Caroline has flowers in her hair. Charles is holding Baby Catherine on his lap.
Caroline and Charlie Get Married
A lot has happened since the Monk’s and Caroline stepped off the train a year ago almost to the day. They had boarded the Steam Ship Baltic April 14, 1914 to sail from London, England to a new life in Earlville, New York. One year later, on April 17, 1915, Caroline was preparing to step out into the adventure of a lifetime. It was her wedding day; Charlie and she were about to become husband and wife. The whole town was expected to turn out for the social event of the year. What had happened during the past year? It was simple.
It had been “love at first sight” the day Charlie drove his boss’s horse and carriage past the front of the parsonage. In fact, he had to drive by three times before Lottie Monk sent Caroline out to the front porch to sit and wait. On the fourth time, Charlie caught his first sight of Caroline. He had heard from the other men who had chanced to meet her that she was “a good looker” and had pretty hair. She was more than “a good looker” to Charlie. She was beautiful. Her hair was her crowning glory. He had to fight his shyness. He had to follow through with his plan. He had come too far to miss his chance to meet Caroline. He had no choice except to stop in front of the house and head for the porch. Caroline knew that this fellow was different from the other men who had stopped by for a visit. He was quite handsome, plus, she liked his suit. He also was driving a nice horse and carriage. She was impressed. Maybe she was blinded by love at first sight, but whatever it was, she had no idea that it he had purchased a new suit just to wear to meet her and that he was driving a borrowed horse and carriage. She assumed he owned the farm where he worked and was surprised and relieved when she learned he was the hired man. After all, she had come to America as “a living in girl” which put them on the same social level. His bright eyes and big grin caught Caroline’s attention. He had a quick wit and contagious laugh. Love came true for both as he stepped up and introduced himself as Charles Albert Augustus Peter the Great Downing. That was a great ice breaker for sure. Today, April 17, 1915, on the front lawn of Charles’ parent’s home in Pleasant Valley on Kendick Road, Caroline became Mrs. Charles Albert Downing. Her wedding was recorded as the social event for that time and place.
The next chapter in the Little Carol Stories will be a brief follow up on Charlie and Caroline’s life together and about their children, Little Carol’s father, uncles, and aunts. There is much more to come.
Faithbreak Moment
Little Carol will always remember that her grandfather insisted his name was Charles Albert Augustus Peter the Great and that we Downings were Scots, Irish and the Devil. Grandma Downing, forever English and Lady of the House, would bring us back to reality over tea while smiling over grandpa’s antics. Married life and raising a large family would not be easy but Charlie and Caroline were an inspiration to their grandchildren who grew up knowing how grand-parenting should be done. We pray that we live up to their legacy. They inspire me to remember that life is all about Jesus, God and Love. I hope to pass that legacy on to you.
When I think about Grandma and Grandpa Downing, the following scripture from The Good News Version of the Bible comes to mind:
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.
Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.
When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of me.
Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.
