Vashenan Subscribers, I may be completely off base here, but since this was a German Reformed Church newspaper, written back in the 1830's, I believe that the connotation here and the word inst. may have a different meaning then that of today's society. Instead of the word inst. they should have used ordained. If you read the following you will see what I mean: "On the 3rd inst. by Rev. W. F. Colliflower, Mr. William Printz to Miss Lydia Coffelt, both of Shenandoah County, VA." The key here is instituted by Rev. W. F. Colliflower. He was the one ordaining or instituting the marriage. Back then in their world society, the Biblical Marriage was an institution of God and was and is still, a continuation of His work of creation. In the Scriptures, marriage is an institution in society that is of divine origin. It is governed by the laws of God and by the regulations of the society in which one lives to the extent that they do not conflict with the laws of God and Rev. W. F. Colliflower was the vessel ordaining the marriage. Today, the worldly interpretation would be entirely different as shown by the responses. Gloria B.

>From Free Press article "Pages from the Pass" 16 Aug 1848. Married on Thursday last near New Market by Rev.J.P. Cline, Mr. Jacob Baker to Miss. Hettie Zirkle. Died at Mt. Jackson on the 2d inst.of an infection of the brain, Charles Henry, youngest child of Rev. J.P. Cline. How about ..Apr.13th 1848.....on 2d ult. by Elder..... I think it was by the whim of the writer all meaning after the date of happening... Lena