Maude Alford Ballance

GEDCOM Note

Maude was educated at Littleton College in Halifax Co., NC, having begun there the year before her father died in 1904. Her widowed mother, Ruth, had moved to Littleton prior to Maude's graduation which occured in June 1906. Marriage followed graduation.

The following wedding description is taken from The News Register, Littleton, NC, Friday, June 20th, 1906:

"That no one ever loses interest in the "divinity which doth hedge " a bride was well exemplified on the 20th at 1:30 o'clock when a large crowd assembled to witness the marriage of Miss Maud Ballance to Mr. Benjamin White Thach, of Hertford, N.C. The M.E. Church was beautifully decorated and darkened and numerous candles burned around the altar. Before the entrance of the bridal party Miss Temple Owens sang "The Little House that Love Built" and "Dreams" and the organist playe d Schubert's "Serenade."

The ushers, Messrs. Barnard Vinson and Charley Walker, entered as Miss Blanche Newsom played Mendelssohn's Grand March. They were followed by Mr. Oscar Felton of Hertford with Miss Eula Newsom, Mr. Walter Myrick with Miss Irma Johnston, Mr. Roger Lewis with Miss Daisy Harrison. Then came the groom with his best man, Mr. Edward Everett of Hertford and the bride on the arm of her aunt, Mrs. Mollie Sheehan . The bridesmaids respectively wore white chiffon dresses trimed with Valenciennes lace, and white, pink, and blue hats and gloves. The two dainty little Misses Eleanor Williams, ring bearer, and Francis Sessoms , flower girl, stood on the right and left of the officiating minister.

At the altar, the couple was met by Rev. G. B. Perry who, as the low music of "Hearts and Flowers" floated on the air of the dimly lighted church, pronounced the solemn marriage service--the entire party kneeling during prayer. The couples then left the church to the music of Mendelssohn's March.

Mr. and Mrs. Thach, accompanied by Mrs. Sheehan, left immediately for their future home in Hertford where they were tendered a reception . The bride wore a blue Taffeta silk tailor made suit with hat and gloves to match.

She was one of the brightest ornaments of Littleton society and the best wishes of many friends go with her to her new home where they hope she will live many years to gladden her new friends and fulfill the brilliant promises of that auspicious day which was both her wedding and birthday.