In 1998, I “interviewed” my Nan Rose (Power) Mills about her childhood and early adulthood in East Jeddore, Nova Scotia. The account below is based largely on the information she provided me.
Rose Power met her future husband Alan Mills (my Grandad) when she was 16 years old. He was a friend of Sam Mitchell, who was dating Rose’s sister Edna (Poode) at the time. Rose and Alan “went together” for three years before marrying.
They were married on May 7, 1938 in the Manse of the United Church in Musquodoboit Harbour by Mr. Graham. Besides the bride and groom and the minister, there were five other people present: Rose’s parents Earl and Alice Power; Alan’s sister Belle and her husband Roy Jennex; and Alan’s friend Reg Foley who drove them over to the church.
After the official marriage ceremony, they returned to Earl and Alice’s home in East Jeddore for a wedding reception. Rose’s Uncle Fred (Baker) played the wedding march on Alice’s big organ. They received plenty of gifts and well wishes from guests. One of her favourite gifts was a “pretty pink glass bowl” given by Marsha Hopkins.
Below are some of the wedding wishes written by guests. I found these gems long forgotten in a trunk in my Grandad’s attic.
Today is the 86th anniversary of my grandparents’ wedding. Although the marriage ultimately ended, my grandparents reconciled before Grandad died of lung cancer in 1995. So, today I celebrate what sounded like a fun and happy day.
