Return to Tinnin. Jasper S. Lee
that they wanted to marry and spend their lives together. Ma listened patiently and then said, "You know your Pa. He wants good for his daughters; he wants the best for each of you. I suspect you should heed what he has said."
Ellen continued talking with Ma with thoughts about the future. She said that she and Jasper could live in the house for a short while, work, and then get a place of their own. She also said another way for them to stay was to set aside certain land for them and they would work it. Anyway, the farm was plenty large enough for another worker and to support one additional person. She reminded Ma that the slaves were about gone and that the farm needed more workers to do what they had formerly done. Always promoting Jasper, Ellen indicated that he was a skilled farm worker who knew how to go about getting things done.
After a night of trying to sleep on a pallet of corn shucks in a cotton-pick sack, Jasper was up early. The only family member up was Ellen. Jasper was preparing to leave. But no one knew that Ellen had come into the closet where Jasper slept on a pallet after all were asleep. They agreed that she would be leaving with him. They would catch the train to Brandon and go to the Clerk's office to get a marriage license. Jasper had saved $62 from his work; Ellen had only a couple of dollars.
So, Ellen was also discretely packing. She didn't want to alarm family members and create additional anger. It was soon time to go. Pa did not yet know that Ellen was also leaving. He spoke to Ellen, saying that she could not use the wagon to take Jasper to the depot in Clinton. At that point, Ellen knew she had to provide more details.
"Pa," Ellen said, "I am leaving with Jasper. Our plans are to get married day after tomorrow in Clinton at the home of the Institute for Women (Hillman College) chaplain, Reverend Autry. We will get our license this afternoon at the Clerk's office in Brandon."
Pa shouted, "No!" Ellen indicated that his thoughts didn't much matter at this stage. Pa went further. "You ain't staying at this house--not ever. If you marry him, you leave here." Ellen shed a couple of tears and accepted what her father said.
Ellen was beginning to realize that she might never see her ma, sisters, and brothers again. She hugged each and said goodbye. But, Pa was too bitter for a hug.
Ellen and Jasper left, walking up the hill trail with each carrying a few possessions. They walked to the home of her cousin Susan Ratliff. Ellen knocked firmly on the door. Susan came to the door all sleepy-eyed. Ellen explained that she and Jasper needed a ride to the depot in Clinton and very soon. "We have a train to catch in about an hour." Susan quickly got ready and had her brother join them as they hitched horses to the wagon and headed out.
As they rode to the depot, Ellen told Susan the couple's plans. She asked Susan to go by and tell Ma what they were doing on her way back home. As they approached the depot, they went a hundred yards or so out of the way to Reverend Autry's home. There they met with him and said they were on their way to get a marriage license. He agreed to perform the rites of matrimony the next day at 3:00 p.m. in his home. Ellen said that a few family members and friends might attend but no more than 10 people.
Afterward, Ellen asked Susan to also share the details of the wedding with Ma and Susan's own family; she wanted them to come to the wedding. She asked Susan if she would be her attendant and wear a Sunday school dress. Then Jasper and Ellen bought tickets and caught the train to Brandon.
The train arrived in Brandon just in time for Jasper and Ellen to go to the Clerk's office on Government Street to get the license. The Clerk was Henry Cole. He quickly issued a marriage license dated March 1, 1864. The license granted an authorized individual to "Celebrate the Rites of Matrimony of Jasper H. Lee and Ellen L. Sheppard." (Ellen noticed that her last name had an extra "p," but she didn't say anything.)
Ellen and Jasper then went to Mulholland's Store just across the roadway to get a dress for her and coat and pants for him. Ellen got what she wanted--a simple white dress! It had a tiny waist, had a bow on the back, and properly emphasized her feminine features. Jasper got a navy jacket and pants. Money was short; they would have to wear the shoes they had. They went to the jewelry area of the store and bought $2 wedding bands. Then it was to Sister Annie's Boarding House for the night. They had to share a small bed that night but Ellen remained true to wearing a white wedding dress.
They were up about usual time the next morning preparing to catch the train to Clinton. And, were they excited! Jasper walked about a quarter mile to the job office of the railroad and said that he was quitting. He thanked everyone for allowing him to have the job. Of course, his job supervisor grumbled something about such a short notice. Jasper said he was sorry, but it would have to be that way. He told the desk clerk at the boarding house that he would not be back. He told the people at both places that he was about to marry the woman of his dreams.
Jasper packed what little he had into a small, ragged suitcase. Ellen had what she brought the previous day. They wore their wedding clothes. Jasper folded the marriage license and placed it in the pocket of his coat--he didn't want to lose it.
After a half-mile walk to the depot, they bought tickets and boarded the 11:48 a.m. train to Jackson and Clinton. The train arrived in Clinton at 2:08 p.m.; fortunately it was on time. They walked the short distance to the home of Reverend Autry on the campus of the Institute for Women, or at least what was left of it after Civil War destruction.
They arrived at the house a little early and waited under a tree in the front yard. Just before they were ready to go in, a wagon arrived with Ellen's cousin Susan and Susan's brother and parents. Greetings were exchanged. Close behind was a wagon with Ma, Rachel, Mag, Naomi, and Georgia Ann. The other siblings stayed at home with Pa, who didn't want them to see the wedding. He didn't want Ma or the other children to go either, but Ma was firm and went. Jasper had no family or friends present. Maybe that was appropriate, as no one knew his family, much less anything about him.
Some residents of the Tinnin community thought it was sad that Pa didn't come to the wedding of his oldest daughter. He was very upset. He felt that Ellen was misjudging Jasper. He sent word for the newly married couple not to come to the house and that he never wanted to see Jasper again. This was heartbreaking to Ellen. A family divide had occurred. Ellen might never again see her parents.
Almost everyone wore Sunday school clothes. Ellen freshened a tad in a side room and came out as a radiant bride. The bride and groom quickly reviewed details with the preacher. Jasper gave the preacher the marriage license (which he later signed and returned to the Rankin County Clerk's office).
Reverend Autry performed the ceremony in the front room of the house. Being Baptist, he more or less used Baptist wedding vows. The ceremony was kept simple. Susan held the ring Ellen had for Jasper; Jasper held the ring he had for Ellen. After announcing why they were there, the preacher had a short prayer asking for God's blessing of the union between Jasper and Ellen. He then went into recitation of the wedding vows.
The preacher spoke: "Will you, Ellen, have Jasper to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, and keep him, forsaking all others to remain true to him? Will you honor him, submit to him, and strive to follow his direction as his helpmate? If so, say, 'I do.'"
Ellen said, "I do."
The preacher continued. "Repeat after me: "I, Ellen, take thee, Jasper, to be my husband, and before God and these witnesses, I promise to be a faithful, obedient, and true wife.'" Ellen repeated the vow.
Next, Reverend Autry spoke to Jasper: "Will you, Jasper, take Ellen to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, and keep her, forsaking all others? If so, say, 'I do.'"
Jasper said, "I do."
The preacher continued. "Repeat after me: 'I, Jasper, take thee, Ellen, to be my wife, and before God and these witnesses, I promise to be a faithful and true husband.'" Jasper looked and smiled at Ellen and repeated the statement.
Reverend Autry called for the exchange of rings. Susan passed Jasper's ring to Ellen. Ellen repeated the words the preacher had asked her to say as she slipped the ring on Jasper's finger: "With this ring I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, 'til death