Ruth Sager

Mrge reg. 012455-83 Galt, Waterloo Co.
George M. Crawford, 25, bachelor, labourer. Methodist. Born and residing Beverly. Parents William Crawford and Elizabeth Ann Sager.
Ruth Sager, 19, spinster, United Brethren. Born and resiging Beverly.
Parents James Sager and Ellen Misener.
Witnesses: Thomas Col.... and James Mc......, both of Galt
On 21st February, 1883, at Galt, by Rev.J. G. Smith. By license.

Some comments:

The penmanship of Galt's town clerk of the era is an assemblage of great flourishes, which at a glance looks artistic, but which, when an attempt at deciphering is made, is found to be largely unreadable. Interpreting the above was done with the assistance of an index with rendered Ruth's maiden name as Soper, and liberal applications of intuition. Said intuition quite fails in trying to decipher the names of the witnesses.

These registration pages have room for three marriage entries in a vertical format. All three marriages were conducted by the same clergyman, Rev. J. G. Smith, who, when considering the denominational connections of the two other marriage couples, was likely a Presbyterian.

There was a Methodist church in Galt at the time, Ainslie Street, but a list of clergyman is to hand and Rev. Smith does not appear upon it. The nearest United Brethern Church was in Sheffield, a few miles outside of Galt on what would then have been sometimes referred to as the road to Dundas, though more often the tollgate road - now Nbr. 8 highway. It was and is an extension of Dundas Street in Galt.

21 February, 1883, was a Wednesday. It has been noticed - First Church Presbyterian comes to mind - that a clergyman might have older congregation members living close to hand and whom he might prevail upon at short notice to act as witnesses. If the above witnesses turn out to be family connections of the marrying couple, then they might yet be identified; if not, then they are likely members of the clergyman's congregation. Since George and Ruth were married by license, rather than by banns, then they were not likely married in the sanctuary, but, quite possibly, at the parsonage.