The below commentary is from KHB's hand written Bitting Family Lore." In the "This Certifiies" image (to the left) notice the spelling variatiion in the signature of A. J. Beidler versus the signature Nancy Biedler and the printed name of the bride, Annie M Biedler. A. J. Biedler was the oldest of Annie's brothers. Nancy - at least that how I read the signature - may have been his wife. ...wcbii

It was on the 17th day of November 1886, at 8:30 a.m. that Annie Mary Biedler and William Coleman Bitting were married at the home of Mom's brother, William T. Biedler, 94 North Calhoun Street, in Baltimore, Maryland. According to a local newspaper clipping and a small bound book entitled "Wedding Chimes" Dad's father, the Rev, C. C. Bitting of Philadelphia, performed the ceremony.

The newspaper article headed Bitting-Biedler leads off: "Conspicuous among the Home weddings of the present season in this city must be placed the of the Rev. William C. Bitting, an eloquent young preacher of the Baptist denomination, and Miss Annie M. Biedler. The marriage was celebrated at the home of the bride's brother, William T. Biedler, Esq., No. 94 North Calhoun Street. He is a popular wholesale dry goods merchant, whose name was recently and prominently connected with the Mayoralty of the city.

"The hour was 8:30 a.m., on Wednesday last, the 17th instant, and the officiating minister was the Rev. Dr. C. C. Bitting, of Philadelphia, father of the groom, and a few years since the beloved pastor of the Franklin Square Baptist Church. The wedding was strictly private, only the immediate families of the bride and groom being present, with the exception of a few of the warn personal friends of the bride's brother.

"The bride, a beautiful brunette, wore a magnificent velvet, en traine. This was exchanged immediately after the ceremony for a handsome traveling costume of brown broad-cloth, in which the lovely bride looked equally charming. From the parlors the company repaired to the dining-room, where they partook of a sumptuous wedding breakfast. The gifts were numerous and costly, and among them may be mentioned a handsome gold watch and chain from Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Biedler, a solid silver service from the Misses Bitting, and a set of superb diamonds from the groom.

"Among those who honored the festive occasion with their presence were: Mrs., S. A. Biedler, mother of the bride, who wore a rich black velvet and diamonds, Rev. C.C. Bitting and wife of Philadelphia, Misses Niriam, Ruth and Nannie Bitting of Philadelphia, ("Nannie's" name was Naomie) Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Biedler, of Washington, DC, Mrs., W. T. Biedler, the latter in a brocade velvet and satin, and diamonds, which well became her handsome face and queenly figure, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Biedler, Prof. H. H., Biedler, of the Baltimore University of Medicine, (my uncle Hubert) Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Biedler, Mr. A.L. Biedler, of Florida (uncle Ashby Lee) Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Burraker, Mr. and Mrs. S .R. Tregallas, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Witz, Mr. Claude Badgely, Mr. Willie Stinson, Misses Bell, Lelia, Edith and Flora Biedler. Masters Milton and Wilbur Biedler.

"The groom received many congratulatory telegrams during the morning, expressive of the high regard in which he is held by the members of his congregation. Upon their return from the bridal tour, Mr. and Mrs. Bitting will reside at Harlem, New York, where he has the pastoral care of a prosperous and devoted congregation."

The Richmond Dispatch, the Christian Herald and the Page County Times also carried announcements of the wedding, the latter saying: "Rev. W.C. Bitting, formerly pastor of the N.S. Baptist Church of this place, was married in Baltimore, on Wednesday last, to Miss Annie Biedler. The many friends of bride and groom in this county, wish them a pleasant sail down life's stream." The Christian Herald: "We rejoice greatly at the blessedness which has come to Rev. W.C. Bitting, one of New York's most faithful and successful pastors. And we are all the more glad because we know very well the good woman who becomes his assistant pastor."