The earliest marriage on record in Knox County is that of William Sapp and Eleander Waide, who were married on June 28, 1808, by Abm. Darling. It was recorded Sept. 9, 1809, by James Smith, clerk. The entry in the little book, which is in a fair state of preservation, reads as follows: "Acting as a justice of the peace do hereby certify that on advertisement agreeable to law I have joined together in matrimony William Sapp and Eleander Wade, both of this county. -- Abm. Darling" In 1808 six marriages were recorded. In 1835 there were 218 marriages, in 1836, 239, in 1837, 254, and in 1838, 226. Among the licenses granted in 1838 was one to Jerome Rowley and Maria Wilkins, both of whom are still living in this city, having on Feb. 22, 1902, celebrated the sixty-fourth anniversary of their marriage. source: Bellville Messenger: 23 May 1902, Vol. X, No. 21 as reprinted from the Mt. Vernon Republican