A 150 yr-old marriage license was found hidden in a painting…

An antique painting donated to a thrift store in New Jersey had something special hidden inside… a 150 year old marriage license! 

 

The license was issued in 1875, in Bordentown, New Jersey to a couple named William and Kate. It was discovered by the owner of the Hope Chest Thrift Store, Pam Phelps, while she was cleaning the painting's frame. 

 

Because the paper is old and faded, Phelps hasn't been able to make out any other identifying information that would help her return the license to the couple’s family... leaving the mystery up to all of us to solve!  

 

Why was the license hidden? Was the couple’s marriage a secret? And why that painting? 

 

We love a love story with a little mystery to it … and we can’t wait to hear how this turns out.

 

 

Shop owner Pam Phelps looks at the treasure she discovered.

Screenshot taken from WWayTV3's story, linked below.

 

 

Get the full scoop in this article by Peyton Furtado for WWayTV3.

 

Update! William and Kate's great-granddaughter was found, and the license is on its way. 

 

In the meantime, 

 

Get a marriage license in Burlington County by visiting the Marriage Services site here. 

 

Order a decorative marriage certificate and create your own story, here.

 

 

• Get Ordained In New Jersey (Who Can Officiate Weddings in New Jersey?)

 

Friends and family members can officiate wedding ceremonies in New Jersey, as long as they're ordained. Becoming an ordained minister through online ordination with AMM is simple and free.

 

 

A bit of history: 

Marriage licenses got their start in the U.S. in colonial Massachusetts in the 1600s, when couples were required to make their union known to the local government. Some of the certificates were beautifully illustrated and elaborate, like the one above. Decorative marriage certificates are still very popular, and couples have many designs and styles to choose from. 

 

Some states keep meticulous marriage records. For example, in King County, Washington (where AMM is located), couples can browse marriage records going back as far as 1853. 

 

When you officiate a wedding, you become a part of history! 

 

 

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You might also like: 

 

 

• What is a Marriage Certificate? (And How to Fill One Out)
   
• What is the Difference Between a Marriage License and Marriage Certificate?

 

• Filling out a Marriage License: What religious denomination do I write down if I’m an atheist?
   

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