An interesting article published in the "Cardigan Observer, and General Advertiser For the Counties
of Cardigan, Carmarthen and Pembroke" dated 30th June 1888.
"Some excitement was caused in the town on Saturday last by a
marriage somewhat out of the ordinary rut. The bride, Mary Gronnow, of Quarrel, Brynberian, was only eighty-four,
and rather dressy for her age, while the foud bride- groom was some
twenty-eight years her junior, and the trials, troubles and other amusements of
this mundane existence had passed him lightly by. The bride appeared at the
Registrar's Office, where the imposing ceremony was performed, in ancient Welsh
costume, including a spotted handkerchief round her head, and clogs on her
feet; but, in honor of the occasion, she went direct from the office to the
tradesmen, and was rigged out in a fashionable hat, a gaudy-coloured shawl, and
a pair of little high-heeled boots. Arrayed in her new habiliments she
presented quiite a frisky appearance, and she would doubtless look well in the
dusk with the light behind her. I do not know how many times previously the
bride had gone through a similar ceremony, but under the most favorable
circumstances she cannot expect to repeat it more than half-a-dozen times at
the outside, and it would therefore be unkind to blame her for investing in a
bit of finery to celebrate the event. But little interest seemed to centre in
the bridegroom, poor man and the general opinion was that he was wise in
marrying someone old enough to take care of him; but, like most young fellows
of fifty-six who marry women old enough to be their mothers, he will have to
play second fiddle I am afraid.."
Mary Williams was her name, and she had been previously married to Stephen Gronow a Mason of Pantywdyn, Nevern, Pembrokeshire. The widow Mary would it seem, have married one John Bowen, sadly he does not seem to have enjoyed a long marrage. Mary is again a widow in 1891. Her age may have been slightly exaggerated for the story, she was more likely to be about 74 years of age.
