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- . 1779 Dec 13 - Married on Monday evening last, in this City, Colonel Elisha Lawrence of Jersey,
to Miss Becky REDMAN, second daughter of the late Joseph Redman, Esq. a young lady whose superior beauty, joined with an elegance both of person & manners, render her justly admired by all who have he pleasure of her acquaintance.
Ref: The Pennsylvania Gazette. Dec 15, 1779.
The Mrs. L. that "Watson speaks of as being old & blind was Miss Rebecca Redman, who was the Queen of the Meschianza*. She was daughter of Joseph Redman, formerly sheriff of the city, and married Col. Elisha Lawrence in December 1779; at the time of the fete she was 27 yeare old. She died Nov. 26, 1832, aged 81 years. 'Her knight was Mon. Montresor., lieutenant of Hessian Chasseurs.
Ref : Annuals of Philadelphia & Penn., p290 -
When I think of the few survivors of that gay scene who now exist, (of some whose sprightliness & beauty are gone ! ) I cannot but feel a gloom succeed the recital of the fete. I think, for instance, of one who was then "the queen of the Meschianza" since Mrs. Lawrence, now blind & fast waning from the "things that be".
To her I am indebted for many facts of illustration. She tells me that the unfortunate Major Andre [who hand arrange the fete] was the charm of the company. Lieut. Andre, his esquire, was his brother, a youth of about 19, possessing the promise of an accomplished gentleman. Major Andre & Captain Oliver Delancey painted, themselves, the chief of the decorations. The Sienna marble, for instance, on the apparent side walls, was on canvas, in the style of stage scene painting. Andre also painted the scenes used at the theatre, at which the British officers performed. The proceeds were given to the widows & orphans of their soldiers. The waterfall scene, drawn by him, was still in the building when it lately burnt. She assures me that, of all that was borrowed for the entertainment, nothing was injured or lost. They desired to pay double if accidents occurred. The general deportment of the officers was very praiseworthy therein. There were no ladies of British officers, save Miss Auchmuty, the new bride of Captain Montresor. The American young ladies present were not numerous -- not exceeding fifty. The others were married ladies. Most of our ladies had gone from the city, & what remained were of course in great demand. The American gentlemen present were aged non-combatants. Our young men were whigs generally, & were absent. …No offence was offered to the ladies afterwards, for their acceptance of this instance of an enemy's hospitality.
Reference to author was not given, but attached to document for Joseph Wharton, Quaker of Walnut Grove, PA.
Note: Meschianza was an elaborate celebration held for Sir Wm Howe on 1778 May 18, 400 British officers and elite Philadelphians embarked on a regatta down the Delaware River.,followed by the mock jousting tournament between the "Knights of the Blended Rose" and the "Knights of the Burning Mountain.This aquatic procession kicked off the Meschianza , (medley), was the climax of this social season. The guests enjoyed dancing and fireworks, & then dined in a mirrored tent. Meschianza made it an easy target for patriotic satire.
Of the Meschianza, Quaker Elizabeth Drinker wrote, "How insensible do these people appear, while our Land is so greatly desolated, and Death and sore destruction has overtaken and impends over so many."
Ref: Christian Ducomb, Rutgers University, 2015. - -
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1746 - 1832 (86 years)