I'm NOT Barbara Painter, the writer of this article... I'm not related to any of the people in this, just transcribed it, for those who might be related. In the late fall of 1801 MICHAEL STROUP came to New Market, Highland Co., Ohio after a long and tedious trip from Maryland. There was something both comic and heroic in the picture he presented. On his head he carried an eighteen gallon copper kettle, on his back, a pack of tools, and in his hand, a quantity of wool. He was a manufacturer of hats and in this capacity became famous in, after years throughout the pioneer settlements of central Ohio. In March, 1803, our friend, Michael Stroup and POLLY WALKER were united in marriage. The history of this wedding, as given in Scott's history, is amusing, also valuable as a picture of the character and moral tone of social life of the time. "Miss Walker was a very handsome, black-eyed girl of eighteen, who had emigrated from Fleming County, Kentucky, with her mother and step-father in 1801. She wore on this occasion a nice plain cap on her head, white silk gloves, a plain light-figured calico, which cost one dollar per yard. Most of those who could get it preferred white muslin worth two dollars a yard; often however, they wore homespun, as meeting all requirements. The groom was dressed in brown dress coat, and pants, white marseilles vest, white socks and low quartered shoes and white kid gloves. The wedding took place at 2 p.m. The party was small and the ceremony performed by Squire Oliver Ross. "Well, said the squire, in his peculiar Irish style, we have et today to join together in holy matrimony Michael Stroup and Polly Walker, as respectable a couple as iver the Lord brought together. Now I hope that not one of you will have any objections to their gettin' married. Join your hands. wall, Mr. Mike, will you take Miss Polly as good looking and virtous a young lady as iver the Virgin Mary was, to be yer lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to forsake all others (now by the Lord, Mike, you must quit your running after other girls and cling to her alone, will ye Mike?) "Yes, yes", said the groom. "Oh, by God, yes." Miss polly, will you take Mike, whom you hold by his right hand, to be your wedded husband, he is worthy, for he is as sprightly a young man as iver wore a pair of buckskin brokins you promise to forsake all others-but what the devil's to make a woman promise that, when you know they won't keep their promise, but I think you are an exception-will you cling to him till it pleases the Lord to separate you by death, will you, Polly? I know you will." "Yes". Now go home and raise your children for the Lord. The Lord bless you". Long and lovingly this couple lived in the enjoyment of their share of temporal blessing, seeing their fourteen children grow up like olive branches around their table. This couple were my 5th gr grandparents and this story is taken from the State Centennial History of Highland County Ohio", volume 2, by Klise. Barbara Painter