part of the young ladies parents, the marriage took place in the public road about a mile east of Zetella near the Dupree place, after which the party returned to Griffin. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Davis and is a most charming young woman and the groom is a young gentleman who is well known and popular. The young couple have many friends to tender congratulations. They are at present domiciled at the home of Mr. Bennett's parents in Griffin. (Transcribed 11/03/02 Lynn Cunningham)