Vows: Ann Heron Croghan to General Thomas Sidney Jesup

Major William Croghan and his wife, Mrs. Lucy Clark Croghan of Kentucky request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter

Ann Heron Croghan

to

General Thomas Sidney Jesup

Saturday, the Eighteenth of July, Eighteen Hundred and Twenty-Two

 Four O’Clock in the afternoon

Locust Grove, Kentucky.

 A picnic will precede the ceremony, commencing at noon with a reception to follow at five o’clock.  Dancing for reserved guests will be held from seven o’clock to ten o’clock in the evening.

Miss Croghan was born at Locust Grove on October 20, 1797, the fourth of eight children, and the eldest daughter. She is the grand-daughter of John and Ann Clark, the niece of General George Rogers Clark and Captain William Clark, and the sister of Dr. John Croghan and Colonel George Croghan. Ann was educated at home and at the Domestic Academy in Springfield, Kentucky, and is an accomplished pianist.

General Jesup was born in Berkeley County, Virginia on December 16, 1788. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1818 and served under General James Wilkinson in the army on the Mississippi. He was later selected as Brigade Major by General William Hull, and was a prisoner of war in Montreal after the American surrender at Detroit. After  his parole, Jesup was made commander of the 25^th infantry in April 1813, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel after the Battle of Chippewa. He suffered an injury to his right hand in July of that year during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, and was commander in New Orleans in 1815. General Jesup was appointed Quartermaster General of the United States Army on May 8, 1818 by President James Monroe.

The groom was encouraged in his courtship of Ann by George Hancock, the husband of Elizabeth (Eliza) Hancock, neé Croghan, the bride’s sister. Indeed, Mr. Hancock wrote to General Jesup on two separate occasions regarding the match, as Miss Croghan had attracted the attention of several gentlemen in addition to General Jesup. First, in August of 1821, Mr. Hancock wrote:

“…Your having heard that Miss Cn was to be married to Mr B is another instance of the disposition of mankind to circulate reports, that have not the smallest grains for their origin…  Mr. B. has been only once or twice I believe at locust grove since the death of Mrs B.; … I again declair that she never would have married D.; …”

Later, in August of 1821,  Hancock assured Jesup of the efficacy of his attachment to Miss Croghan, writing:               “…You must have been impressed with the belief that Miss A [Ann Croghan] was engaged to D. [Davis]… I most positively say that she never was engaged to him, … At the time you addressed her I know that she intended to have you, and the morning you addressed her at Mrs Prestons that she had determined to engage herself, but was advised by a Female Friend first to consult her Father, & she determined not to encourage you until she had & supposed that she would in a short time see you in Washington, when if her father consented she would engage herself.” The couple became engaged in the spring of 1822.

The wedding is anticipated with much excitement by the extended family of the bride, as her uncle John O’Fallon has commented to his brother-in-law Dennis Fitzhugh “I suppose on the occasion of so great a match for Ann Croghan there will be a splendid wedding accompanied with much hustle and display.” The couple will be attended by members of their families during the Presbyterian ceremony.

Following their marriage, the couple will divide their time between Washington City and Locust Grove. General Jesup is encouraged by the promise of the Kentucky frontier, and has been known to remark that “The Society of Kentucky is more to my taste than that of the Atlantic – they have here, more of the frippery of fashion the trappings of State, and, perhaps, of the refinements of literature than we have in the West; but they are without that manliness of mind – that enthusiasm and chivalry which form so prominent a feature in the character of Kentucky.”

Read more about Ann Croghan and Thomas Jesup’s wedding here. 

No RSVP is necessary for the wedding; however, reservations will be taken for the ball to follow. The bride and groom have asked that in lieu of gifts, donations of $8 for adults and $4 for children to be given to Locust Grove (picnic and wedding). Children 6 years of age are not expected to present gifts.  The picnic is a timeline event and guests are encouraged to wear historic attire from any time period they so desire. The ball is $12 per adult and $6 for children. Further information regarding this joyous occasion may be found here. Miss Croghan and General Jesup look forward to the pleasure of your company.

(Engagement portraits courtesy of Heather Hiner of Fox and Rose Photography)