Joseph A. Benton Collection

R. T. Brown E. M. Denton T. M. Lindley Edgar Mills C. L. Bird J. M. Kennedy Jas [James] Cunningham C. G. Hooker Henry R Miller L. Wilsey I. Lohman Geo. [George] W. Stewart W. H. Blauvelt Geo [George] Rowland W. F. Benchley Thos [Thomas] Gardiner L. Powers Jr. Jas [James] Whitney Chas [Charles] S. White W. Hendrie Jesse Elder Seth Kneeland Chas [Charles] Zeitler Jno. [John] Gillig Geo [George] B. Fowle T. W. Strowbridge G. H. Fish A. P. Smith S. P. Collins C. H. Grimm B. S. Nichols J. H. Carroll G. W. Moore D. W. Earl Thos [Thomas] Hill Joseph D. Lord James Caggins Blake & Co Jos. [Joseph] Klopenstine David B. Hamilton W H Hamm Moz Miller John M. Duncan G. T. Witham W. N. Brainard H. W. Harkness Cyrus T. Wheeler T. J. Blakeney R. H. McDonald Seth Babson D. W. Welty J. E. Miller D S Woodward E. E. Eyre J P. Dyer A Reddington L. Williams D. O. Mills

This Certifies [centered] That Mr. David S. Emerson and Miss Zelenda D. Henry were join-ed in marriage, by me, in the City of Sacramento, Cal., on Wed-nesday, the Fourth day of Novem-ber, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Seven.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my sign-manual.

J. A. Benton. Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Sacramento.

Sacramento June 1^st 1859 Rev. J. A. Benton D'r [Dear] Sir

At a meeting of the Church and Society over which you preside as Pastor, held May 30^th, 1859, the following persons, viz. [namely] A Reddington, N. A. H. Ball, A. C. Sweetser, Dr. McDonald, W. W. Marvin, R. B. Norman, and R. T. Brown, were – appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressing the feelings of the Society in view of your contemplated departure.

At an adjourned meeting held May 31^st – 59 [1859], the following preamble and resolutions were reported by the committee, and unanimously adopted by the Society, and a copy ordered to be transmitted to you, Whereas, The Rev. J. A. Benton is about to withdraw for a season from his charge over this congregation, and depart from California on a protracted journy [journey], as a tourist and observer, in remote foreign lands; and whereas, during a period of ten years of arduous labour and acknowledged usefulness, he has presided over the spiritual destines of this people, with a fervent love for the members of his flock, and a zeal in the cause of his Master, which never failed nor faltered; and whereas, out of the turbulence and chaos of that earlly [early] day when the pursuit of wealth drew hitherward the pioneer adventures of every clime, his pious care has shaped confusion into harmony – spread the gospel influences far and wide, and reared among us the walls of a stately temple, within whose portals multitudes assemble, to gather from his lips the tidings of salvation; and whereas, the liberal success attendant upon his ministrations has not only built up a large and flourishing congregation, but entirely retrieved them from the burden of an onerous pecuniary debt which their infant strugles [struggles] had accumulated; and whereas, his departure from this scene of his labours, where he has so long and so faithfully proved his public energy and his private worth, is regarded by this congregation –

as an almost irreparable loss, therefore

Resolved, That we cannot, without the most earnest and painful regret, sever a connection which has been so powerfully strengthened by time, endeared by association, and hallowed by the sweet influences of that gospel which our beloved pastor has through the searching test of a long experience equally enforced by precept and illustrated by example.

Resolved, That we will always cherish among our dearest recollections, the lessons of his wisdom, the charm of his converse, and the pleasing ties of his association, looking forward to the hope of a re-union [reunion] with him either here or in the blessed land of the hereafter,

Resolved, That where ever [wherever] he may wander, whatsoever fortune he may meet, he will ever more, through all the vicissitudes of joy and sorrow, bear with him our wishes and our prayers for his present happiness, future peace, and speedy and safe return to the field of his labours.

Resolved, That the foregoing be handed Rev. Mr Benton, and a copy be published in the daily papers.

Most respectfully presented Seth Babson, Clerk,

Should not these resolutions be put in the Memorial Book at the proper place and date.