Merion Genealogy
Merion Family Tree
Quaker Marriages - Members had to appear before the Monthly Meeting and publicly state their marriage intentions at two Monthly Meetings in a row. Following the first appearance, a committee would be appointed to investigate the "clearness" of the individuals to marry. If an impediment was found, the couple were not permitted to marry. Usually a couple would be privately advised not to make the attempt to "pass the meeting" if the impediment was well known or obvious. In this instance they would quietly get married by a magistrate then come & condemn their misconduct of "marriage contrary to discipline" (mcd). Following the 2nd declaration of intentions, if no impediments were found, the couple would be "liberated to marry" or allowed their freedom to accomplish the marriage.
The actual marriage ceremony was solemnized in either a public or private Meeting. According to Discipline, the gathering together of at least 12 Friends was sufficient to constitute a legal Meeting. One thus finds that document, peculiar to Quaker weddings, the marriage certificate signed by AT LEAST 12 witnesses. The signatures are usually arranged in 3 columns with the place of honor reserved for the fathers of the bride & groom at the top of the rightmost column, immediately beneath the signatures of the groom & the bride.
One should assume that, without better information, the majority of marriage ceremonies were held the same day or the day following the liberation with some held within, at most, the week following. The marriage certificates were recorded in a separate book kept by the Monthly Meeting. Additionally, the fact that the marriage occurred was recorded in the minutes at the next Monthly Meeting.
Short Version: In my opinion, a committee of fellow Quakers had to approve the marriage. Then the couple would be liberated to marry.
"Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy", Vol I-VI, 1607-1943 for Thomas Merion
MERION
1705, 1,26. Thomas ltm Rebecka Redknap