Lincoln was married--he balked at the first date set for the ceremony
and did not show up at all--November 4, 1842, under most happy auspices.
The officiating clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Dresser, used the Episcopal
church service for marriage. Lincoln placed the ring upon the bride’s
finger, and said, “With this ring I now thee wed, and with all my
worldly goods I thee endow.”
Judge Thomas C. Browne, who was present, exclaimed, “Good gracious,
Lincoln! the statute fixes all that!”
“Oh, well,” drawled Lincoln, “I just thought I’d add a little dignity to
the statute.”