William M. Babcock

Mrge reg. 012391-90 Galt, Waterloo Co.
William M. Babcock, 24, bachelor, farmer, Methodist. Born Sheffield, residing Troy. Parents John and Hannah Babcock.
Theresa L. Vansickle, 24, spinster, born and residing Troy, Methodist. Parents John and Eliza 'Babcock'.
Witnesses John and Hannah Babcock of Galt.
On 24th May, 1890, at Galt. The officiant's surname was Beattie. The initial could be almost anything.

As written, both William and Teresa are shown as age 24. His parents are shown as John and Hannah Babcock. He was said to be born in Sheffield, but both are shown as resident in Troy. The registration shows her parents as John and Eliza Babcock. The first names are correct, but Babcock is a clerical error. The witnesses appear to have been his parents.

The penmanship of the clerk at Galt included sweeping flouishes and at first glance appears artistic, but closer examination shows it to be often indecipherable. Beyond that, just who the marriage 'officiant' may have been, the largest Methodist Church was, at the time, Ainslie Street Methodist, and the name Beattie does not appear on the historical roster. It's possible that he wasn't a clergyman.